Gloppedalsura EarthCache
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This unique and specatcular earthcache showcases 2 different erosion processes, glacial erosion and heaving. It is located at Gloppedalsura, or Gloppedal Scree in English, Northern Europe's largest scree. The site also sports a unique art project and historical significance.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH EARTHCACHE RULES, THE LOG OF ANY CACHER WHO FAILS TO MEET THE BELOW REQUIREMENTS MAY BE DELETED BY THE CACHE OWNER.
Terminal moraines mark the maximum advance of the glacier. An end moraine is at the present boundary of the glacier. Moraines that used to be end moraines but are no longer at the current end of the glacier due to glacial recession are called recessional moraines. Lateral moraines run parallel to the axis of the glaciers movement.
Terminal moraines are created at the edge of the greatest extent of the glacier. At this point, the debris that has been accumulated by plucking and abrasion and has been pushed by the front edge of the ice is driven no farther, but instead is dumped in a heap. Because the glacier acts very much like a conveyor belt, the longer it stays in one place, the greater the amount of material that will be deposited. The moraine is left as the marking point of the terminal extent of the ice.
A process called frost heaving, in which moisture penetrates cracks pores, and other voids in rocks, as the water eventually freezes and expands it breaks the rocks into smaller pieces. This process frees the rocks from the sides of the mountains forming a scree field or talus slope at the base of crags, mountain cliffs or valley shoulders. The maximum inclination of such deposits corresponds to the angle of repose of the mean debris size.
The term scree comes from the Old norse term for landslide: skriða. Talus comes from French.
The term scree is sometimes used interchangeably with talus, though scree refers to small rocks, like mixed size gravel and loose as dirt (e.g., anything smaller than a human fist), while talus can refer to rocks larger than scree.[2] Going downhill on sturdy boots one is often able to slip-slide down a scree slope. Uphill takes more effort because one tends to slide a bit with every step. Talus is easier for stepping up, but not suitable for sliding down.
For mountaineers screes may pose a danger. In a similar way, gravity causes an almost constant scree inclination by the impulse of falling rocks.
The above has been taken and adapted from Wikipedia.org.
These two processes can form very different shaped rocks. Moraines tend to contain rounded rocks while screes tend to be angular.
Gloppedalsura is about 1 hour's drive from Stavanger, Norway on the boundary between Gjesdal Kommune and Berkreim Kommune, though at the time the road was built the area to the north of the the scree appears to have been art of Forsand Kommune according to the stone boundary marker across the road from the parking lot. Parking is free on site. There is no walking required outside of a gravel parking lot to claim this cache, but the terrain rises to level 5 difficulty immediately upon leaving the parking area or road.
Lodging and dining are vailable in the immediate area at Byrkjedalstunet, the local tourist trap. Outdoor recreation and winter sport areas can be found with in an hour at Sirdal east on RV44 and with in 30 minutes at Stavtjørn to the southeast off of 503. The scree is spectacular year round, but the narrow winding roads in the area, especially those ascending the scree require great care and proper tires and equipment in winter conditions, which can last into April.
For specific details about Gloppedasura, visit:
(visit link)
This webpage is in english but can be change to various other languages using the flag icons on the upper left side of the page.
Similar info is also available on the historical markers on site.
To claim this cache:
1) (Optional) Post photographic proof of visit such as you or your GPS on site.
2) Send a message to cache organizer answering the following questions:
a) Which term do you feel is more accurate for the formation, scree or talus, and why?
b) Describe the nature of the New Stone at Gloppedalsura (Extra points for proof of finding it) or name the performance art project held in there in connection with the Stavanger 2008 European Capital of Culture celebration?
c) What other historic event took place at this site and what was the date of said event? See plaque on the southwestern edge of the parking area.
d) Provide one fact that you found most interesting from the description on line or on site.
e) Which came last the glacial activity or the frost heaving? The results of which process are most obvious from the parking lot?
(visit link)
IN ACCORDANCE WITH EARTHCACHE RULES, THE LOG OF ANY CACHER WHO FAILS TO MEET THE ABOVE REQUIREMENTS MAY BE DELETED BY THE CACHE OWNER.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
uggc://jjj.iveghnygbhevfg.pbz/geniry/Rhebcr/Abejnl/Ebtnynaq/Fgninatre-211953/Guvatf_Gb_Qb-Fgninatre-Tybccrqnyfhen-OE-1.ugzy
Treasures
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