Inspiration Peak EarthCache
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A state wayside with an incredible view.
The Alexandria Moraine Complex forms the western and southern boundary of this subsection. The eastern boundary was delineated based on general landform boundaries and the separation of lands dominated in the past by northern hardwoods from lands dominated by conifer or aspen-birch forest.
Steep slopes, high hills and lakes formed in glacial end moraines and outwash plains characterize this subsection. Presettlement vegetation included maple-basswood forests interspersed with oak savannas, tallgrass prairies, and oak forests. Much of this region is currently farmed. Where lakes are present, tourism is common.
Ice stagnation moraines, end moraines, ground moraines, and outwash plains are major landforms present in this subsection. Kettle lakes are numerous, both on moraine and outwash deposits (Albert 1993). Parent material is primarily calcareous glacial till and outwash sediments. The glacial till is calcareous loamy sediment deposited by the last major glaciation (Wisconsin age).
The Alexandria Moraine forms a high ridge that is the headwaters region of many rivers and streams flowing east and west. The drainage network is young and undeveloped throughout this subsection. Major rivers include the Chippewa, the Long Prairie, the Sauk, and the Crow Wing rivers. The Mississippi River forms a portion of the east boundary. The Continental Divide splits this subsection. North of the divide, water eventually flows into Hudson Bay. South of the divide, water flows into the Mississippi River system. The subsection has numerous lakes, with over 400 lakes greater than 160 acres in size. The majority of these are present on end moraines and pitted outwash plains.
To gain credit for this cache please email me the answers to these questions:
What Noble Prize winning novelist was inspired here?
What was the name of the glacial lobe that formed the Leaf Hills that Inspiration Peak is a part of?
Who presented the idea of an Ice Age to the scientific community in 1837?
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Znl fher gb uvxr gb gur gbc sbe na vaperqvoyr ivrj.