EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
Select a rock section. Post a picture of the rock section you have selected. A minimum of five rocks should be clearly visible.
1. MESSAGE …. Identify the rocks (sedimentary-igneous-metamorphic) in the selection you have chosen. Go from Left to Right beginning at the Top. Label them A-B-C-D-E ….
2. MESSAGE …. Explain, using specific characteristics, why you identified each rock as sedimentary or igneous or metamorphic. The rock key will help with this task. ... Rock Key
3. LOG …. Post a picture at or near the coordinates. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THE ROCK CYCLE
The Rock Cycle illustrates how rocks continually change form. There are three basic types of rocks, and each of these rocks can be changed into any one of the other types. The names of the rock types refer to the way the rocks are formed.
cementation - compaction – crystallization – deposition – erosion – heat – magma - melting – pressure - sediment - weathering
sedimentary rock - igneous rock - metamorphic rock
IGNEOUS ROCKS (formed from fiery molten magma)
Igneous rocks are formed from magma, the molten form of the earth’s mantle layer. Igneous rocks can form above ground as lava spewing from volcanoes. Igneous rocks can also form below the surface. Pockets of magma get stuck in layers of the earth. As they get closer and closer to the surface, the magma slowly cools.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS (formed by weathering)
Sedimentary rocks form from small weathered particles of other rocks or the weathered shells of sea animals. Wind and rain beating on the faces of exposed rock wear off particles that are blown or washed to a new location. When sea creatures die, the shells settle on the bottom of the ocean. As the sediments pile up, they press together to form sedimentary rock.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS (formed under intense heat and pressure)
Metamorphic rocks form under intense heat and pressure. Metamorphic rocks start out as igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks or other types of metamorphic rocks. Through heat and/or pressure, the rocks change characteristics such as sheen, tightness of grain and hardness.
CHESTNUT RIDGE
Two rock sentinels stand at the entrance to CHESTNUT RIDGE COUNTY PARK. These rock columns are made from all three types of rocks - Sedimentary/Igneous/Metamorphic.
The topography of this park varies from its lowest point where the creek cuts deep into a gorge through a layer of greenish-gray rock called Hanover Shale to the top of the Sledding Hill.
Chestnut Ridge was named by early settlers of the region for the wealth of Great Chestnut trees on the hills. The park is approximately 1213 acres. The structural foundation of the parks Adirondack shelters are composed of converted timber from the diseased Great American Chestnut trees.
Eternal Flame Falls Earthcache (GC10VMY) is also located in this park. Many enjoy sharing a day in this beautiful park with their four-legged friends.
RESOURCES
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/images/lithosphere/rock_cycle.gif
http://www.minsocam.org/msa/collectors_corner/id/rock_key.htm
http://www.rocksandminerals4u.com/
http://www.beyondbooks.com/ear82/7.asp
http://www.rockhounds.com/rockshop/rockkey/index.html
http://www.charliechestnut.org/Phase1/KnowledgeMap.html
Charlie Chestnut http://www.charliechestnut.org/
Charlie Chestnut http://www.acf.org/charlie.php