Mermaid's Table EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

rainbowtree: DO NOT post a log to this cache.
If you choose to disregard CO's request and log this archived cache, be sure you have the following ...
1. Pics at the required coordinates with you or your signature item as verification of visit.
2. All questions completely/thoughtfully answered.
A special thank you to those who completed all the requirements as requested -and- added the Journeys to your log.

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Hidden : 10/27/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


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:

1. MESSAGE :-) or EMAIL …. What is the diameter of Mermaid’s Table?

2. MESSAGE :-) or EMAIL …. As you walk along this beach, choose a rock that is especially interesting to you. Name your rock.

3. MESSAGE :-) or EMAIL …. Most of the shale you see is in horizontal layers. Explain (scientific or creative) what you think caused the circular formation of Mermaid’s Table.

OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in finding and creating this earthcache by adding A B C to your log.

A. Post a picture at or near the posted coords. This picture is your log signature verifying that you were at the earthcache.

B. 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.

C. 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 ... prose / story / poem / picture. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.

OPTIONAL - HALL OF FAME
Visit another beach. ... a. Post the coordinates and your picture at this beach. ... b. COMPARE – Explain how the two beaches are similar. ... c. CONTRAST – Explain how the two beaches are different.

Thank you clayshaper for finding this location and for your help developing this earthcache.






WENDT BEACH

Wendt Beach, located in the town of Evans NY, exhibits black shale banks, terraces and circular formations not found at beaches to the north (Hamburg Town Beach) and south (Bennett Beach).

The black shale has been formerly identified as Geneseo shale (1), but more recent research has established that Geneseo shale does not extend to extreme Western N.Y. (2 …. Figure 3-3) The shale exposed at Wendt Beach is part of an outcrop belt of Upper Devonian Rhinestreet Shale of the West Falls Group. (3)(4) The Rhinestreet deposition extends to the south at deepening subsurface levels until it is more than 1100m below ground level at the New York – Pennsylvania border. (3)

Black shales are low in fossil content. The prevailing view (see http://www.shale-mudstone-research-schieber.indiana.edu/devonian-black-shales.htm for a technical argument to the contrary), is that these depositions occurred at periods of high sea level, causing the ocean floor to be deficient in oxygen. These anoxic or even euxinic (anoxic-sulfidic) bottom waters (5) were unable to support most forms of life. Despite the lack of recognizable fossil traces in black shale, it is high in settled organic content and is considered a petroliferous shale. (6)

Fissility refers to the property of mudstones to split along layers, more or less parallel to the plane of bedding, thus becoming described as shales. The fissility of the weathered shale is easily observed on the low banks along the southern half of the park. It breaks away in thin layers which are often separated by fine crystals containing iron pyrite. The pyrite is the source of the iron oxide which disguises the black shale with a rusty brown coating. (1) Fissility is also related to deep-water deposition. When there is little bioturbation to disturb the horizontal arrangement of settling particles, distinct layering increases. (7)

MERMAID’S TABLE

Most of the shale you see is in horizontal layers. However, there are several of these circular formations evident along this beach. Creative names were given to unique rocks by the locals and visitors. Mermaid’s Table, Penny Rock, and Totem Rock are just a few.




SHAREN’S STONE

Clayshaper and I were enjoying a pleasant walk along this beach when we met a local resident (Jim) and his four-legged companion (Jackie). We began chatting and an interesting story emerged. The beautiful rock you see in the picture below is where all the local kids have their picture taken. One day, however, this rock disappeared. Sharen (Jim’s wife) made numerous calls expressing her displeasure. Soon afterwards, as mysteriously as the rock disappeared, it reappeared. If you wish, take a picture resting atop Sharen’s Stone and post your photo. Sharen is the founder of the Great Lakes Sweep, a beach clean-up effort from Presque Isle to Lake Ontario. This event is held on the 3rd Saturday in September and has been occurring for the past 23 years. Way to go Sharen!



RESOURCES
These were the original links used. Some are no longer active.

(1) Grabeau, Amadeus, Geology and Palaeontology of Eighteen Mile Creek and the Lake Shore Section, of Erie County, New York. Originally published in two volumes by the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences 1898-1899. Facsimile Edition published by the Hamburg Natural History Society (Hamburg, N.Y.), 1994.
(2) http://www.searchanddiscovery.net/documents/2007/07022lash/index.htm
(3) http://www.searchanddiscovery.net/documents/2006/06083lash/index.htm
(4) http://www.searchanddiscovery.net/documents/2006/06098lash02/images/02.htm
(5) http://www.cat.iniat.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=13739965
(6) http://jsedres.sepmonline.org/cgi/reprint/74/1/110.pdf
(7) http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119664903/abstract?CRETRY=1& SRETRY=0

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