Oak ridges Moraine Earthcache EarthCache
Hidden : 12/4/2008
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

-- THIS IS AN EARTHCACHE, READ BELOW FOR LOGGING REQUIREMENTS --


PLEASE NOTE: you must have a GPS that can generate elevation maps to perform the requirements for this Earthcache.


The Moraine Today


The Oak ridges Moraine is one of Southern Ontarios most significant geological landforms making up 1900 square kilometers of hilly terrain between Peterburough and Caledon. From the Niagra escaprment it flows east 160km to Rice Lake.

The "Moraine" itself is defined as 4 elevated wedges; Albion wedge, Uxbridge wedge, Pontypool Wedge and the Rice Lake Wedge. Each wedge was formed at different stages in the history of the moraine, the oldest being in the west, and generally getting younger as they move east.


The different wedges of the moraine


The Kettle Lakes, bogs, wetlands and streams of the moraine make up the headwaters of over 30 main rivers in the area, flowing to Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe and Rice Lake. The porous nature of the unorganized soils in the area acts as a sponge and a filter, creating clean headwaters and unique ecosystems and microclimates along the ridges. The aquifers are a source of drinking water for over 200 thousand people in numerous smaller communities in the moraine, and government action over the last 20 years has attempted to slow expansion of industry and subdivisions into the moraine itself.

Flowing Rivers are actually rare on the moraine, since the soil is so permeable most of the rain or meltwater flows underground rather then on the surface. Kettle lakes (such as Lake Wilcox in Richmond Hill) are common in the Moraine capture water rather then allowing it to run off the surface. As water permeates the surface it runs into less permeable soil, and begins moving sideways. Springs and wetlands in the areas surrounding the moraine are a result of the water escaping from the ground in this manner.

Moraine Water Filtering process


The Oak ridges moraine formed about twelve thousand years ago during retreat (and occassional expansion) of Glaciers in the area. The region that now forms the moraine was sandwiched between a two large lobes of the Laurentide Glacier, the Simcoe lobe, and the Ontario Lobe (covering their respective lakes), and the Niagara Escarpment which acted as a "Cuesta", or Glacial-guide. As these lobes expanded and contracted, they acted like gigantic bulldozers pushing soil up, and depositing it here. As a result, most of the geology in the area is known as "Diamicton" - very poorly organized and sorted sediment. Rocks and soil from all over south and central ontario were deposited here as the glaciers retreated, and then tossed like a salad again as the glaciers advanced.


Moraine Formation during the ice age


TO LOG THIS CACHE:

This Cache can also be done anywhere along the Oak ridges trail. For more information and maps, visit: The Oak Ridges Trail Association The posted coordinates are for a good parking area in the middle of the Moraine landscape with good trails for an elevation profile. I encourage you to visit ANY section of the over 200km of Oak ridges Trail to log this cache.

1. Find a section of trail that is atleast 1km long (either from the posted coordinates or along the Oak ridges moraine trail) . Reset your GPS Elevation map, and record the walk along the trail. Post your elevation map (either screenshot or picture of GPS screen) along with your log.
2. Post a picture of yourself along with characteristic "hilly" terrain along the trail - Post with Found Log
3. Using a map, find the nearest river or stream from the route that you walked. Using maps of the region, determine which rivers it takes, and which body of water it eventually empties into. Post the names of the rivers, with an estimate of how long the path to the nearest lake is with Found log.
4. Post a start point, and an end point, along with distance travelled in your found log.



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