Be prepared for extreme temperatures in the summer above 100 degrees and in the winter below freezing. The Valley of Fire began as sand dunes more than 150 million years ago during the Jurassic Period. Sand dunes are hills of sands build by aeolian processes. When the sand is buried and the individual grains are cemented together, it turns into sandstone. The sandstone in the park is part of the fine-grained Aztec sandstone. Fine sand is like a cutting tool. When the wind blows it around in the air, it works like a sandblast against the rocks. Because of the sparse vegetation and the large amount of sand, crossbedding (lines in the rock) can occur. The Beehives here display a multi-directional (crosshatching) erosional force. Some of the rocks show a surface called “desert varnish.” Desert varnish is a dark, somewhat shiny stain found on desert rocks that have been exposed for a long time. Manganese and iron oxides, hydroxides, and clay minerals form most of these varnishes. Seeping water from the ground oxidizes the rocks providing a vivid reddish color to the Beehives.
Wind erosion is not the only type of erosion seen in the park. Chemical dissolution, freezing, and thawing resulting in expansion of surfaces as well as strong desert thunderstorms create changes in the rock.
Logging requirements:
Send me a message (preferred) or an email with answers to the following questions.
1. Count how many crosshatches are between the top of the cave at the bottom of the beehive (at the given coordinates) and 30 inches up from the cave (it's fewer than 10 and greater than 5). A tape measure is the best way to complete this logging requirement.
2. Explain how you think a cave might be formed in the sandstone.
3. Take a picture of yourself or your signature item at a beehive other than the one you have to count the crosshatches at.
Please Note:
1. You must answer all the questions in your email to me and post all picture(s) with your log.
2. Your logging this cache and sending me the email should happen at around the same time.
3. Begin your email with the name and geocaching code of this Earthcache, your name(s), and the number of people in your group.
Failure to comply with the above will result in your log being deleted!
The above information was compiled from the following sources:
1. Fiero, William. Nevada’s Valley of Fire: The Story Behind the Scenery. KC Publications, Nevada. 2008.