Geology on Waukesha's Lake Country Trail EarthCache
Geology on Waukesha's Lake Country Trail
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This EARTHCACHE is along Waukesha's Lake Country Trail; park near where the trail crosses Elmhurst Rd. N 43 03.438 W 88 19.605; winter parking restrictions may apply. After much rain an inch or more of water may be at the site.
DURING the Silurian Period, about 443 to 417 million years ago, a vast, shallow sea covered this area. The maximum thickness of Silurian rock in Wisconsin is 620 feet. During this Age of Coral the coral reefs attracted bryozoans, crinoids, small shelled animals and gastropods, trilobites, primitve fish, cephalopods, sea scorpions, and millipedes. From them was formed Wisconsin's most resistant Paleozoic rock, the Silurian dolomite, which is a sedimentary feature.
IN eastern Wisconsin the 230 mile long north-south band of Silurian rock is mainly covered by material deposited from glacial activity. Thus active and inactive quarries provide excellent views of Silurian rock units. Numerous buildings throughout the area also display this beautiful rock which is the bedrock of the more eastern part of the state.
AS you return on the trail careful observation on both sides will reveal more Silurian rock. It has only a scant cover of material from the glacier. Thanks to the railroad wanting a level bed, you can walk through this shallow cut and view bedrock where it was formed well over 400 million years ago.
EARTHCACHE INFORMATION: Bring a yardstick, camera, and perhaps a calculator. To receive credit for this EarthCache please do the following requirements:
1. Using your GPS and visual observation locate this geologic feature along the south side of the trail. a) Take a PICTURE of your GPS with this feature (and you/group if possible)and enter it with your "found it log." As of 1/1/11 photos are optional but appreciated.
b) e-mail me the answers to the questions below.
2. (MEASURE) The height of the exposed geologic feature is _______ ______; the maximum thickness of this geologic feature in Wisconsin is _______ _____. Therefore, your measurement is ______ per cent of the maximum.
3. During the Silurian Period (_______ to _______ ________ years ago a vast, _______ ____ covered this area. Deposition of ancient sea animals such as ______ and _________ helped build this sedimentary bedrock.
You do NOT have to wait for confirmation from me before logging your find. Please do not make any reference to these answers in your log.
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