Bunmahon Geological Garden EarthCache
Bunmahon Geological Garden
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Welcome to the Bunmahon
Geological Garden
This is a part of the Copper Coast Geopark. Here you will find
samples of the rocks that form the foundation of the Copper
Coast.
This garden reflects the variety of environments, which emplaced
over 460 million years. The rocks illustrate the closure of
an ocean, the subsequent volcanism, the collision of two continents
leading to the creation of Ireland, the installation of a desert
with large rivers’ deposits and the effect of the glaciers
during the Ice Age.
 |
Mudstones (sedimentary rock)
Mudstones originated as very fine muds and deposited about 460
million years ago on the floor of a deep ocean, close to the South
Pole. Sometimes, pale grey bands, about 2cm wide, are visible
within the dark mudstones. These bands reflect the layering of
coarser material created as the sediments were deposited. You can
also see another type of layering within the mudstones: a very fine
sheeting, along which, rocks similar to these may be split to form
slate. This sheeting was created by extreme pressure during the
collision of two continents 400 million years ago.
Mudstones can be found in Stradbally Cove, Ballyvooney Cove,
Knockmahon Strand, Boatstrand Harbour, Benvoy Strand and
Kilfarrasy. |
 |
Andesite (igneous rock)
Andesite is a green coloured, volcanic rock similar in composition
to basalt. It forms a very “runny” type of lava, molten
at about 800°C. Such lavas are normally extruded in the earliest
stages of the formation of a volcano. The rock is rich in iron and
magnesium minerals, which give it its green colour. It also
contains distinct blobs and veins of a pale yellowish green,
calcium and iron rich mineral, epidote, and white to greyish white
glassy quartz.
Andesite can be found in Stradbally Cove, Ballyvooney Cove (low
tide only), east of Ballydwane Bay and at Stage Cove (east end of
Bunmahon). |
 |
Limestone (edimentary rock)
Limestone forms in the sea from the accumulation of broken and/or
pulverised shells of shellfish. The material slowly accumulates as
layer upon layer of lime rich mud, frequently containing complete
or broken fragments of shellfish. The limestone visible along the
Copper Coast is an unusual and rare type. It formed under
relatively cold water conditions, during a pause between two
distinct volcanic eruption events, and it is much older (at about
455 million years old) than the vast areas of limestone
(“Carboniferous”, 350 to 300 million years old) which
underlie much of central Ireland.
Limestone is best exposed around Dunabrattin Head, and at Lady
Elizabeth’s Cove, Tramore. It occurs also along Knockmahon
Strand and in the western part of Kilfarrasy Strand. |
 |
Rhyolite (igneous rock)
Rhyolite is treacly lava, produced during the “old age”
phase of volcanic activity. It solidifies quickly from lava (molten
at about 600°C). Much richer in silica than the andesite, it is
prone to explosive disruption creating vast clouds of ash and
fragments – like Vesuvius or Mt. St Helens. Rhyolite is
usually grey to cream coloured but can also be multicoloured,
ranging from raspberry red to orange, yellow and white, reflecting
the alteration caused by very hot fluids moving through the rock.
The alteration process can change mineral compositions, as well as
colours. Here, the various colours reflect oxidation of iron.
Alteration is also commonly associated with mineral rich veins and
was eagerly sought by old time prospectors and miners as a guide to
mineralisation.
Rhyolite can be found in Knockmahon Strand, Benvoy Strand,
Annestown, Dunhill and Kilfarrasy Strand. |
The TimePath
Another feature of the geological garden is the TimePath. It will
guide you through the immensity of geological time as each slab
represents a major step in Earth history and Life evolution.
The geological garden was created in xxxx (by Bunmahon Heritage
Society with supported of Waterford Leader Partnerships and
Waterford County Council) and upgraded in 2006 by the Copper Coast
geopark Ltd to raise awareness of geology.
To get credit log this earthcache, please send the answers to
follwing questions:
1. When was the geological garden created?
2. What is the number standing on the first time panel (the panel
which told you the start of the solar system?
3. On the informationboard at the entrance oft the park you can see
4 different kinds of prehistoric animals. What are the species of
this 4 animals.
Please wait for the credit to log your found.
A Photo from you at the place will be nice, but is not necessary
for the log-permission. Groups are not allowed to log altogether,
every member of the group have to send a own eMail to get credit
und have to take an own picture of him.
Logs without credit and logs from groups will be deleted without
request.
Visit also the webside of the coppercoast
geopark .
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)