Split Rock's other Split Rock EarthCache
Hidden : 9/17/2009
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

This EarthCache will bring you to Split Rock Park located 5 miles southwest of Fredericksburg Iowa.

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This EarthCache will introduce you to a couple of ancient travelers for which Split Rock Park derives its name.

But, what are these, and how exactly did they get here?

What you see here is are glacial erratics.

A glacial erratic is a piece of rock, in this case granite, that deviates from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests; the name "erratic" is based on the errant location of these boulders. These rocks were carried to their current locations by glacial ice, often over hundreds of miles. Erratics can range in size from pebbles to large boulders such as Big Rock in Alberta. Big Rock in Alberta weighs 16500 tons...that is one big rock!

Glacial erratics in Iowa are not difficult to identify. The vast majority are igneous or metamorphic rocks, rather than the usual sedimentary rocks of sandstone, limestone, dolomite, and shale that constitute the bedrock under most of Iowa. If you pick up a granite rock, composed of interlocking crystals of pink feldspar and glassy quartz, you can be sure it is not native and that it came from outside the state, most likely carried by glacial ice, such is the case here at Split Rock Park.

The most recent glaciation occurring 14,000-12,500 years ago when what is now called the Des Moines Lobe of the Wisconsin ice shield reached its furthest south near what is now Des Moines, Iowa..

To receive credit for this EarthCache, you will need to complete the following two tasks:

In an email to me-

1. Using what you know of the concepts of volume and density, please tell me the EXACT combined weight of these two rocks.

And

2. Photos are fun and further proof that you have actually been to this spring site.If you would like, please upload a photo of you and/or your group with a GPS at the above coordinates and the rocks in the background.
(See example below)


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I'd like to thank Dave Sedivec of the Chickasaw County Conservation Board for allowing me to develop this EarthCache in Split Rock Park.

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