Well or Spring? EarthCache
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11.8.12 Updated coords with actual coords for the Earthcache since parking coords were in a DNR property that does not allow any "container-less: caches. Best parking is at Bluff RD. park and walk down the staircase to the Earthcache so you do not park on or enter DNR property while doing the earthcache.
Welcome to the Merom Bluffs. Merom is a small town in Sullivan County and county seat from 1819-1842. Merom was an important river port and a stop on the stage route known as The Old Harrison Trail. Merom has two main attractions, Bluff Park overlooking the Wabash River and the Merom Conference Center, A retreat, conference center and summer camp of the Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ. The Merom Bluff Chautauqua , 1905-1936 was held in the park on top of the bluffs, there is a Historical Marker that states "Organized nationally to bring culture to rural communities. Merom's 10 day religious and educational event featured concerts, debates, plays, and lectures. Carrie Nation, William Jennings Bryan, William H. Taft, Warren Harding, and Billy Sunday were among the speakers here." The Chautauqua is still held toady but is only 3 days.
The Bluff Park in Merom is the site of the type locality of the Merom Sandstone. The Merom Sandstone comprises approximately the upper 55 feet of the bluff's consolidated rock, and was deposited during the Pennsylvanian Period as part of the Mattoon Formation. The Merom Sandstone rests directly on top of the 2–3 feet thick Livingston Limestone (Bond Formation) at the Bluff Park. The irregular surface between the Livingston Limestone and the Merom Sandstone indicates the presence of a geological unconformity at the top of the Livingston Limestone.
The sandstone ranges from 10 to 35 feet (3 to 11 m) in thickness at most exposures and is not known to exceed a thickness of 40 feet (12 m). The Merom Sandstone Member consists of two distinct lithologies: an upper crossbedded medium- to coarse-grained sandstone and a lower conglomerate that is gray to brown and composed of a mixture of rounded to subrounded pebbles of limestone, coal, and clay cemented with calcium carbonate. In Indiana the Merom is recognized only near its type area in Sullivan County and in the Mumford Hills area in Posey County.
When the porous rock layers shift in the Earth. There could be a confining layer of less porous rock both above and below the porous layer. This is an example of a confined aquifer. The rocks surrounding the aquifer confine the pressure in the porous rock and its water. If a crack develops in the aquifer, the internal pressure could be enough to push the water up the surface without the aid of a pump. This is called an artesian well. The pressure of water from an artesian well can be quite dramatic. Here are some Hydrology terms: Artesian Aquifer -- an aquifer that has pressure built up inside. This pressure is the result of the recharge area of the aquifer being at a higher level than the rest of the aquifer region. The force of gravity pulls the higher water down, which creates extra pressure inside the aquifer. This is why artesian wells flow by themselves; the pressure forces the water out of the well. Confining Bed -- a layer of ground that resists water penetration. This layer is typically finer textured and denser than the above layers of soil. Confining beds can keep water from seeping to unreachable depths but can also prevent water from reaching aquifers. Consolidated Rock -- rock that contains very few holes or cracks for water to get through. An example of unconsolidated rock is gravel. Consolidated rock can serve as a confining bed. Flowing Artesian Well -- a well that has penetrated into an artesian aquifer. Artesian aquifers have pressure built up within themselves. This pressure results from a portion of the aquifer being at a higher elevation as shown in the figure. The pressure is released when a well is bored into it. This causes the well to flow spontaneously. Non-flowing Artesian Well -- a non-flowing artesian well occurs when the pressure is not great enough to force the water out of the well. In this diagram, this is apparent because the flowing artesian well is at a lower elevation than the non-flowing artesian well Recharge Area -- an area that allows water to enter the aquifer. It is particularly vulnerable to any pollutants that could be in the water. Also, if pavement is constructed over the recharge area, less water can enter the aquifer. This could mean a water shortage to those people using the groundwater from the aquifer. Spring -- occurs when the water table is higher than the ground surface. Pressure forces the water out of the land at a weak point that creates the spring. Water Table -- the level at which the water stays. It is the very top of the zone of saturation. A few centimeters above this level water can also be found due to capillary action. In the presence of a pumping well, the water table will drop around the well. This is called draw down. Under some conditions, a perched water table may exist. This occurs when the water percolation is interrupted by another confining layer above the "main" one. Water Table Aquifer -- an aquifer that supports the water table. The top limit to this aquifer is the water table itself. Cache is not at the posted coords. They are for the parking. Park and walk back up a little and its on the right next to the bottom of the steps. 1. Is this a spring or an Artesian Well? 2. The irregular surface between what 2 layers indicates the presence of a geological unconformity? and could this be the space the water escapes? And why?
3. What is the flow rate? Use a known container size and see how long it takes to fill it. 4. What is the temperature of the water flowing out? 5. (optional) Post a picture of you and your GPSr filling your container. Sources: http://meteor.pwnet.org/index.htm
Mattoon Formation by Wier and Gray (1961)
Wikipedia
Indiana Geological Survey
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