Granite `TOR` Formation: Granite is formed by the forcing of lava into the Earths crust, commonly known as `magmatic intrusion`. Over a long period of time slow cooling in conjunction with depth & pressure changes alter the structure of the rock and large crystals of Quartz, Feldspar and Mica form. The granite is also subject to fracturing during the cooling process with both vertical and horizontal joints forming. Again over time, overlaying rock strata is eroded away allowing further joint formation and subsequent susceptibility to erosional processes known as `weathering`. The granite may eventually reach the Earths surface and the structure is known as a `TOR`.
Intrusion of granite in Cornwall and subsequent tor formation started around 280 million years ago. Men Amber Rock is part of the Carmenellis granite intrusion.
What is a Logan Stone? This is a rock or stone, which has been placed on top of larger rock and is able to `rock` or move when pushed.
These `rocking` stones are many thousands of years old and have considerable historical and religious significance. They were often used in Cornwall to make vows because it was said that “no one with treachery in their heart could make one rock”. Men Amber Rock was toppled from its tor in 1650 when a man called Srubsall, then Governor of Pendennis Castle, Falmouth under Oliver Cromwell, decided to push the rock off it`s seat. It is said that this came about due to one of Merlin`s prophecies: “that Men Amber would stand until England had no king”. Rev. Dr. William Stukeley wrote: “Main Ambres; petrae ambrosiae, signify the stones anointed with holy oil, consecrated; or in a general sense, a temple, altar or places or worship”. In 1754 William Borlase in his book, Antiquities of Cornwall suggested that Men Amber Rock was dislodged because “the vulgar used to resort to this place at particular times of the year, and paid to this rock more respect than was thought becoming to good Christians”.
In recent years Men-Amber Rock has been used as a site for a religious service on the date of Sithney Feast.
PLEASE NOTE: I CANNOT ACCEPT JOINT ANSWERS FROM GROUPS OF GEOCACHERS NOR JOINT PHOTOS AS I DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO SORT OUT WHO HAS SENT WHAT FOR WHOM!. IF YOU WANT TO LOG MY EARTHCACHE PLEASE EXTEND ME THE COURTESY OF MESSENGING ME YOUR OWN ANSWERS INDIVIDUALLY AND ADD A PHOTO TO YOUR OWN LOG. THANK YOU
To log your visit you must complete a task:
1. Optional - Take a photo of Men Amber Rock from the public footpath with you holding your GPSr in the foreground and upload this to your log entry.
2. MESSAGE me the answers to the following question. Do not put them on the `logged it` page. Metric or Imperial is acceptable.
a. Estimate the height, length and width of Men Amber Rock.
WARNING: You can climb up onto the rock but be careful as it is very easy to slip on the granite, particularly when wet.
Getting to the outcrop requires a walk of approximately one mile from the nearest road. However, a public footpath runs along the actual edge of the stones.
Good luck and enjoy the fantastic views and scenery!
YOU MUST LOG AT THE SAME TIME AS SENDING ME YOUR ANSWERS VIA A GEOCACHING MESSAGE. If you can`t do both at the same time then wait until you can, otherwise I will just delete your LOG and you will have to do it all again as I DO NOT have the time to chase after you. AND be warned, I do check every one! Unfortunately, a few geocacher`s try to log the earthcache without completing the task and so I will maintain the right as the earthcache owner to delete any logs that do not fulfill the requirements or I entries that I believe to be false. I will ONLY contact you if there is a problem AND I will delete any logs for which I don`t receive answers or LOGS that I believe to be false.
This is No 6 in Snake Plissken`s Lizard Peninsula Earthcache Series!
IT`S NORMALLY VERY MUDDY UP TO THE CACHE, SO WEAR YOUR WELLIES!!!!!
SNAKE PLISSKEN -