Soap Lake "Volcano" EarthCache
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Although the name is the "Soap Lake Volcano", this is technically considered a hydrothermal vent (the physical properties make it look like a volcano). These are not uncommon, but many people do not know that one exists in Soap Lake, and that you can practically stand on it since it is so close to the surface!
Here is some information about the area you are going to. Hydrothermal vents are caused by the constant shifting of the earth's tectonic plates. When two plates start to diverge (move apart), the cracks created release gasses that are stored beneath the surface of the earth. More often than not, methane gas is emitted through these cracks, and then comes bubbling up to the surface (as is the case with this particular vent). These emissions have actually caused a lot of problems, and they have many scientists worried due to the fact that methane emissions are one of the leading causes of global warming. These particular emissions cannot be stopped, so many people are attempting to find ways of countering the effects caused by these vents.
As far as this particular area is concerned, Soap Lake is one of only a few mineral lakes found in the world. The only other lake that has a higher concentration of minerals is found in Germany, definitely making this particular body of water unique. The lake was formed when the Lake Missoula Dam burst at the end of the last Ice Age, and water came cascading through the area toward the sea. As it went, it created canyons that were pockmarked with lakes (if you travel North, you will see several other lakes formed by the same flood). Soap Lake was one of the last lakes in this chain, and therefore accumulated most of the minerals swept up by the flood, thus accounting for the high mineral density.
In order to log this cache, you must do several things.
1) You must take a boat to the listed coordinates ON A CALM DAY (DISCLAIMER! It was very difficult for me to get accurate GPS readings! The listed coordinates were the best I could come up with. If you get better coordinates, PLEASE let me know so I can update the cache!)
2) Explain what the water directly above the vent looks like, as well as the water (hopefully calm) away from the vent looks like. Why does it look like this?
3) Estimate the number of feet the top of the vent is from the surface.
4) Take a picture of yourself at the listed coordinates and attach it with your log.
5) E-mail answers 2 and 3 to me to receive credit for the cache.
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Treasures
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