Was That a Slip or a Dip in Red Wing? EarthCache
Was That a Slip or a Dip in Red Wing?
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The posted coordinates will bring you to an informational sign at the top of the stairs near the trailhead of Barn Bluff Park. This plaque details another unique feature of Barn Bluff ~ the famous and colorful Dip-Slip Fault Line seen on the SW side of the bluff at the junction of the busy highways.
*** You CANNOT access a view of the vertical fault line from the trails of the park from this side. You will need to drive to the waypoint(s) listed below to see this spectacular Fault Line to complete this EarthCache.
Several hundred million years of history are compressed into the rocky strata of Barn Bluff. The bedrock layers of Cambrian sandstone, siltstone, and shale at its base change slightly over halfway to the top into Ordovician sandstone and dolomite. These flat-lying sediments record the advance, retreat, environment and life of the early Paleozoic seas. The dolomites indicate deep quiet water. The sandstones indicate shallow turbulent water. The greenish Franconia sandstone indicates an oxygen-deficient environment. The siltstones contain occasional trilobites and primitive marine arthropods.
These colorful changes in the sedimentary layers serve to highlight one of Barn Bluff’s most interesting features, a Dip-Slip Fault Line with approximately 150 feet of vertical displacement. During the late Paleozoic period, the rocks of Barn Bluff split, shifted and dropped. The plane of this Fault is seen on the SW side of the bluff where Highways 61, 53 and 63 cross. The marked orange/gold of the St. Lawrence siltstone on the NW contrasts markedly with the blue/green Franconia sandstone on the SE.
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There are two choices to access views of this Fault Line.
1. Proceed with your vehicle to these parking cords listed as Waypoint 1 – Safe Fault Line Viewing. From this vantage point you can clearly see the colour changes in the stone, delineating the 150 foot drop.
…..OR……
2. Proceed to parking cords listed as Waypoint 2 – Up Close Fault Line Viewing. From here you can access the sidewalk of Hwy. 63, proceed East over Hwy. 61, and access a steep trail which will take you right up to the face of the Fault Line. Not a recommended route if conditions are wet. I enjoyed my trek for the up close and personal encounter. Be safe and aware of any adverse conditions.
To Log this EarthCache, please forward in an email:
1. The number of rock layers named in the diagram on the sign;
2. The dimensions of the bluff as listed on the sign;
3. Your estimate of the uplifted angle of the green Franconian sandstone as it approaches the Fault line, (visible from waypoint 1); and,
4. Please post some interesting photos detailing your exploration of this area, and the Fault Line to share with others who will visit this EarthCache.
**Enjoy your time exploring another Roadside Geological Gem, courtesy of Mother Nature.
********IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS******** READ THIS********
These caches are not accessible from Hwy 61. There is one side road which crosses under Hwy 61, and that is 5th Street. Look at the maps.
If you do the 3 EC's in Red Wing, do them in this order, otherwise you will be confused.... (per the MEN trying to find these and cant' multi-task!)
1. Limestone Kiln. proceed to the kiln, sing, dance, etc., next you will heading to the stairways to climb the trails to find the tunnel in the side of the cliff.
2. You are at the stairs - 1st flight up - you are at the BARN BLUFF EC destination. Sing, dance, take a pic.... then continue up the stairs....
3. You are at the shelter and at the SLIP/DIP EC. Take a pic of the LaGrange sign, sing, dance, etc......then
4. Proceed up the NORTH TRAIL along the side of the bluff. You are over the Lime Kiln. Walk to the TN waypoint for the Kiln Tunnel in the side of the bluff and you will arrive at the heavily painted tunnel entrance. Take a pic, sing, dance...... (You have completed the Lime Kiln EC)
5. If you want to explore further, go up the trail a little further toward the observation areas. Take a pic and an elevation reading, and note what direction you are looking, anywhere along the trail.....sing, dance..... You have completed the Barn Bluff EC.
6. Go back to your car, and lock in either waypoint 1 or 2 of the DIP/SLIP EC to find the fault (both spots are side streets accessible from where you are and not immediately accessible from Highway 61.
7. Find the Fault, take a pic. Check out the uplift angle of the greenstone layer near the fault (estimate that) Sing, dance, etc....You have now completed the tasks for the DIP/SLIP EC and are free to leave the area.
8. Thank you for visiting! :-)
9. There.....Even a MAN should be able to figure it out now!
This should eliminate the confusion!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)