Glacial Valley EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
In order to count this Earthcache as a find, you must complete the following tasks and email the answers to me.
1. Describe the area.
2. What is the elevation on the valley floor?
3. What is the elevation at the top of either hill?
4. Using the information from questions 1 and 2, how high up does the ridge of glacial debris extend?
The geological land feature this Earthcache focuses on can be seen from a gravel road out in the country. I happened upon this area while searching for a nearby traditional cache. There should be little traffic on this road, but please be careful while stopping and getting out to look at the area as the hills the road climbs are steep. Enjoy the amazing view!
About 20,000 years ago, the area in which you are now standing was covered by glaciers about three miles thick. As these gigantic ice cubes made their way across the land, the massive force behind the ice dug up the land it passed over. This, in effect, created the gentle rolling hills that dot the flat prairie land of South Dakota. These hills mark the edge of the glacier. The flat area between ridges of hills should give you some indication of how wide these glaciers were. Glacial boulders can also be seen on these hills. These boulders were too large to be broken down into smaller bits by the glacier and so were mixed in with the other glacial debris and deposited in whole. Some of these boulders still lie beneath the surface--unseen. For a visual of what this might look like, think of a cookie dough blizzard.
As the glacier that once occupied this area began to retreat, or melt, a small stream was created from the melt water of the glacier to drain the area of water. This is the meandering stream you see at the location today. Meandering simply means that, instead of flowing in a straight line, the water bends back and forth--or meanders--because of little to no change in elevation across the valley floor.
NOT A LOGGING REQUIREMENT: Feel free to post pictures of your group at the area or the area itself - I love looking at the pictures.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)