Meltwaters formed Glacial Sand&Gravel Protrusion * EarthCache
Meltwaters formed Glacial Sand&Gravel Protrusion *
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As an earthcache, there is NO 'container' to find. Instead you will discover somthing interesting about the geology of the area. PLEASE e-mail to my profile the answers to the following questions. PLEASE SUBMIT THE ANSWERS before you log a find!
This earthcache takes you to where you can see a small portion of the glacial sand & gravel protrusion that has been exposed from under many feet of organic soil and clay. PLEASE access this earthcache from below using the stairway that takes you to the lower level. There is NO NEED to touch or disturbe the earthcache to answer the questions! FTF: mommanherJs DO NOT ATTEMPT WHEN SNOW IS ON THE GROUND !! * * * * * * * * * * * * * REQUIREMENTS: 1- What is the height and length of this 'cemented' block of glacial sand & gravel protrusion? 2- How many feet of organic earth & clay have accumulated on top of this 'cemented' protrusion of glacial sand & gravel? 3- Is there evidence of marine life in this glacial sand & gravel protrusion? 4- How high is this glacial sand & gravel protrusion from the stream behind you? *PLEASE walk carefully--as there is evidence of erosion because of earthcaching activity!!!!! It is believed that four glaciers covered parts of Indiana. The last one, called the Wisconsin Ice Sheet, receeded about 8,000 years ago. The heavy sheet of ice scoured the landscape cutting out new rivers, streams and lakes in areas where there previously were none. As the glaciers were retreating, meltwaters containing huge amounts of mud and gravel choked the glacial rivers and spilled out over the banks. When the water volumn decreased, the smaller rivers and streams cut down through the accumulated sediments leaving high gravel terrrances. The series of flat plateaus that raise above the Wabash River in this area, are relics of this glacial floodplain. The terrace on which the Battle of Tippiecanoe was fought, (just a few yards from where you stand) also consists of sediments deposited by these flooding meltwaters. This area was also the center of the meltwaters and the large amounts of sand and gravel left behind. In some areas pebbles and gravel became cemented to each other by lime perculating down in the water from the surface. This resulted in gravel 'walls' like the one you are observing extending out of the side of this terrace. A final result of the glaciers in this area was that the ancient drainage patterns were altered. As the old river valleys were filled with glacial deposits, new channels were cut to carry away the meltwaters. Locally, the ancient Teay's River which ran through this area was filled in. Now the ancient river valleys serve as valuable groundwater reserviors, while the Wabash River now provides the drainage in the local watershed. Before the glacial period this area was covered by a shallow ocean as evidenced by the fossil remains of ancient mariene life which is often embedded in these sediments. DO NOT attempt when there is snow on the ground ! Great weather temp/map: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/zoa/mwmap3.php?map=usa This earthcache was approved & published about 20 minutes after I submitted it !!
Additional Hints
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