Sandstone views EarthCache
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Sandstone Views
The above coordinates will bring you to this Earth Cache and a beautiful viewing point with stunning views across West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and the Potomac River. There is parking at the location on level ground however care must be taken of passing traffic.
You will find an information board and a spectacular backdrop for you to take photos - No spoilers !
The formation of sandstone starts when a layer or layers of sand accumulate and settle. Once it has accumulated, the sand becomes compacted by overlying deposits and cemented by the precipitation of minerals within the pore spaces between sand grains becoming sandstone.
At this Earth Cache you will be able to see a fine example of Tuscarora Sandstone. The strata were laid down approximetly 440 million years ago, and are 250 feet thick.
The Tuscarora is a thin/thick bedded fine/coarse-grained sandstone, generally it is tightly cemented, locally however the cement is irregularly distributed.
Some sandstone beds have a banded appearance caused by layers alternating between tightly cemented and poorly cemented areas.
Lattice patterns can result where cemented bands form at right angles to bedding as well as parallel to bedding. Transverse bands may have been controlled by fractures, as they are parallel to fractures in the formation. Uncemented zones occur in some beds which are otherwise tightly cemented.
Very few fossils exist within Tuscarora Sandstone.
In order to log this cache mail me via my profile, the answers to the following questions.
1. There is a large boulder near the foot of the information sign, describe the coloration of this rock?
2. What is this type of Tuscarora Sandstone also known as?
3. On the opposite side of the road there is a massive example of Tuscarora Sandstone, describe this formation, cemented, uncemented or other?.
4. What is this type of formation called?
5. What natural element does this rock produce?
6. Using GPS What is the altitude at this location?
7. Go to waypoint two where there is parking space for two cars. At this location there are great views where you can look back up at the Sandstone and see the size and scale of this Tuscarora formation. Using GPS work out the altitude at waypoint 2 and calculate the vertical drop between the two waypoints.
When you log your visit please post a photo of the the spectacular views which includes your GPSr and preferably some of your team.
No photos of the rock formation or information sign.
Please e-mail me with the answers as you log the find, no answers within the logs!
Please take care and be fully aware of the roads and traffic.
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Treasures
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