**Please note that this is an Earthcache, there is no container
to find, in order to log this find, please read the following
information**
This Earthcache is located at the Barron Falls lookout, about 30 -
40 mins drive from Cairns.
The following information is about how some of these large rivers
and waterfalls formed, over a period of 420 million
years.
Between 460 and 360 million years ago a deep undersea trough
formed in this region as the ancient continent stretched and
fractured. This Hodgkinson basin, filled with sediments washed down
from the surrounding mountains, and lavas erupted from deep
fractures.
About 360 million years ago during the big squeeze, heat
melted some rocks, which were pushed up as granite. There were
other episodes of heating between 310 and 230 million years ago,
with further granite intrusions. Limestone was also formed in the
area from old coral reefs.
After a period, Major rivers such as the Barron river, cut into the
ranges, creating steep, narrow gorges, with waterfalls at their
heads. The expanding coastal plain was affected by changing sea
levels; The latest rise between 18,000 and 6000 years ago formed
the present coastline.
In order to log this earth cache you must
complete each of the following tasks while on
site
Q1About 360 million years ago,
what happened during The Big Squeeze?
Q2Around 100 million years ago,
what caused the continent to dome up and stretch?
Q3Look at the illustration for
the period of 420 - 360 million years ago, what direction was the
ancient continent moving?
For your last task, you need to take a photo of your GPSr and the
waterfall and upload it in your log
Good luck and have fun!
379Jonti379