Mount Taylor Volcanics Earthcache EarthCache
Mount Taylor Volcanics Earthcache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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As an earthcache, there is no “box” or “container” to discover. Rather, with this cache, you discover something about the geology of the area. For more info, consult www.earthcache.org
This is one in a possible series of I-40 Park-and-Earthcache caches that highlight various geological features in New Mexico. The cords for this earthcache are accessible at the Bluewater Exit from EITHER DIRECTION of Interstate 40. There is plenty of space for Truckers/RVs to pull off and back on the ramps. It can be done from your car so is fully handicap accessible.
For paperless cachers, the logging requirements are at the beginning of the description.
Logging Requirements:
Send the answers to #1-#4 to me through my geocaching profile. DO NOT post the answers to any logging requirements on this site.
1.List the name “GC2J47D Mount Taylor Volcanics Earthcache” in the first line of your email. Also, list the number of people in your group.
2.Describe the “look” of Mount Taylor. What color is the dominate rock? What shape is the mountain?
3.You are looking at Mount Taylor from the west, looking east. What side (east, west, north, south) seems to be the side that was “blown out” during a major eruption?
4.The elevation of Mountain Taylor is 11,301 feet. Subtract your current elevation and tell me how high the mountain towers above the highland plain.
5. No photo is requested or suggested for this earthcache. If you attach a photo(s) to your log, please be sure they don't give away logging requirement answers!
I will only respond if you have incomplete logging requirements. Go ahead and log your cache
General Geology: There are four general geological regions in New Mexico – The Western Highlands; The Rift; The Rockies; and the East of the Rift areas. Each has a distinct geological footprint, though the variety present within each region is astounding. You are in the Western Highlands geological region.
“From the Rest Area at milepost 102 (eastbound), Mount Taylor (11,301 feet) shows up to the north, towering over a lava-capped mesa” (sandstone landforms have been “coated” with lava, kind of like a hard-icing on a cake). “Mount Taylor is built of many successive lava and ash flows, the oldest of basalt, the younger ones of dacite and andesite.” The mountain begin to form following the Miocene epoch and continued to erupt through the Pliocene epoch. By this time the other area rock formation had already been laid down, and in many cases eroded/weathered for extended periods of time. During this time it repeatedly built up lava domes, only to have them obliterated in the next eruption. There is evidence throughout the region of massive lava flows and ash deposits that trace their origins to this Mountain. Today, the volcano is somewhat horseshoe shaped with a valley on its ______ flank (see logging requirements).
Congrads to frankandginny for FTF (First To Finish logging requirements)
Resources:
Halka Chronic, Roadside Geology of New Mexico. Mountain Press Publishing. Missoula: Montana. 11th Printing, 2003.
Additional Hints
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Treasures
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