Freedom Falls Earthcache EarthCache
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Freedom Falls is one of the larger waterfalls in this area. It is located on state owned land in Rockland Twp. Venango County. It is on Shull Run about a half a mile upstream of its confluence with the Allegheny River. There are no fences or signs and you can easily walk up to the brink or the base of the falls.
Simply put a waterfall is a watercourse (stream,creek, river) that drops vertically. It flows over the edge of a cliff or downslope. Types of waterfalls are based on how the water falls or passes through it’s course, how muchwater is flowing, The surface beneath it and the geological processes that created it (geomorphology). These all together form a waterfalls unique shape.
Waterfalls are formed due to the erosive activity of the watercourse, flowing over varied layers of rocks that have different rates of erosion. A watercourse traversing over a soft rock layer will have higher rate of erosion, in comparison to another area with a hard rock layer. Over a period of time, the erosion process further continues to erode the soft rocks, resulting in the steepening of the watercourse beyond the layer of hard rocks.
Shull Run starts at a much higher elevation and eventuly empties into Allegheny River. Freedom Falls is an excellent example of erosional force on existing bedrock. As the stream makes its way down through the valley, it has carved a particular channel into the ground. The force of the rushing water eroded the topsoil, and eventually the bedrock, creating a dramatic drop, which is the formation of this waterfall.
To log this Earthcache, email me the answers to the following:
1. Describe the effects of erosion on two different rock types at the falls. Toward the top is sandstone, and closer to the bottom is shale. Make an observation on how erosion affects each, and compare the two to each other.
2. Describe the amount of water going over the falls, i.e. heavy, slow, a trickle..whatever.
3. Estimate the height and width of the falls.
While it is not a logging requirement, feel free to post pics of yourself at the site. Photo albums are always fun!
As always, happy Earthcaching!
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