The eastern continental divide is a series of peaks and valleys running roughly north/ northeast from Georgia to New York/ Pennsylvania area. Precipitation that falls along this ridge line eventually flows into either the Atlantic ocean if it falls to the east of the fall line and to the Gulf of Mexico if it falls to the west.
You will find yourself at one of these junctions where a roadway was built to cross the divide. Look to the north, the northeast, east, southeast, south. At the point you are standing, you can see a ridge running up the slope to the peak to the northeast. This ridge is the divide. Water falling to the north and north west of this point flows to the Mississippi River basin. Water falling to the east and southeast flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
This divide is a result of an ancient collision between paleo-North America, paleo-Europe and paleo-Africa. When these ancient continents collided to form one supercontinent called Pangea over 550 million years ago, it pushed and folded the rock. As the pushing and folding continued, mountains formed. This collision was so powerful, scientists estimate that the mountains here were once the tallest in the history of our planet! Erosion over time has worn down to what you see before you: the center of those folds and bends.
Weather patterns in this part of the world generally come from the west to the east. As weather patterns hit mountains, they raise above and clouds drop most of the moisture. When the clouds go over the mountain to the east, the cloud goes back down elevation and is drier: an effect called rainshadow.
To log this earthcache, send an email to the cache owner with the answers. Do not include them in your log, even encrypted.
This cache may be more difficult in the summer months because the vegetation. Just do you best and have fun!
1) The first line of your email should be: A Gap In The Divide: GC30JNZ
2) Examine the exposed rock and the folding. Does the exposed rock match the ridgeline in front of you? Why/why not?
3) Which slope is steeper: northwest or southeast of the ridgeline? What do you suppose that indicates? Why?
4) Which river basin, Mississippi or Broad River will get more runoff from this location? Why?
5) Not a requirement but highly encouraged: take a picture of your crew at the divide sign and post it with your log.
I understand the sign may have been muggled recently. If it is gone, any picture at the coordinates are always welcome. Not sure when it will be replaced.
Congratulations to Dare2GeoCache and Sawmiller for the FTF
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