During this time, Louisville was a warm, shallow sea. Increased volcanic activity was warming the earth, melting the polar ice caps, and inundating America with over 3 trillion gallons of water, stretching from the foothills of the Rockies to as far east as Maryland. This sea, only about 5' deep at its deepest point, was thriving, absolutely thriving with marine life, from fishes, to crinoids, corals, and more. A complete reef ecosystem in less that 5' of water!
Beargrass Creek Today
Today, Beargrass Creek is much different. Its fast riffles, however filled with sewage and nasty runoff, are home to fish such as Pumpkinseed, Bullhead, Bass, and Chubs, a popular spot for the local sport fisherman. The current has gouged a channel, which is our "window through time", so to speak, with which we can view the exposed Silurian Bedrock and the fossils it holds.
Fossil Outcrops and Formations
Today, there are two fossil formations that are visible at Beargrass Creek: Louisville Limestone, and Waldron Shale. The banks of the creek are made up of Louisville Limestone, the creek bed is made of the top of the Waldron Shale.
How do you tell which formation a fossil is from?- The Waldron Shale is a soft, black rock, so fossils will be dark in color and will be fully exposed. Fossils from the Louisville Limestone will be white in appearance and are rarely erroded from bed rock.
TO LOG THIS EARTHCACHE AS A "FIND", YOU MUST: email me the answers to the following questions via my profile:
1. During what geological period was the Beargrass Creek area formed?
2. What are the banks of Beargrass Creek made of?
3. What is the floor of Beargrass Creek made of?
4. Find one fossil and using the information above, draw a conclusion and state IN YOUR OWN OPINION what formation that fossil is from.*
*NOTE* even though fossil collecting is not prohibited here, please respect the site and do not collect here. Every time you take a fossil, the chances that the next cacher will be able to find one decreases. The rules of geocaching state to replace the cache as found. Even though there is no "physical" container here, the site is the cache. Please "replace" it as found. Thank you.