South Montgomery County Fault Lines EarthCache
Hidden : 1/2/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


This earthcache is located at three separate waypoints. One off SH 242 near Alden Woods Drive, another on Greenbridge Drive, and the last at I-45 south of 1488.


Fault lines in Texas? Really there are a lot of small faults and fissures all over Texas. In the Houston Metropolitan area there are several, with none more famous than the Long Point Fault line. Drew8 has a wonderful Earthcache GC1QQ32 regarding this particular fault. This particular earthcache concerns the faults in and around South Montgomery County specifically in The Woodlands and the surrounding areas there are several faults that are noticeable as you drive along major roads. The first one on SH242 near Alden Woods drive (Waypoint 1), the second is on Greenbridge Drive south of SH242 (Waypoint 2), the third is I-45 south of 1488 (Waypoint 3). There is considerable movement in all three locations. Gosling south of SH242 (Waypoint 3)



Underpinning the Greater Houston Area land surface are unconsolidated clays, clay shales, and poorly-cemented sands up to several miles deep. The region's geology developed from stream deposits formed from the erosion of the Rocky Mountains. These sediments consist of a series of sands and clays deposited on decaying organic matter that, over time, transformed into oil and natural gas. Beneath these tiers is a water-deposited layer of halite, a rock salt. The porous layers were compressed over time and forced upward. As it pushed upward, the salt dragged surrounding sediments into dome shapes, often trapping oil and gas that seeped from the surrounding porous sands. The Montgomery County region is generally earthquake-free. While the South Montgomery County contains over 50 active surface faults, the clay below the surface precludes the buildup of friction that produces ground shaking in earthquakes. These faults generally move at a smooth rate in what is termed "fault creep. Some say Also, the land subsidence from the extraction of oil has caused fissures and fault lines. East of the area where this specific earthcache is located are several large oil deposits that have been drilled with one in particular causing a large sinkhole known as Conroe Crater Lake.





So why do we care about faults in Southeast Texas if we have no earthquakes? One of the major reasons for knowing the location of surface faults, builders and government planners will be able to avoid those areas or accommodate potential ground shifts in their construction plans.

To log this cache, you must answer the following questions and complete a few small tasks. Email me the answers. Please do not post this is your log.



1. There is a sign concerning the fault near the parking coordinates for fault line 1. What does it say? (hint it is yellow)
2. A. At Fault Line 1 the road is moving. If you were traveling east to west via the road what happens to the ground?
B. Do you notice any structures built on or along the fault line?
3. Fault Line 2 is different from the other two faults. How does it run across the road?
4. At Fault Line 3 the ground has also shifted which is noticeable from the interstate or the service road, but if you look into the place of business you will see the real shift. Is this area more affected by the fault than the other Fault Lines?
5. There is a large warehouse near Fault Line 3 where does the fault run in reference to it? It is noticeable.



Please do not log your find until email or a message with the requested proof of visit has been sent. Found logs without a corresponding email or message will be deleted without further warning.

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