This is an Earth Cahce so you will not have to find a log to sign at the above coordinates. Only email the answers to the below questions. You may go on and log the find before emailing me. If any of the answers to your questions are wrong I will get back with you on those answers. Parking is available near the posted coordinates.
In Bracken County, the site of this Earth Cache water is obtained from consolidated sedimentary rocks of the Ordovician age and unconsolidated sediments of Quaternary age. The oldest rocks found on the surface in Bracken County are those of the Lexington Limestone, deposited in shallow seas 490 million years ago during the Middle Ordovician Period. In the Late Ordovician, the seas became relatively shallow, as indicated by the amounts of mud (shale) in the sediments. When the waters were clear and warm, a profusion of animal life developed, particularly brachiopods and bryozoa. Over the last million years, unconsolidated Quaternary sediments have been deposited along the larger streams and rivers.
The strange looking rocks at the coordinates have what are called “ripple marks”. They are formed by shallow water flowing over a bed of sand or other sediments, or by wind-driven wave action in shallow water, again over small sediments. Less adundant types of limestone and shale include medium-gray to light-browninsh-gray, thin- to medium-bedded limestone composed of whole and broken fossils in a thin grained matrix, commonly rippled marked like you see in the rock at the above coordinates.
The oldest rocks exposed at the surface in Kentucky are Ordovician in age and are exposed in the Blue Grass Region. Rocks deposited during the first half of the Ordovician Period occur entirely below the surface throughout Kentucky. Some of these deep rocks contain oil, so some oil wells have been drilled down to them.
Erosion is an ongoing, these remnants will eventually disappear, worn away by the same erosional and weathering processes that destroy mountains, turning them back into sediments. These marks were formed in shallow water millions of years ago. It is ironic that the water and wind which created these formations will destroy them in time.
1. What two periods does Bracken Co. gets is water from?
2. How do we know the seas were shallow during the late Ordovician Period?
3. What causes ripple marks?
4. While standing at the above coordinates you will see the rock above or other rocks that are similar. What is the texture of this rock, smooth, a little rough or very rough?
5. From your observations at the above coordinates list two types of fossels that you see in the rocks around you.
Although not required pictures of you near the Earthcache are always nice to see.
The cache maintained by a Geocky Member
Bronze.
Silver.
Gold.
Platinum.
