A Caterpillar View of a Maine Archipelego
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
While stopping here to retrieve another cache, I took the time to visit the granite stone markers describing the history of this site. I was amazed to find that this area carried so much history, both manmade and natural. I knew we have many islands off the coast of Maine, however, I never thought to call them and archipelago.
This is a wheelchair accessible earthcache, so that any cacher may enjoy the spectacular view.
What is an archipelago?
An archipelago is a group of islands, congregated in the same geographical area, that share a common origin. Archipelagos are common features in the oceans as well as in many lakes. Many well-known island chains are archipelagos, such as the Hawaiian Islands, the Aleutian Islands and the Philippines. Like mountains and other land formations, archipelagos are formed in part by tectonic activity--the movement of the large plates that make up the Earth's crust--but other factors can also affect the formation of archipelagos.
Volcanic Formation
The most common way archipelagos are formed is through volcanic activity combined with tectonic movement. When underwater volcanoes, or hot spots, allow magma (liquid rock) to seep out in the sea, rock formations are created under the water. As more and more magma is released, the rock formations eventually peak out over the surface of the water, creating an island. Since tectonic plates shift over time, the magma leakage from the hot spots shifts, which can lead to the formation of many islands within a relatively small area. Some of these islands are also likely to have volcanic activity or inactive volcanoes. The Hawaiian Islands are an example of an archipelago with volcanic origin that still has active volcanoes. Other Causes While volcanic activity is the cause for the formation of many large island chains in the sea, some archipelagos have other origins. Mountains are formed when tectonic plates collide and push each other up in the air. Tectonic plates under the sea may cause mountains to rise up from the sea and create islands. Sea level is another important factor in the formation of archipelagos. If the sea level were to fall or rise, some islands would be created while others would disappear. For instance, if the ice caps were to melt extensively because of global warming, the rise in sea level might form new archipelagos along the coastal terrain, while existing islands might disappear.
Read more: How Are Archipelagos Formed? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5122589_archipelagos-formed.html#ixzz2AEdqWi00
At the posted coordinates, you will find 3 granite markers with the history of Caterpillar Hill and the surrounding area. On one particular marker, you will find the following information: As the ice was melting following the last ice age, the top of Caterpillar Hill was above sea level at this time, but the shoreline crossed the field below where the Cooper farm house once stood. The gentle rise of the beach can be seen. By 13,300 years ago, the ice had melted back and the sea extended up the Penobscot Valley well north of Millinocket. However, removal of the ice load caused the land to rise so that by 11,000 years ago sea level was about 180 feet lower than at present. At the time most of the islands in front of you were hills on a coastal landscape. The rising sea drowned the hills resulting in the current archipelago...
Since this is an Earthcache, there is no physical cache here. However, in order to claim this cache as found, you must email me through my profile, the following information:
1. The number of cachers in your group.
2. The caching names of those in your group.
3. (Optional) Pictures of the view so others can see what they will enjoy. (please no pics of the markers to give anything away!)
4. Based upon the information found in the last sentence, if the height from the current water level to the top of an island 50 feet high, calculate approximately how many years will it take for the island to be submerged in water?
Enjoy the amazing view here! No matter what season you choose to visit this sight, you will find it breathtaking.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)