What is Parowan Gap?
Approximately 15 million years ago, a long slender section of sedimentary rock sheared from the earth's crust along parallel fault lines. This up-thrown block, later name the Red Hills, began to inch its way above the surrounding valley floor. At the same time the block was rising, a stream was cutting a path perpendicularly across the ridge. For millions of years the uplifting of the ridge and the down-cutting of the stream remained in equilibrium.
Eventually, the relentless rise of the ridge and the drying of the region's climate combined forces to defeat the stream. The stream disappeared and the valley became a waterless wind gap. Continued erosion by wind and rain have shaped the gap into the pass seen today.
The Gap
What is a Mimetolith?
A Mimetolith is a natural topographic feature, rock outcrop, rock specimen, mineral specimen, or loose stone, the shape of which resembles something else. This could be the shape of an animal, human face or some other familiar shape.This rock formation is called Tobatz. Tobatz is the Paiute sun god. He swallows the sun on the first day of winter and the sun reappears through the Parowan Gap on the first day of summer. You can see the dark shadow that forms his eye, and the opening in the rock which is his mouth.
Mimetolith
In order to log this cache you will need to visit 2 locations and answer the following 5 questions.
From the information board.
1, What type of sandstone is Parowan gap formed form ?
2, Parowan Gap has two distinct features what is the second ?
Not on the information board
3, What do you think gives the sandstone its redish colour ?
4, The Gap is 600ft deep from top to bottom looking at the angle of the Gap sides why do you think it is wider at the top than the bottom ?
Now Walk to the following co-ords N37 54.609 W112 59.216
5, Look back towards the car park and cast your eyes to the right you will see a good example of a Mimetoilth; was it formed by Erosion, Weathering, or both and why ?
Make sure you don't miss this excellent Virtual cache while you are here.
A Picture is worth a thousand words
We hope you have enjoyed our Earthcache Diane & Ron UK
Please email your answers to us through our profile
The Washers
