Tobago Cays "sail fast - live slow" EarthCache
Hidden : 1/1/2013
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Related Web Page

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

The Tobago Cays are an archipelago, which are composed of Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradol, Petit Tobac and Jamesby - located in the southern end of the Grenadines. Four of the very small and uninhabited cays are surrounded by the Horseshoe Reef.
The Tobago Cays are the key element of the Tobago Cays Marine Park, a national park and wildlife preserve run by the St.Vincent and the Grenadines government (established in 1998).


Geological significance
The geology of the Tobago Cays are the reefs and its volcanism.

Reefs
The reefs located in the Tobago Cays receive worldwide attention as some of the most diverse and healthy reef ecosystems around the world.
On the eastern side of the Tobago Cays is the beautiful coral reef system "Horseshoe Reef", which supports one of the world's most and active flora and fauna. The Horseshoe Reef protects four of the islands: Petit Rameau, Petit Bateau, Baradal and Jamesby. The reef constantly has waves breaking over it, and there are strong currents which flow over and around the reef.
The fifth cay Petit Tabac lies just outside the main reef system and beyond Petit Tabac are the "Egg Reef" and the "World’s End Reef" located.


Volcanism
The volcanism is responsible for the genesis of these islands. The Grenadines are dominated by basalt and basaltic andesite volcanism. These lavas differ from those of St. Vincent to the north, and the famous Soufriere volcano.


On Baradal, located within the Tobago Cays, there are pillow lavas and submarine volcaniclastics sediments which are overlain by Middle Eocene limestones. At the beach/water interface, beachrock can be found. Beachrock forms under conditions of rapid cementation in an intertidal zone and the cementation is associated with the evaporation of seawater at low tide, when there is a concentration of dissolved minerals. Beachrock can develop very rapidly, from 1 to 10 years, and can be destroyed rapidly as well due to storms or biota. Beachrock provides a very diverse ecosystem for many types of flaura and fauna.


The Tobago Cays Marine Park is approachable only by sea. Visitors reach the Cays by water taxis, day tours, charter yachts, private yachts and cruise ships.
Marine Park Visitor Fees are payable at Tobago Cays Marine Park offices on Mayreau and Union or directly to the park wardens on arrival. Prices vary depending on the type of tour you've arranged. For those on boat tours or scuba diving trips, the fee is usually included in the price of your excursion.

Logging Requirements
To authenticate your personal logging task and to claim this cache find, please provide following information:
  • What do you think, why is the water depth only 40ft at the listed coordinates?
    - Short explanation what observations lead you to your conclusion

  • How do you think, why there are so many reefs (especially the Horseshoe Reef) at his place?
    - Explain the several reasons

  • You will find Beachrock on/at Baradal:
    - Describe the art of rock and the traps of sediments with fossils. Then estimate what type of fossils it may was. Explain what observations lead you to this conclusion

  • optional:
    - a picture of you at the Tobago Cays
    - copy of sailing/cruise trip document (logbook/nautical miles confirmation/cruise tix)

Please send the requested informations direct to my Email-account at thejack7@thinkfactory.international - you can log your find after you receive my confirmation.
Note: Logs that contain the answer or do not have e-mail verification will be (requested to) removed!

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Advertising with Us