Two for one EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

Crop Tiger: Multiple people have reported that the required signage is missing. Archiving this until I can verify. Logs will be accepted if the answers are correct.

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Hidden : 5/5/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is home to many natural springs that are responsible for the wetlands in the area (see also GC13JB7). At the listed coordinates, these springs bubble up through limestone bedrock creating a unique version of a rock type that is extremely rare in Michigan.

Tufa rock (also called calcareous tufa, calc-tufa, calc-tuff) is a chemical sedimentary rock formed from calcium carbonate deposits of springs, lakes, or ground water. This soft, porous limestone is naturally white or creamy in color, though often stained red by iron oxide minerals. The major minerals are calcite and silica, but aragonite can also occur. It has a fine, crystalline texture and can sometimes contain fossils.

Fernwood is the only location in Michigan where surface-level tufa can be found. However, in nearby Buchanan, you can also find the underground version of tufa stone known as travertine or dripstone within the confines of Bear Cave. (Please note: Bear Cave is located at a privately owned campground and is only open from May 15th to October 1st, unlike Fernwood which is open year-round.)

A third version of tufa stone is geyserite (hydrous silicon dioxide), an opaline silica formed when silica precipitates from geysers and hot springs. It has a structure with cavities and hollow tubes and can also sometimes contain fossilized materials. Botryoidal geyserite is known as fiorite and is sometimes referred to as sinter. Geyserite is found in New Zealand, Iceland, and in Yellowstone National Park in the US.
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To receive credit for this Earthcache, you must e-mail us the answers to the following three questions:

[1] Find the Tufa Stone informational sign located near ground zero and fill in the blanks...

Springs like the one on this hillside are the source of much water at Fernwood and directly responsible for the forming of many _______ ___________ here. The light colored rock in the bed of this stream is tufa stone, created by the precipitation of _______ _________ in the water. The ____ _______ content of these waters are the same ________ _________ which produce the small ____-____ ________ further downstream.

[2] True or False -- There is a lot of obvious red striation (striping) that runs throughout the tufa rock in the stream bed.

[3] Please explain briefly why this is or is not the case.

DO NOT include your answers in your log. Failure to e-mail the correct answers promptly after logging your find will result in your log being deleted. If you choose to include a photo with your log, please make sure that the informational sign is not legible within your photo.
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Located in Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve along the beautiful St. Joseph River. Since there are Admission Fees, take time to hike the numerous trails and gardens. Take a break with visits to the Nature Center and Gallery Exhibits and if you're present at lunch time you can bring your own picnic or select something from the cafe.

You may only visit Fernwood during normal operating hours and parking is solely permitted in the Mary Plym Visitor Center lot. Please enter the grounds through this building entrance before starting your search for this or any of the other Fernwood caches.

Be sure to pick up a map of the grounds and follow Fernwood's no off-trail hiking rules. If you forgot to print off cache sheets or the coordinates, ask the receptionist at the visitor center.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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