Ridge of Ridgetown EarthCache
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Ridge of Ridgetown Earthcache
Moraine.
A moraine is any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris (soil and rock) which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions. Moraines may be on the glacier’s surface or deposited as piles or sheets of debris where the glacier has melted.
Blenheim Moraine.
In the southeastern Ontario region of Chatham-Kent is an elevated area called the Blenheim moraine. It forms a banana-shaped ridge (see map on left) above the generally low and flat areas of the region. The Blenheim moraine is the area’s most prominent land form.
The soft sediments comprising the moraine were deposited by glaciers and glacial lakes during the later part of the Quaternary Period (or “Ice Age”) which spans the last two million years of geological time. Glacial advance and retreat eroded the bedrock beneath resulting in deposits of till (mixtures of all sizes of material from boulders, gravel, and sand to silt and clay) varying from 20 to more than 50 m in depth. The Blenheim moraine formed at the edge of the ice during the melting back of the Lake Erie basin ice lobe. The moraine marks a time of stability of the ice front when melting and forward flow were in balance.
Ridgetown.
Ridgetown (red dot on map) is situated on the north edge of the moraine and takes its name from its setting, whereas the name of the moraine is after the town of Blenheim, located at the southwest end of the moraine. image source: Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Geological Survey P.1973.
The posted coordinates will bring you to a vintage sign welcoming you to Ridgetown.
In order to log this Earthcache, you must email team wiji (see profile for email) the answers to the following questions:
1. To appreciate the amount of glacial deposit (till) beneath your feet, estimate the height of the Ridge of Ridgetown compared to the surrounding Chatham-Kent area (elevation of 650ft or 198m)? The elevation reading on your GPSr will be helpful in making this measurement. How many feet (or meters) are you above the surrounding area?
2. -OPTIONAL- Post a photo of your team and/or your GPSr in front of the vintage Ridgetown sign at the posted coordinates. You may post this photo with your log.
++ Congratulations to Rookraven on the FTF!! ++
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