Shoals Overlook EarthCache
Geocaching HQ Admin: It has now been over 30 days since Geocaching HQ submitted the disabled log below and, unfortunately, the cache owner has not posted an Owner maintenance log and re-enabled this geocache. As a result, we are now archiving this cache page.
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Shoals Overlook is one of several natural formations in Martin County, Indiana. There are two “glacial boundaries” of major significance in Indiana geology. The outer boundary, which marks the southernmost advance of the older ice sheets and is commonly known as “the glacial boundary, transits an inverted U-shaped line across much of southern Indiana. This outer boundary was caused by the Illinoisan glaciation some 100,000+ years ago.
The second boundary, which marks the maximum of the latest, the more influential Wisconsin-age glacial advance, crosses Indiana in midsection, roughly from Terre Haute to Brookville. This glaciation period ended some 10 to 20,000 years ago.
The Overlook was formed by forces that created the “outer boundary” and is the older of the two glacial activities. The newest glacial activity did not progress far enough south to fill in the ridges and valleys that are common to the southernmost Indiana counties.
Throughout the years the area below the Shoal Overlook Park experienced erosion forces from both wind and water. The East Fork of the White River flows through the valley below and is responsible for the flat valley floor that can be seen here.
The river normally flows in a channel from a northerly to a southerly direction as it meanders across the county. Repeated spring flooding drives the river out of its normal channel depositing silt and mud and is thus the reason the valley appears so flat. Silt enhances the soil which makes for better farm land.
To fulfill the requirements of this earth cache please answer the following questions while standing at the posted coordinates:
1. Estimate the width, in feet, of the White River as it appears in the valley below?
2. While viewing the river below does it flow towards or away from you?
3. Leaving the location of the coordinates to get a better view of the river below, the river forms a “U” or horseshoe feature just below the Overlook. What geological feature is a natural boundary that prevents the bend in the river from progressing further northward any time soon?
Feel free to post a picture of yourself at the Overlook, but it is not a requirement for claiming the cache.
Please Email your answers to the questions to the cache owner via geocaching.com. Go ahead and log as a find after you send the answers. If there is an issue that requires clarification, I will notify you. I hope you enjoy your time visiting the Overlook.
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