Latrabjarg EarthCache
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At the very western point of Europe you will learn how the oldest part of Iceland was born
The Westfjords are the oldest part of Iceland. Especially the Latrabjarg cliffs are like an open book to study the geological history: Latrabjarg is a cross section of the lava layers that built up in the flat area Vestfjardasletta about 13 - 14 million years ago after several volcanic activities. These are the oldest geological strata in Iceland. The hard layers of lava consist of basalt, up to 9-12 meters thick. Basalt is a rock formed from the rapid cooling of lava exposed at or very near the surface (By definition, basalt is an aphanitic igneous rock with less than 20% quartz and less than 10% feldspathoid by volume, and where at least 65% of the feldspar is in the form of plagioclase. Source: wikipedia).
This earthcache will help you to get a better knowledge of the development of these cliffs. You also will learn which material is between the thick basalt layers.
You can reach this earthcache by car, bike or bicycle. It’s a bumpy gravel road. In the summer months a public bus transport is available. Check the schedules! Close to the official parking lot there are some information boards, others you’ll find at N65°30.149 W024°31.872.
Don’t miss the birds, especially the cute puffins. They live on top of the cliffs in small burrows.
Be carefull at the edge of the cliff!
For a valid log send the answers of the following questions to my profiles eMail address. You don’t have to wait for a log permission. In case of wrong answers I’ll contact you. Logs without the answers will be deleted without comment.
1. From the given coordinates you will see the cliffs at the westernmost point of Europe. You can see many horizontal layers of basalt. Birds are breeding in the gap lines. How many layers of basalt can you see approximately?
2. Look: there are thin, reddish intermediate strata between the dark layers of lava. Can you explain,
a) which kind of material is such a reddish intermediate strata? For that it’s helpful to look which material is nowadays on top of the cliffs!
b) how this reddish material was formed and why is it red?
c) which observation is the proof for the theory that the reddish layer is softer than the basalt?
3. At the foot of the cliffs, you can see scree (rocks of all sizes). Please explain the process of emerging!
4. (Optional) If you like, take a picture of you (your gps) and Latrabjarg. Please no spoiler pics from the given coordinates and the cliffs.
Enjoy your stay on Latrabjarg!
Additional Hints
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