Cave Pearls 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.
More information in the Help Center.
For locations where new EarthCaches may be permitted, please remember that any cache submission must meet all current EarthCache guidelines and expectations on the Geological Society of America web site and in the Help Center.
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
ALL required tasks MUST be completed in order to earn this earthcache. If you submit a log without meeting the requirements, your log will be DELETED. If your log is deleted, please resubmit it when the tasks are completed. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Take only pictures, leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. EMAIL. Describe the similarities and differences among the three stages of cave pearl and nest development.
2. EMAIL. Choose your favorite formation with a Shawnee legend. Name the formation and briefly describe the legend.
3. POST IN LOG. During your tour, you will encounter the IMAGINATION ROOM where you name one of the formations. Post the name of your formation and why you named it thus.
4. OPTIONAL IN LOG. Posting your picture at the coordinates verifies that you were at the earthcache, and is a memorable addition to your log.
You do not need to wait for confirmation from me to post your log.
I will email you if you have done an outstanding job
(including completing all optional activities),
-or- if you have not met the requirements to earn your smiley.
CAVE PEARLS
Pearls are a concentric concretion found in shallow cave pools. They can be spherical, cylindrical, elliptical, and even cubical. Cave pearls form when water dripping into the pool loses carbon dioxide and precipitates calcite. This precipitate usually forms around a nucleus of sand, bones, or fragments of soda straws or rafts. The typical roundness is due to the uniform growth of the pearl, not to any sort of rotation due to dripping. A sphere allows the greatest amount of deposition for the smallest surface area and is thus most likely, even if the nucleus is highly irregular. The dripping causes vibrations in the pool which may prevent the pearls from cementing (with calcite) to the pool floor, though many pearls are found cemented in. Sometimes excess precipitate will form cups or nests around the pearls.
ZANE SHAWNEE CAVERNS
-At the beginning of your tour, you will view a map of the cave that was handpainted on the wall in the 1930s.
-The average temperature of most caves in the area are in the 50 degree range. This cave is colder with temperatures of 45-48 degrees.
-There are two distinct seasons within the cave - dry and wet. During the wet season, water can fill the lower passageways rising just below the walkways.
-There is a vein of chert running along the walls of the cave. This vein remains untouched. Chert and flint were used to make arrowheads and create sparks to start fires.
-Near the beginning of your tour, you will see the original cave opening far above the ceiling. Visitors were welcome to enter the cave free of charge. They were lowered by rope with a lantern for light. However, they were charged a fee to leave the cave.
-Along your journey, you will view three levels of formation of cave pearls - newly forming / fully formed / disappearing within the nest.
-Toward the end of the tour you will see a pool of water filtered through 120' of rock. The water looks shallow due to its clarity. However, actual depth varies from 1-6" in front to 8-10' in back.
-There are only 7 caves worldwide where cave pearls can be seen.
-Cave is open all year. Hours are 9-6 Apr-Oct -and- 10-5 Nov-Mar.
-There is a fee to take the tour.
RESOURCES
http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave/pearls/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zane_Shawnee_Caverns
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures