The Nut has been described as the most prominent and dramatic landmark on the northern coast of Tasmania, and is also significant for its bird life. It has been classified as a State Geological Monument and is of outstanding geological interest. The Nut consists of a thick layer of Tertiary teschenite (a coarse-grained volcanic rock) overlying soft sediments. Marine erosion of the sediments has produced the bold, steep-sided bluffs. The origin of the rock mass is not known; The Nut may be the solidified lava neck of a volcano, a slab of solidified lava at the top end of a (volcanic) pipe-like feeder from deep within the earth, or an accumulation of lava which flowed into a depression from elsewhere.
The geology of the reserve is of continuing scientific interest as it is still unclear whether it is the solidified lava neck of a volcano or a slab of lava at the top of a feeder pipe-like intrusion, or some combination of both
The soils of The Nut and its surrounding area are a clay loam of volcanic origin. They are not particularly fertile, but their depth and other physical properties make them ideal for cultivation and pasture production. The soil type is classified as moderately susceptible to both sheet erosion and mass movement due to water saturation. Sheet erosion is caused by both overgrazing and wind exposure. Rockfall and landslips have occurred on the lower slopes of The Nut.
In 1892, 5,000 pounds of dynamite was exploded on the side of The Nut in an attempt to create a breakwater below, but incredibly nothing happened. One local commented that "it was a hard nut to crack"; however, 12 years later the fractures caused by the blast finally gave way and 200,000 tons of rock suddenly crashed to the ground. Fortunately no one was injured
The Earthcache
This earthcache is placed to replace the earthcache The Nut placed by Tealby on 01/02/2007 and archived on 12/09/2011
The listed coordinates will take you to the car park at the base of The Nut. The walking trail starts here. To significantly reduce the terrain difficulty take the chairlift - $14.00 return for adults ($9.00 one way). On (the many) days of high wind or other inclement conditions, the chairlift does not run so be prepared to undertake the character building climb
To find this EarthCache you are required to ascend The Nut, take a walk around it making observations and answer the 5 questions listed below. Be sure to take a camera for the many scenic views. There is a well marked and safe trail that circles The Nut that is almost exactly 3km return from the car park. If you take the chairlift you will eliminate ~ 450m, but the elevation change is almost 100m and the path is very steep
To add extra nuttiness to your visit you may also like to find the Pine Nut cache (GC52EF) along the way
To successfully claim a find email me answers to the following questions:
1. What is the common name for the rock of which The Nut is primarily comprised?
2. Waypoint N2
Determine the elevation at this point using your GPSr and another method. Is there a difference between the two elevations? If so, what is the difference?
3. As you walk between waypoints N2 and N3 observe the soil of and adjacent to the path. Describe the difference in the colours of the soil and and the exposed rocks of The Nut - why do you think they differ?
4. Waypoint N4
Look in a southwesterly direction. What is the (seven letter) geographical descriptor for the feature on the peninsular clearly visible approximately 4km away?
5. Waypoint N5
An example of the widely varying geological age of features the Tasmanian coastline within sight of The Nut is Woolnorth Point located at the northwestern tip of the Tasmanian mainland. It is a low rock-tipped 500m wide sand covered point composed of Precambrian (>500Ma) metasedimentary rocks as opposed to the Tertiary (25-70Ma) volcanic rocks of The Nut.
How far from The Nut is Woolnorth Point?
To make your log more interesting please try to include details such as a photo of something interesting you discovered along the way (preferably with you in the picture) or a description of the weather you encountered on your nutty excursion. On my last visit it was so windy the chairlift was not running and the wind assisted in walking up some of the hills
Stanley is an historic coastal town full of beautifully preserved buildings and contains several other geocaches to find during your visit
Pine Nut, On The Way To The Wharf, King Rock, A Nutta View, LOOKOUT STANLEY, CONVICTand West Inlet
REFERENCES:
AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE COMMISSION, 1981; The Heritage of Australia: The Illustrated Register of the National Estate; Macmillan, Melbourne
EASTOE, C.H., 1979; Geological Monuments in Tasmania. A Report to the Geological Society of Australia, Tasmania Division for the Australian Heritage Commission
MATTHEWS, W.L., 1975; A Probable Landslip at Stanley, Technical Report Number 19; Tasmania Department of Mines, Hobart
PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, 2003; The Nut State Reserve Management Plan 2003. Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Tourism, Parks, Heritage and the Arts, Hobart
RICHLEY, L. R., 1978; Land Systems of Tasmania: Region 3. Government Printer, Tasmania
SHORT, A.D.B., 2006; Beaches of the Tasmanian Coast and Islands, Sydney University Press, University of Sydney, Sydney