Will this Rock ever Roll?? EarthCache
Will this Rock ever Roll??
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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This large rock is a remnant of the violent upheaval that formed the Mount Lofty Ranges. It lies on the faultline that separates the slates, sandstones and limestones that make up the Adelaide plains from the Stonyfell Quartzite, of which this "pebble" consists, that is the dominant rock type in the ranges.
The Earthcache is only 200 metres from the listed Car Park co-ordinates in a straight line HOWEVER DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS!!! (unless you have climbed Everest, and the Matterhorn ..... and are completely stupid!!) Follow the trail to the top of the first falls and cross the creek at the listed co-ordinates. Here you will find an old, infrequently used walking track that will take you to the top of the rock.
Follow the track to the rock. Note the listed co-ords for a good view of it as you gradually head towards it. The track is overgrown in places and quite narrow. In the 1970's this track was one of a series used by the National Fitness Council. Late in that decade a fence was erected along the trail however bushfires claimed a lot of it and now there are only isolated posts remaining.
This large rock lies on the Ochre Cove / Clarendon Faultline. It is thought this fault movement occurred in the Cambrian Period, some 570 million years ago. At that time there would have been a prominent Quartzite cliff marking the boundary of the uplifted fault block. Since that time the very rugged Quartzite has weathered down, giving us the smooth slopes along the front of the range. This block has survived this weathering process as, while it consists of the same composition as the surrounding rock it contained relatively few joints (regularly spaced cracks) meaning there was less opportunity for weathering agents to get into the rock.
To claim the find on this Earthcache you must email me the answers to the following. You may log your find and then send me the answers HOWEVER if you fail to send through your answers ..... or your answers are incorrect YOUR LOG WILL BE DELETED.
1. Describe the surface of the boulder as it is today. (are there variations within the rock? Is it smooth as though worn in water? Is there evidence of moss or lichen?)
2. What is the colour of the lines that are visible on the rock surface? These vary in width from .5 cm. to 2 cm.
3.At the listed co-ordinates there is a 30 - 40cm. overhang on the rock. Suggest a possible reason for this.
4. Suggest a scientific or creative reason as to why the Rock may one day Roll!!!
A few suggestions!!!
.... go in a group or tell someone you are visiting this location. This
track is VERY rarely used.
.... take a phone and water with you
.... take a camera!!! Pics are optional of course but there are unique
views from this location.
....BEFORE YOU GO .... have a look at this location on Google Earth.
Blow up a satellite image of the rock (just above the tea rooms) and
look at it from an oblique angle ... it looks spectacular!!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
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