Earthcache : Whitecliffs Boulders (Rangitikei) EarthCache
Earthcache : Whitecliffs Boulders (Rangitikei)
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This is my third Earthcache and is based at the site of one of our favourite local places to visit.
A fascinating example of concretions, and you don't have to go to Moeraki to see them!
These magical and extremely intriguing boulders are known as cannon ball concretions made from mudstone. Some are particularly large, and there are many of them located in the wooded area down by the river. It is believed that millions of years ago rivers carried sediment from eroding land out to sea. Shells and trees were also carried out to sea and were trapped in the sediment. The sea water contained dissolved chemicals and formed a cement around what was left of the buried shells and plant material. The cement in this case is calcium carbonate. The organic material seems to create a node for this process to occur. This is why some are split and some even have trees growing from the centre.
(visit link)
(visit link)
Please take your time whilst visiting this fascinating place and respect the land around you. Please leave livestock gates as you found them and heed the signs not to climb the fences. Some answers for the below questions can be found at this place, others may require some further research.
To claim a find for this Earthcache please email answers to the following questions;
1. What is the name of the rock that the boulders are made from?
2. In your own words please describe how the boulders were formed.
3. What is the main rock type of the towering cliffs all around the site of the boulders and along the banks of the river?
4. Please record and advise the elevation readings at each noted waypoint; Entry, car park and riverside.
5. Using some form of measuring device please state the height of the tallest boulder, and if possible it's circumference.
6. Please describe the state of the river at WP3. On the day you visited was it calm/a raging torrent/other?
7. (Optional) Post a photo of yourself on or near the most interesting boulder that you found on the day of your visit.
We hope you enjoy your visit and look forward to hearing about your experience.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Rnegupnpur