California Rock Garden at UC Davis EarthCache
California Rock Garden at UC Davis
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EDIT 4/25/15: Please make sure you read the directions carefully! In addition to answering the questions, you also need to "describe features that relate to the specific type of rock." Thank you!
Welcome to the California Rock Garden, located next to the Earth and Physical Sciences Building at UC Davis!
These rocks have been collected from across California, and are occasionally used for classes at UC Davis.
Today you will learn about... you guessed it, CALIFORNIA ROCKS!
In the garden are several boulders (and wood) dating from the Proterozoic (542-2500 million years ago) to the Cenozoic (0-65.5 million years ago). Most of these boulders were formed through the three common types of processes: solidification of molten rock (igneous); modification through heat, pressure, and chemicals (metamorphic); and accumulation of sediments (sedimentary). But a few of these boulders were formed through a fourth process: hydrothermal metamorphism. As the name implies, these hydrothermal boulders were formed by water at high temperatures.
For this EarthCache, you will need to find the 4 rocks listed below, representing the 4 different types of processes. For each of the boulders, please describe features that relate to the specific type of rock (for example, for the sedimentary, describe the various colors and sizes of the sediments) and answer the following questions. The answers to each question can be found on the plaques in front of the boulders.
1. Igneous: Find the Hyaloclastite. Describe features that relate to igneous rocks. Why does the calcite appear more crumbly and weathered than the quartz?
2. Metamorphic: Find the Greenstone. Describe features that relate to metamorphic rocks. What types of basalt lava flows can be seen?
3. Sedimentary: Find the Sandstone. Describe features that relate to sedimentary rocks. What shape are the Turritella fossils?
4. Hydrothermal: Find the Silica-Carbonate Rock. Describe features that relate to hydrothermal rocks. What four minerals are mentioned in bold?
Send your answers through my geocaching profile or by clicking on "Message this owner" below the title on the webpage. DO NOT post your answers in the log. Once you send your answers, feel free to log your find (you don't have to wait for an approval from me).
Pictures are very welcome as long as they don't give away any of the answers!
Parking on campus is FREE on the weekends! If you come during the week, I would suggest the free 15 minute parking (see waypoint).
Sources:
http://geology.com/rocks/igneous-rocks.shtml
http://geology.com/rocks/metamorphic-rocks.shtml
http://geology.com/rocks/sedimentary-rocks.shtml
https://wwwf.imperial.ac.uk/earthscienceandengineering/rocklibrary/viewglossrecord.php?gID=00000000326
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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