Rock Under Construction (Stanberry Park) EarthCache
Rock Under Construction (Stanberry Park)
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There is no container here - this is an earthcache. To log a find you will need to read the cache description, make some observations at the location you are standing, and email me the answer prior to logging a find.Placed by a member of OKIC https://www.facebook.com/groups/OKICachers/
Creeks like the one before you are great places to witness sedimentary rock formation. The cut the water makes through the landscape exposes the layers.
Sedimentary Rock
Rocks exposed to the atmosphere and water are subject to the processes of weathering and erosion. Weathering and erosion break the original rock down into smaller fragments and carry away dissolved material. This fragmented material accumulates and is buried by additional material. While an individual grain of sand is still a member of the class of rock it was formed from, a rock made up of such grains fused together is sedimentary. Sedimentary rocks can be formed from the lithification (the process in which sediments compact under pressure, expel the water trapped in them, and gradually become solid rock) of these buried smaller fragments. Another way sedimentary rock is formed is the accumulation and lithification of material generated by living organisms. The limestone rock bed of the creek was formed by the crushed shells of marine creatures when this area was part of a shallow sea 450 million years ago. The clay layer you see on the creek bank is younger than that. That clay may probably someday become rock. If the dirt above it continues to grow thicker and thicker it will continue to place more pressure on the clay layer. That pressure will, over time, squeeze at the porosity (empty spaces) and the little remaining water in the clay. This often forms what is called mudstone or claystone, based on the amount of silt and clay is present. Claystone is typically more than 66% clay. The clay here could someday become compacted and form shale. If that shale is continues to be put under pressure and subjected to heat it may become slate.
To log a find email me the answers to the following questions
1) About how many inches of clay are exposed on the creek bank?
2) About how many feet of dirt is on top of the clay?
3) Based on the information above - would this clay form mudstone or claystone?
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Treasures
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