Middle of Nowhere EarthCache
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Continuing on from Towerhouse Woods Earthcache GC3Z0MH, here's another Earthcache exploring geology in local woodlands. Nowhere Wood (also called Trendlewood) is a small woodland situated in a residential area of Nailsea.
*Please read this whole article, it will majorly help with the understanding and questions of this EarthCache.*
Nowhere Wood was originally the site of a Pennant Stone quarry which operated until the 1930s. This Earthcache will explore the geology of the wood's quarrying history and how it has affected the soil, trees and appearance of the woodland.
The exposed rock face, which was blasted to mine Pennant Stone, is now surrounded by dense foliage. It is located on the outskirts of the wood at waypoint 3.
The quarry was eventually abandoned and biological succession (gradual introduction of plant life from rocky areas to high amounts of vegetation) occurred, kickstarted by soil building up between the massive mounds of excess 'spoil' Pennant Stone left over from the quarry.
Soil built up between stones in mounds like this and plant life followed. Tree roots eventually compacted stone mounds into the small hills seen throughout the wood. This is what causes the wood's unusual varying terrain and small hills.
Some features of the quarry still exist in the woods today, which have a large impact on the vegetation here; you will approach these as you do the Earthcache.
Because of the soil building up over the Pennant Stone layer, the soil layer is very thin. This makes it more susceptible to soil erosion when it rains, because the rain can't absorb into the impermeable Pennant Stone rock layer and so keeps the soil wet. The soil eventually becomes saturated and so will wash away/ break up.
Eventually the soil wears away so much that the tree is no longer supported, causing it to collapse.
..And this explains why there are many fallen and odd-angled trees in the wood:
To claim this Earthcache, you must complete the following tasks over the 4 sites. Please email or message me the answers via my profile, don't include your answers in your log. Any answers that are drastically wrong or incomplete, or posted logs that reveal answers will be deleted.
Site 1 (N51 25.716 W002 44.950)
Here you will find an information board which gives you some historical background to the wood.
1) What type of stone was Pennant Stone? (Stone type being like limestone, granite, etc)
2) What was the stone used for locally? Give one answer for Nailsea specifically and one for somewhere else locally.
3) The mounds of waste stone give what appearance to the wood? (Tell me the specific word used)
Also take note of the information of the sentence beginning 'There are also the remnants of...', it will help you with the next stage.
Site 2 (N51° 25.708 W002° 44.984)
This is the former site of a tramway which transported the Pennant Stone from the quarry to the road.
4) Estimate the size of the small hills on either side of the path.
5) Log the GPS coordinates of the point directly in front of the stone mound, previously a dry stone wall, shown below and explain what dry stone walls were used for in quarrying (this is where the signpost sentence helps)
I understand that GPS can be erratic in woodland but please try your best to get as accurate coords as possible. I shall accept a diameter of 10m out.
Site 3 (N51 25.714 W002 45.036)
This is the exposed rock face which Pennant Stone was mined from. Make sure to watch for falling stones!
6) Measure the length of this cliff face. Many GPSs have a feature which allows you to do this.
7)How can you tell that this rock face has been mined?
8)At the base of the cliff you should spot some piles of soil which accumulated here by slumping. Why do you think this has happened?
Site 4 (N51° 25.734 W002° 44.994)
Here you will see a large fallen tree which has become a victim to soil erosion as the soil layer supporting it has washed away. If you're feeling adventurous, you can of course try and balance on it!
9) Either by walking along the fallen tree or carefully walking around it, describe the size of the rock layer that was originally underneath the tree when it was upright. Also, why do you think the soil washed away so quickly here?
10) A photo of you in the wood (that doesn't reveal answers) would be nice, but not essential.
As part of the 13th International Earthcache Day (October 2015) I challenged myself to place an Earthcache every month until Earthcache day 2016, kicking it off with GC62T8F. This Earthcache is number 2 in that challenge (November 2015).
Well done to Campervandude for FTF!
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