Lugard Falls
**Please note, this is an Earthcache and there is no container to be found here. To claim this cache you must first answer the questions below and send them to me using the link to my profile (above.) Claims made without having fist submitted answers may be deleted. If you were not able to complete the questions then maybe just post a "note." **
The published coordinates should bring you to the foot of Lugard falls, a catatact of water making its way down the side of the peak. But the water is not falling at a steady rate; there are sudden breaks in the stream, where the water suddenly falls many metres instead of winding down slowly. This is because of the effect of water erosion upon the underlying rock. This rock is known as "tuff" and is a volcanic rock formed from compressed volcanic ash. With an altituide of 443m, Victoria Peak was formed 143 million years ago and is the higest point on Hong Kong Island.
Rainwater seeped into cracks in the rock and, gradually, formed streamlets until, eventually, a steady stream of water ran over the rocks and down the hillside. At this location, however, there are two different layers of tuff, one denser and stronger than the other. The lighter, weaker tuff was eroded more easily by the water and so two separate levels formed, one higher than the other, making a cliff. The stream then flowed over the two levels and, as the height difference grew over time, the waterfall that you see before you gradually formed.
And now the tasks!
1) Using the information available, when was the rock of the Peak formed?
2) Is this rock sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic?
3) Estimate, in metres, the height of the falls at the coordinates.
4) Is the weaker rock at the top or at the bottom of the waterfall?
5) Post a photo of yourself (or a personal object)in front of the falls.
Good luck, and enjoy the views!
| I have earned GSA's highest level: |
 |
