"Chalk Cliffs" is a common name used to describe a unique geological feature found in the Sandhills of South Carolina. Another name used to describe this feature is Vaucluse Udorthents. These cliffs are comprised of sand, gravel, clay and kaolin. They range in height from a couple of feet to over 30 feet. The color ranges from white to reddish. Layering of various materials is present along the edges of the cliffs.
The sediments that comprise the cliffs are related to the formation of the Sandhills. The Sandhills are part of North Carolina and South Carolina where ancient beach dunes were located when ocean water levels were much higher than they are presently. The Sandhills divide the piedmont from the coastal plain areas of these states.
The Vaucluse series is a soil type that consists of well-drained, slowly permeable and moderately slowly permeable soils that formed in thick beds of unconsolidated sand and clay of the Sand Hills. These soils are on long, narrow ridge tops and short, complex side slopes. Slopes range from 2-15%, unless cut through by erosion or other mechanisms. Vaucluse soils are classified as fine-loamy, siliceous, thermic Typic Hapludults.
Udorthents refer to areas that have been disturbed. Often, these disturbances are related to human impact such as farming, clearing or construction. They can be related directly to human impact through the disturbance of soil or indirectly by creating opportunities for erosion to occur. The disturbances can also be natural and can often form through natural erosion processes.
The term Vaucluse Udorthents is used to describe the chalk cliffs because the soils are related to the Vaucluse series and the cliffs are formed through erosion processes. There is discussion about whether the udorthent aspect of the chalk cliffs is related to man-made activities or natural occurring phenomenon.
Chalk Cliffs derive their name from the vertical cliffs that are present at these features. Additionally there is kaolin found on the cliff faces. Kaolin is a soft mineral that is usually white in color. It is often described as a soft clay or chalk. This “chalk” appearance of kaolin is where the chalk cliff derives its name. Kaolin is mined in this area and is used in kaopectate, glossy paper, ceramics, toothpaste, incandescent light bulbs, cosmetics, and paint. Some culture practice geophagia where people eat kaolin for health purposes or to suppress hunger.
There are two viewing spots for this earthcache, which are about 75 feet apart. Spot 1 is located at the posted coordinates for the cache. Spot 2 is a waypoint included on the page. If you have difficulty with your GPS, select a spot of the cliff area closer to the road as Spot 1. For Spot 2, select an area further away from the road that is about 75 feet away from Spot 1.
Click image for larger photo
- Spot 1 N 33° 33.639 W 81° 47.226 (Posted coordinates for the earthcache)
- Spot 2 N 33° 33.658 W 81° 47.228
Please Park at Parking Coordinates. Please do not park in the nearby car dealership. The owners have graciously allowed us access, but they have asked that we not park in front of their building or in front of the carports that they are selling.
Please do not touch or in any way disturb the cliffs. They are fragile and very susceptible to erosion.
To receive credit for this earthcache respond to the following by sending an email to the Cache Owner:
- The GC code and name of the earthcache (this is good practice for all earthcaches)
"GC63HKX Chalk Cliffs or Vaucluse Udorthents"
- Compare the heights of the cliffs at Spot 1 and Spot 2. Are the differences in height related to the elevation of the top of the cliff, the bottom of the cliff or both?
- At Spot 2, describe three different layers that you see on any of the nearby cliff faces. Describe the color, thickness, and approximate distance from the top of the cliff for each layer.
- Locate a layer that contains kaolin (description above). Describe the size and shape of the pieces of kaolin found in the layer. If you can find some kaolin on the ground, feel it and describe the texture. Do not extract any kaolin from the cliff face.
Congratulations to Hiking2175 who sought and was FTF "Chalk Cliffs or Vaucluse Udorthents."
There are other places in the area with Chalk Cliffs available for you to visit.
- Hitchcock Woods Map -
- Chalk Cliffs - N 33° 33.206 W 81° 45.325
- Visit the nearby and famous traditional cache, "The Cliffs of Cache"
- Red Cliffs - N 33° 32.635 W 81° 44.450
- USCA Property on utility right of way - N 33° 34.200 W 81° 47.255
- Near USCA off of University Parkway - N 33° 34.900 W 81° 45.700
- Henderson Heritage Preserve Map - Two different areas
- N 33° 36.175 W 81° 45.475
- N 33° 36.315 W 81° 45.400