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800 million years ago a shallow sea covered central Australia. The tides and currents deposited a deep layer of quartz sand coated in iron oxide dust. This sand was buried by later deposits and later compressed into a very hard rock called quartzite.
Some 350-300 million years ago a mountain building event created the MacDonnell Ranges. This was known as the Alice Springs Orogeny. Since that time, folding, faulting and erosion have shaped the range and created numerous gaps and gorges. Simpsons Gap formed as the land surface rose and powerful flood waters cut into the rock scouring out the Gap as we see it today.
The ranges are composed of many rock types, but are most famous for their red quartzite peaks and gorges. Other rock types include granite, limestone, sandstone and siltstone. Some of the valleys of the range contain fossil evidence of the inland sea that once covered central Australia. The Simpsons Gap Metasediments and the overlying Chewings Range Quartzite represent a Metamorphosed sequence consisting of a thin Basalt conglomerate overlain by interbedding pelite and psammite which in turn are overlain by quartz sandstone.
Known as Rungutjirpa to the Arrernte Aboriginal people, Simpsons Gap was the mythological home of a group of giant goanna ancestors. Several dreaming trails and stories cross at this important spiritual site.
Simpsons Gap is one of the most prominent gaps in the West MacDonnell Ranges. Located 18 kilometres from Alice Springs, it features the towering cliffs of Simpsons Range, a permanent waterhole, and opportunities to spot resident wildlife.
Park at S23 40.660 E133 43.085 before you commence this Earth Cache.
To log this cache, visit the listed coordinates and obtain the answers to the following questions. From the guidelines, as from January 2013: "People do not need to wait for permission to log your EarthCache. Requiring someone to wait is not supported by the EarthCache guidelines. People should send their logging task answers to you, then log your EarthCache. When you review their logging task answers, if there is a problem, you should contact them to resolve it. If there is no problem, then their log simply stands." It is preferred if you can post a note to keep your visits in order and send a message or email to me with the answers to these questions before changing your log to a found:
At: S23 40.500 E133 43.189
1. In what direction are the layers above your head pointing?
Then go to: S23 40.457 E133 43.158
2. Describe the formation on your right and identify any features.
Then go to: S23 40.550 E 133 43.125
3. What type of rock are you looking at?
Thank you for visiting this location and learning about the Geology. Feel free to take a photo of yourself or your GPS and include this photo with your log.
FTF was "Ghost Train Too" on International Earthcaching Day 2015.