What is Limestone? Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of at least 50% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of calcite. All limestone also contains at least a small percentage of some other materials including quartz, feldspar, clay minerals, pyrite, siderite and other materials. It is formed most commonly in clear, warm, shallow marine waters. It is usually an organic sedimentary rock that forms from the accumulation over time of shell, coral, algal and fecal debris. It can also be a chemical sedimentary rock formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from lake or ocean water.
The given coordinates will lead you to an old rock quarry located within the park. This rock quarry was once used to mine limestone for use within the park to build fences, dams and other structures. The exposed rock you see at the site is limestone, the dominant bedrock of the Bluegrass region. Limestone in this area is of the late Ordovician age. It is very near the surface and it can be easily accessed and removed from the land using various hand tools including pick axes and hammers and chisels.
Next, make you way to the "Rock Fence" coordinates listed in the additional waypoints. Here you will find and old rock fence likely built from limestone mined from the quarry you just visited. The rock fences were built dry-lay style which means no mortar was used. The fences stay up solely from gravity and frictional forces. These fences were built to keep livestock in and predators out.
In order to claim credit for this earthcache, please answer the following questions:
1) What is the dominant bedrock of the Bluegrass?
2) When were the rock fences within this park likely built? and by whom?
3) How are the rock fences held together?
4) Estimate the height of the rock fence at stop #2. Why do you think limestone was used to build the fences?
5) Compare the rock at the quarry and the rock used to build the fence. Do you think the rocks used to build the fence are from this quarry? Why?
OPTIONAL: Post a picture of yourself by any one of the many rock fences in the park.
Thank you for visiting my earthcache.
Permission to place this earthcache given by Michael Downs. Approval Code: MCSP06e. Some of the information used in this earthcache description obtained from Geology.com
Congratulations to honeybee77 & Teper129 for FTF!