BSHC - Sandstone 1 EarthCache
Hidden : 2/28/2016
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:

1. MESSAGE :-) or EMAIL …. What kind of sandstone is this?

2. MESSAGE :-) or EMAIL …. Look closely at the rocks. ... a. Describe what you see. ... b. What evidence of cross-bedding / lensing / channelling is evident?

3. MESSAGE :-) or EMAIL …. Visit both sandstone churches. ... a. Give two ways they are similar. (Other than they are both sandstone.) ... b. Give two ways they are different.

OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in finding and creating this earthcache by adding ABC to your log.

A. Post a picture at or near the posted coords. This picture is your log signature verifying that you were at the earthcache.

B. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.

C. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you ... prose / story / poem / picture. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.

THANK YOU rainbowtree for developing this earthcache and allowing me to adopt it.


NOTE: Suggested visit to these earthcaches is on Sundays when there is no charge to park and traffic is at a minimum.

BUILDING STONES HARRISBURG CHURCHES
Enjoy your journey observing the large variety of stone types
used in the construction of churches.


GEOLOGY OF B.F. STEVENS MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH BUILDING
Brownstone sandstone
Contains varying amounts of hematite
Cross-bedding, lensing and channelling are common
Location - Vernon and South 13th Streets
Age - Triassic
Quarry - Hummelstown Brownstone Company

RESOURCE - Building Stones of Pennsylvania's Capital Area by Alan R. Geyer EG_005.zip - Pennsylvania Department of Conservation



HEMATITE - Mineral that is the main ore of iron.
BEDDING - "In geology a bed is the smallest division of a geologic formation or stratigraphic rock series marked by well-defined divisional planes (bedding planes) separating it from layers above and below. The term is generally applied to sedimentary strata, but may also be used for volcanic flows or ash layers."
CROSS BEDDING - Horizontal units that are composed of inclined layers.
LENSING - Rock that is thick in the middle and thin at the edges
CHANNELLING - Relatively shallow and narrow grooves

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BUILDING STONES - Building stones are selected based on the following:
COLOR
A function of the individual colors of the minerals which make up the rock.
TEXTURE - Geologist Definitions
Fine - crystals too small to see, even with a lens .... Medium - crystals visible, but need a lens to identify them .... Coarse - crystals easily seen with naked eye
TEXTURE - Building Industry Definitions
Determined by the size, arrangement, and bonding of the mineral grains within the rock.
Natural - cut along lines of cleavage revealing natural grain giving an undulating surface .... Honed - smooth finish with a slight sheen .... Polished - shine on stone surface .... Flamed - rough surface with an irregular textured finish .... Sand Blasted - textured surface with a matte gloss .... Sawn - semi-smooth, regular finish .... Bush Hammered - pitted or grooved surface finish
DURABILITY
Based on the texture and porosity of a rock. A durable building stone is one which resists the weathering elements in the atmosphere without suffering decay in some way. The main causes of stone decay are Frost / Salt crystallization / Acid deposition.
ACCESSIBILITY
Relatively easy to quarry.

TYPES OF ROCKS - There are three main categories of rocks based on how they were formed.
SEDIMENTARY
Sedimentary rocks are formed by the deposition of material at the Earth's surface and within bodies of water. IGNEOUS
Igneous rocks are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava. Intrusive igneous rocks cool slowly within Earth's crust giving time for crystals to grow. The deeper within the Earth's crust cooling occurs, the larger the crystal size.
METAMORPHIC
Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rock types are changed through extreme heat and pressure.

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