While you are reflecting on their sacrifice, have a closer look at the rocks which make up the memorial.
What is Granite?
Granite is a light-colored with grains large enough to be visible with the unaided eye. It forms from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth’s surface. Granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles and other minerals. This mineral composition usually gives granite a red, pink, gray or white color with dark mineral grains visible throughout the rock.
Granite is the most common rock of its type and is used to make many objects that we encounter in daily life. These include counter tops, floor tiles, paving stone, curbing, stair treads, building veneer and cemetery monuments. It is a common feature of memorials because of its durability.
What is Limestone?
Limestone is composed primarily of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of the mineral calcite. It most commonly forms in clear, warm, shallow marine waters. It is usually an organic rock that forms from the accumulation of shell, coral, algal and fecal debris. It can also be a chemical rock formed by the precipitation of calcium carbonate from lake or ocean water.
Most limestone forms in shallow, calm, warm marine waters. That type of environment is where organisms capable of forming calcium carbonate shells and skeletons can easily extract the needed ingredients from ocean water. Limestone is formed from the shell and skeletal debris that accumulates when these animals die. Their waste products can also contribute to the mass. Their biological origin is often revealed in the rock by the presence of fossils.
(adapted from Geology.com)
In order to claim this earthcache you must answer the following questions:
1. What types of rock are granite and limestone?
2. There is a clear fossil on the right hand side of the limestone wall? What is it?
3. Describe the large granite boulder in the brick circle. What colours do you notice? How big are the grain sizes?
4. Do you think these are local rocks? Why?
Please do not put your answers in your logs, but email them to Doctor Owl for approval. Logs that have not been accompanied by the correct answers will be discretely queried and (if necessary) deleted.
Owl has the rather quaint idea that earthcaches should actually be visited in order to claim them. If she suspects that your answers are the result of armchair caching she may require proof that you have been here.