Discover Pilanesberg National Park
Among Southern Africa’s fascinating game reserves, Pilanesberg National Park is possibly the most accessible. Situated in the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld, this vast area promises thrilling big game viewing in a malaria free environment. A wide variety of accommodation is available to suit your needs.
Although geographically located within the Witwatersrand range, the mountain is geologically part of a feature known as the Pilanesberg Alkaline Ring Complex It is a vast ring dike of a very ancient extinct volcano that last erupted some 1,200 million years ago.
The Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its type, there are few similar alkaline volcanic structures in the world. Different types of syenites, including a number of rare minerals, occur in the crater area.
The formation of the Pilanesberg occurred 2,000 million years ago. As its zenith, the volcano towered to 7,000 metres in height. Over the time, a series of volcanic eruptions occurred. There were further outpourings of lava, craters collapsed, ring fracturing took place around the volcano and magma was squeezed into these fractures. The end result is several "onion rings" of rocks of different ages. Erosion over many millions of years has stripped away the mountain and the highest peak. What we see today is not so much a volcanic crater, but a cross section through the magma pipes that were located at great depth below the mountain's summit.
.
Earthcache - Logging Requirements
Please consult the park "Map and Guide book" you were given at the entrance and the attached description to assist in your answers.
In order to claim a find on this earthcache, please complete the tasks below and send the answers to me via my gc.com profile.
1. Describe the difference of the ground surface of the valley below (color and consistency) and the area you are now standing on. 2. Usually you associate volcanoes with thermal baths (Badplaas, etc) Why do you suspect we don't find any hot water springs in this area. If not, why not? 3. If the GC was originally 7000 m above sea level and it is now xxxx m above sea level and this erosion took place over 1200 million years ago, work out the rate of erosion per million years. 4. The Pilanesberg forms part of the Witwatersrand Range of Mountains but was formed differently, Name the two rock forms which formed these mountains. 5. You will find most of the types of game in the valley below on top of this plateau as well, except possibly the cheetah. Why do you think this so. p>