GC6RN09 My Blue, Blue Heart (Earthcache) in East Midlands, United Kingdom created by Tentmantent

GC6RN09 ▼

A cache by Tentmantent Message this owner

Hidden : 9/7/2016

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Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

There is no physical container at an Earthcache location. Instead, to claim a find, you must visit the site, make observations, engage in an Earth Science lesson and perform a few simple tasks.

This Earthcache is concerned with a unique feature in the building stone used in the construction of The Collection, Lincoln's purpose -built museum.

THE COLLECTION

This relatively new building, completed in 2002, has been sympathetically built to take account of its surroundings and location. It has been built snugly against and follows the contours of the hill to avoid overwhelming neighbouring buildings such as the Usher Gallery, sticking out like a sore thumb or spoiling the view of the cathedral from lower Lincoln. The design of the museum has looked at creating connections through the site and improving links with the Usher Gallery and adjoining Temple Gardens. The external courtyard is designed to allow activities within the museum to spill out in summer months, while also creating a new public space for Lincoln.

The building is constructed of local limestone, self-compacting concrete and bronze cladding and windows.

BLUE HEARTED LIMESTONE

Lincolnshire oolitic limestone has a creamy/yellow/pink colour, caused by the iron content. This Earthcache is particularly concerned with the small blue/grey patches that can be seen in some of the stone blocks. These patches are known as 'blue hearts' and are a common feature in recently quarried limestone. The blue hearts occur because the blue part of the limestone hasn't been oxidised. The blue is closer to the limestone's original colour which then becomes 'rusty' upon oxidation.
In closely-packed sediments, it is harder for oxygen to penetrate to great depths which is why the centre of larger blocks are often this blue/grey. Think of a baked Alaska - the heat cooks the pastry and meringue but doesn't get through to the ice-cream at the centre, which. remains frozen!
The blue-hearted limestone is fairly common on newer buildings but not on older ones. Over time these exposed blue limestones will eventually become oxidised through weathering and eventually change colour.

HOW TO CLAIM THIS EARTHCACHE

To claim this Earthcache you will need to complete the following tasks and send you answers to me either by email or through the message facility. You can find this by either: a) clicking on my user name at the top of this webpage, which will take you to my profile, and from there selecting either option or b) if you are using the Geocaching app, by selecting the option to 'send answers to cache owner'. When you have done this you are welcome to claim this Earthcache and log it as 'found'. I usually respond to every message sent and will let you know if you need to send more information. If no attempt is made to send answers, or if your answers are totally incorrect, I may ask you to remove your log or change it to a 'note'. In a small number of caches, no response is received, I may remove your log.

DO NOT POST YOUR ANSWERS IN YOUR LOG OR IT WILL BE DELETED!

THE TASKS

1. Measure a few of the blue hearts. Estimate their average area in square cm.

2. In the area of the wall that you are looking at, what proportion of the blocks contain blue hearts?

3. This building is made of the same material as other local buildings such as the Cathedral and the Castle. Explain why blue hearts can not be found in the stonework of these buildings.

4. (Optional) Return in 50 years time! What proportion of the blocks still contain blue hearts? ;)

5. Optional: Post a photo of yourself at the coordinates. Don't post photos which give enough detail to answer these questions without actually visiting the location!

I have earned GSA's highest level:

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nal frpgvba bs gur zhfrhz jnyy jvyy qb!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

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My Blue, Blue Heart EarthCache

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Geocache Description:

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