The ogof Flowstone earthcache
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Interesting formations within an ancient roman lead and copper mine. Earthcache set with the kind permission off Llanymynech and Pant parish council.
This Earthcache is ideally though not compulsorily completed at the same time as my mystery (the ogof) GC6PPR2.
The above co ords are for the cave entrance, follow waypoints along permissive footpath to the cave. You will be crossing a golf course so please take this into consideration on approach to, and leaving the cave. Being in a mine system I thought it would be obvious to come prepared, but it's been proven already that it obviously isn't, so, I fully recommend HELMET and HEADTORCH!, and, Kneepads if you plan further exploration. First of all, please note the D/T rating and only attempt this cache if you feel confident in your own ability to do so.
YOU ATTEMPT THIS CACHE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
How are caves decorated?
As water passes through limestone, it dissolves away calcite, a portion of the calcium carbonate rock, and carries it in solution. When a super- saturated water droplet impacts the cave floor or simply evaporates, the calcite previously held in solution is deposited in formations called speleothems. There are several types of speleothems.
Flowstone forms as water flows over walls, floors, or other formations and builds up sheets of calcite that look like a rock waterfall. Stalagmites rise upward from the floor of the cave passage and are usually formed by water dripping from ceiling formations. Stalactites hang from the cave ceiling and form as water flows down the formation and evaoporates leaving layers of calcite.
When a stalactite and a stalagmite join they form a column. In general, all ceiling formations are stalactites, but because there are so many distinctive types, there are more specific terms. For instance, a drapery (curtain) develops when water deposits calcite in thin sheets that hang in delicate folds like a curtain. The tiny, hollow stalactites known as soda straws are particularly fascinating.
They grow as water runs down inside them and deposits a ring of calcite at the tip. Helectites, or delicate, twisted speleothems, form as air movement within particularly humid cave passages causes the calcite formations to project at all angles from ceiling walls and the floor of caves.
Why are speleothems useful?
Speleothems are not only beautiful, they’re useful, too. Examining the location of speleothems within a cave can help explain how the cave formed. A tight cluster of soda straws on the cave ceiling can indicate diffuse flow—where water passes through the rock.
A long, sinuous drapery hints at fracture flow—when water flows through cracks in the rock. Even the color and composition of the speleothems can be informative. It suggests what types of rocks and minerals exist along the recharge flow path. As the speleothems grow, they record atmospheric information such as climatic conditions and ocean levels.
Growth rates are hypothesized to correlate to rainfall: the more rainfall the faster the formations grow. By examining growth rates scientists are able to reconstruct regional climactic conditions and determine precisely when they occurred.
Earthcache Task
In order to claim this Earthcache please answer the following questions:
1. Please locate and observe the Flowstone clearly visible on your left as you progress through the cave and describe its dimensions, Height, Width, Length and overall colour.
2. The wall immediately behind and above the Flowstone displays a different speleothem/feature, describe and name it?
3. Further speleothem/features are also visible nearby name them and describe their size?
Email answers to me through my profile. Although not necessary feel free to add pictures to your logs. Hope you enjoy the place as much as we did.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Sebz ragenapr urnq fgenvtug ba, gur ghaary lbh urnq qbja aneebjf, lbh jvyy cnff n pneirq cvyyne,cnl cnegvphyne nggragvba ba gur nccebnpu gb, naq, jura lbh ragre gur punzore jvgu na nve funsg (guvf fubhyq or pyrneyl boivbhf ol gur ynetr ubyr nobir lbhe urnq!).