The exterior is made of sandstone, which gives the building its distinctive red colour, and sits on a black granite base.

Sandstone

Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mostly of sand-sized rock grains. Clastic (composed of small fragments) sedimentary rocks are formed by weathering processes that breaks down larger rocks in to pebble, sand, or clay particles by exposure to wind, ice, and water. Clastic sedimentary rocks are named according to the size of their grains:

Conglomerate = coarse (64 mm to >256 mm), rounded grains

Breccia = coarse (2mm to 64 mm), angular grains

Sandstone = grains ranging in size from 2mm to 1/16 mm

Shale = grains ranging in size from 1/16 mm to

Sandstone can be found in various colours, most commonly tan, brown, yellow, red, grey, pink, white, and black.

Some sandstones are more susceptible to the effects of weathering than others. The more resistant types are commonly used as building materials.

Granite

Granite is a type of intrusive igneous rock rich in the elements that form feldspar and quartz. It is formed within the earth's crust when magma cools down and reaches the surface. Because it stays underneath the ground while it cools, it is course-grained, that is, the grains are visible to the naked eye.

Granite is predominantly white, pink, or gray in color, depending on the amount of each mineral present.

Granite is extensively used as a building material because of its durability and resistance to weathering.

To log this EarthCache as a find, please send me answers to the following:

1. Inspect the red sandstone and black granite. Describe the difference in texture and appearance.

2. From your observations, why do you think granite is generally a more durable rock than sandstone?

3. According to the nearby signage, from where does the red sandstone used here originate?

4. Whose manuscripts are housed in the library? Name one shown on the sign.

5. [OPTIONAL]: Please feel free to include photos of the library (inside or outside) but try not to include spoilers.

Please do not wait to log your find. I will contact you if there is any problem with your answers.

Happy EarthCaching!