NOTE: Please DO NOT log this cache before submitting the answers to the CO, and getting the ok from the CO. Logs posted without answers will be deleted.
Hours: Mid-March thru October 31: Monday-Sunday, 8 AM-8 PM November 1 thru Mid-March: Monday-Sunday, 8 AM-5:30 PM
Sandstone, simply put, is sand cemented together into rock - this is easy to tell just by looking closely at a specimen. But beyond that simple definition lies an interesting makeup of sediment, matrix and cement that can, with investigation, reveal a great deal of valuable geologic information.
The formation of sandstone involves two principal stages. First, a layer or layers of sand accumulates as the result of sedimentation, either from water (as in a stream, lake, or sea) or from air (as in a desert). Typically, sedimentation occurs by the sand settling out from suspension; i.e., ceasing to be rolled or bounced along the bottom of a body of water or ground surface (e.g., in a desert or erg). Finally, once it has accumulated, the sand becomes sandstone when it is compacted by pressure of overlying deposits and cemented by the precipitation of minerals within the pore spaces between sand grains.
The most common cementing materials are silica and calcium carbonate, which are often derived either from dissolution or from alteration of the sand after it was buried. Colors will usually be tan or yellow (from a blend of the clear quartz with the dark amber feldspar content of the sand.
Sandstones are clastic in origin. Sandstone is one of the most common types of sedimentary rock and is found in sedimentary basins throughout the world. It is often mined for use as a construction material or as a raw material used in manufacturing. In the subsurface, sandstone often serves as an aquifer for groundwater or as a reservoir for oil and natural gas. The stone found in this quarry is referred to as Stafford stone (or sandstone),
The following link will give you an insight into the quarry's development in 2013. Just copy and paste into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFpWcoVShjk
Today your search will take you to the Stafford Civil War Park. In 1863 this was the site of the Army of the Potomac's winter encampment. (The Union's Valley Forge.) In the early 19th century sandstone was quarried at this site then loaded into shallow boats and taken to the deeper Creek for further transport.
Question 1 How many tons of materials (in Stafford stone and Gravel) were donated to the park construction?
Let us move to the quarry (cache coordinates). Here you will find a sign with your next answer.
Remember: DO NOT CLIMB DOWN TO OR ON THE QUARRY!!
There is no need to, nor is it safe to do so. Your next question can be answered from the sign. (You will have an opportunity to see the sandstone up close at the next stage).
Question 2
How many and what kind of tools were used in this quarry operation?
After viewing the quarry, proceed to the next way point. Here you will see the remainders of the piers which supported the Daniel Bridge. These are made from the sandstone quarried at this site. Also within the park, are located several chimneys and a fireboxes made from the local stone.
Question 3 Looking closely at the bridge pier, can you see the layering of the sandstone within the rocks? Please describe the appearance of the sandstone and does it confirms the theory on how sand stone is created . Do not cross the stream to look at the other pier, you should see it from the examples on this side.
Bonus You may wish to see one of the sandstone fireboxes/chimneys constructed from this local sandstone. This is just one example, and there are many more in this are if you chose to do some exploring.
The parking and firebox way points are included on this cache page.
Permission for this Earth Cache given by: Stafford County Parks and Rec
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