The Topeka Formation EarthCache
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Alongside the cliff on the north side of this road and on the side of other roads and highways nearby, you can see various layers of differing rocks that were created 300 million years ago when a vast ocean covered this land all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.
The varying kinds of rocks indicate the various conditions of the water that used to cover the rocks. The aggregate of rocks layered in this area is known as The Topeka Formation. These layers are especially nicely-deposited rock formations that have not been changed by major earth changes since they were first laid down.
The rock layers visible here are sedimentary rocks, made by sediment being deposited and then cemented together. The rock layers consist of sandstone, shale and limestone.
Sandstone was created when the land was an ancient sandy beach. It looks like it is made of sand.
Shale was created when there was a mixture of fresh and marine water and is a fine-grained rock. It was formed from mud.
Limestone was created during a time of shallow marine water and is made up of the skeletal parts of marine animals. It is found in many places in the world, is easy to cut into blocks and is long-lasting. It is commonly used as buidling material throughout the world and also as filler in toothpaste and paint. It is used in the State Capitol of Kansas and on the Great Pyramid in Egypt. You can probably recognize it because you have seen it used in many buildings.
In some areas of The Topeka Formation a trained or discriminating eye can see layers laid down in the following manner: first sandstone, then limestone, than shale, then limestone again, then shale again.
You don't have to climb to see the different layers of rock. In fact, you won't even need to get out of your car, although you may want to, as you may find pieces of coal or rocks with fossils in them that have fallen at your feet on the ground.
To receive credit for finding this geocache, please email the CO the answers to the following questions.
1. Can you see the ravages of time and weather on the various rock layers? If so, what indicates time and weather has made changes in the rocks. Which layers have stood up the best?
2. Can you tell that the various layers are different from each other? If so, how can you tell?
3. How many layers of different distinct layers of rocks can you see?
4. Optional: you can insert a photo of you at the site.
Now that you have found this cache, you may want to find several other geocaches nearby. There is one so close that you won't even have to get back in your car to drive there.
Thanks go to Washburn University geology professor, Tambra Eifert, Ph.D. with the cache. She knows her stuff!
Congratulations to CassiusCaching, Mx5AutoXer, and the geochild for FTF!
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Treasures
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