EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. At this site you will observe a variety of colors rather than red most commonly seen. Look at the staining caused by the primary minerals within these rocks. ... a. What are they? ... b. Estimate the amount contained within this outcrop. … NOTE: The reading will explain primary minerals. Based on that info, you can then complete the on site investigation..
2. MESSAGE …. At this site you will observe a variety of colors rather than red most commonly seen. Look at the staining caused by the decomposition of the primary minerals within these rocks. a. What are they? ... b. Estimate the amount contained within this outcrop. … NOTE: The reading will explain secondary minerals. Based on that info, you can then complete the on site investigation..
3. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at or near the coordinates. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in finding and creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU Mark W. Carter for permission to use your book for this earthcache.
THANK YOU Lillian for permission to place this earthcache along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
CHEMICAL WEATHERING
Mechanical weathering changes the appearance of rock (size, shape, etc). Chemical weathering changes the composition of rock to produce new minerals. At this outcrop you will see the effects of chemical weathering . These rocks contain iron-sulfide minerals which are quickly decomposed. The chemical weathering of these minerals produces very weak sulfuric acid.
STAINING
Most sedimentary rocks contain iron in varying degrees. This mineral may appear in patterns or dispersed randomly throughout the parent rock. Pyrite and pyrrhotite, predominantly reddish in color, are quickly decomposed by chemical weathering forming the iron minerals hematite and limonite. These minerals impart stains of red, orange and brown to the rock surface. Iron sulfate minerals also form and impart cream colored to yellowish stains.
METASEDIMENTARY ROCKS
These are sedimentary rocks that appear to have been altered by metamorphism. The overall composition of a metasediment can be used to identify the original sedimentary rock, even where they have been subject to high-grade metamorphism and intense deformation. The rocks at this outcrop are metasedimentary. Layers of metagraywacke alternate with muscovite-biotite schist.
RESOURCE
A Geologic Adventure Along The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina by Carter/Merschat/Wilson ... 2001