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 …. There are several reasons why huge rocks may appear (pop up) in a small area. Based on the reading and your observations, you decide why this huge rock is only seen here. The questions in italics will help you form your hypothesis.
2. MESSAGE …. Walk the path and observe the rock. ..... a. Is this one rock, or several rocks? ... b. What is the distance from beginning to end of this rock? ..... c. What is the estimated height of this rock?
3. LOG …. Post a picture at or near the coordinates. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in 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
There are several ways huge rocks may appear in a landscape otherwise devoid of them.
GLACIAL ERRATICS
These are pieces of rock that differs from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests. They are carried by glacial ice, often over distances of hundreds of miles. The glaciers in this area began to recede for the last time about 18,000 years ago. The rising seas left a ridge above water, creating the modern barrier islands. The major impact of glaciation occurred along the coastal area. Is this area coastal or inland?
EROSION
Differential erosion will cause rocks to be hewn from the surrounding bedrock. Look at the topography. Are there hills evident or is the land fairly flat?
LANDSCAPING
Huge rocks are often moved to various locations for landscaping purposes. Does this area appear to be landscaped?
ROCK CITY
Several processes working together may result in an isolated group of rocks. These include weathering, erosion, uplift, jointing, and mass movement of native rock. Is this one rock, or a combination of several rocks?
PLUTON
This is an igneous rock crystallized from magma slowly cooling below the surface of the Earth. Due to erosion, the rock is exposed. Is this rock sedimentary (sandstone - grainy) or igneous (granite - crystals)?
"These Plutons are composed of granite and similar rocks, and are scattered throughout the Southern Appalachians like plums in a pudding. Some plutons are now exposed at the land surface due to erosion of the overlying rock; they weather to form unusual, smooth-sided domes like Looking Glass Rock."
RESOURCES
PISGAH NATIONAL FOREST - https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5288138.pdf
LOOKING GLASS ROCK - https://coord.info/GC2KN1A
NORTH CAROLINA - http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-twoworlds/1671