Theta Rock EarthCache
Hidden : 7/25/2017
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Welcome to Theta Rock!


In rural Osage County, a few miles east of Rich Fountain, a rock mass proudly stands. Aptly named Theta Rock due to one of the formations on the outcrop, it's a feature that is easily visible from some distance when the foliage is at a minimum. It's located along the northeast bluff of an abandoned meander loop of the Gasconade River. To learn more about this former course of the Gasconade River, check out the nearby "Missouri's most impressive scar" Earthcache (GC4PECW).

As the viewer gazes upon Theta Rock, two obvious small caves are visible, with a smaller third one very near the larger cave opening on the right. This smaller third cave has a bar of solid sandstone, giving it the appearance of the letter Theta in the uppercase Greek alphabet. These cave openings are an end result of eons of water erosion, having been formed when rainwater seeped into the ground. This water, carrying a weak form of carbonic acid, slowly enlarged cracks and crevices. Adding the erosional effects of groundwater, over time those crevices enlarged to the passages we see today.

The exact age and origin of this monolith isn't quite certain. A good guess is that it's part of a major filled sinkhole comprised mostly of white sandstone, with the surrounding sinkhole having eroded away long ago, leaving what we see today.
LOGGING TASKS

This Earthcache is right next to the road. All observations can be made from the side of the road at or near the posted coordinates. Please do not climb on the rock, as it is located on private property and there is also potential for injury as well.

Failure to answer the questions and then sending them to the cache owner will result in the finder’s log being quietly deleted.

1. Using your best judgement, how tall and wide is Theta Rock?
2. Approximately how wide are the two larger cave openings?
3. Immediately to the left of the larger cave opening on the right, you will see the smaller cave that gives Theta Rock its name. Roughly how wide is this opening?
4. What process most likely created these three cave openings?
5. How many distinct rock layers do you see on Theta Rock? Describe any differences you see between them.
6. Of what type of stone is Theta Rock mostly comprised?

A picture of yourself posted at the site would be nice, but it’s not required.

Happy caching!

SOURCE CITED

Beveridge, Thomas R., Geologic Wonders and Curiosities of Missouri, 1990. #246. Theta Rock.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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