Directions:
The Waterfall Highway (Hwy #1 E) is a sightseeing route with a collection of large waterfalls complimented by rivers and hiking trails. Many of the major waterfall attractions include campgrounds and are ideal destinations for activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking and swimming.
At kilometre 120 (mile 74) from the Alberta/NWT Border (north of Enterprise) is a rest stop called the McNallie Creek Picnic Area.
There is a short trail leading to the 17-metre McNallie Creek Falls. At the viewing platform, a plaque explains the origin of the creek's name. Look for the cliff swallows nesting in the ravine walls.
At the posted coordinates:
The posted coordinates bring you to the McNallie’s Creek viewing platform. A plunge pool can be seen from here.
PLEASE be aware: there is NO need to leave the viewing platform to answer these Earthcache questions.
DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING AT THE SITE.
USE the garbage bins provided at the parking lot.
RESPECT and DO NOT approach any wildlife.
Geocaching Rules: "An EarthCache is a special geological location people can visit to learn about a unique feature of the Earth. EarthCache pages include a set of educational notes along with coordinates. Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage its resources and how scientists gather evidence. Typically, to log an EarthCache, you will have to provide answers to questions by observing the geological location. For more information about EarthCaches visit http://www.earthcache.org/."
To Log a Smiley for this Earthcache, please send your answers to the following 4 questions to the Cache Owners profile listed at the top of this page. Do Not include your answers in your online log. General photos are welcome but certainly not mandatory. We hope you enjoy:
1) Examine this plunge pool and the walls of the pool and describe the rocks.
2) In your own words describe how this plunge pool formation has formed.
3) Name 2 visible signs of evidence that are contributing to the erosion in this area - other than flowing water.
4) Estimate the diameter of the plunge pool.
Erosion:
Weathering is the wearing and breakdown of land into smaller pieces. The result is the molding of rocks and soil. Erosion is the movement of these pieces by weathering.This continuing process can take a short amount of time to erode soft small bits of earth or many many years to carve canyons and valleys inside mountain areas. Denudation is the term given to breaking down and weathering the land.
Water Erosion:
Physical Water Erosion occurs when flowing water has enough force by speed to break off, pickup and move soil and rock fragments.
Water abrasion (wearing, grinding, or rubbing away by friction) causes worn smaller particles (sediments) and sometimes dissolved material to be removed and transported to new locations leaving the exposed rock undercut. The faster the water flow the faster the erosion process happens carrying more sediment over a shorter period of time.
The powerful force of water flowing over a waterfall erodes the rock at the base of the falls, cutting into its rock foundation. Sometimes this action abrades the basin into a depression called a plunge pool, a plunge basin or a waterfall lake. This powerful force also erodes off the lip at the brink of the falls, decreasing its overall height.
If suspended sediments in the water have not settled to the bottom of the water bed, these sediments will grind and erode the land even faster when moving water rubs against it. This repeated action eventually changes the landscape.
Those who send answers will receive a bonus.
Photos of you in the area are always nice to see and add to the interest of the geocache page. Please consider adding some of your own.
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