UK's Highest Beach EarthCache
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Loch Morlich Beach is the highest beach in the UK.
Most UK beaches are at or around sea level. The beach at Loch Morlich is located near to the foot of the Cairngorm Mountain so is at a much higher altitude than coastal beaches.
Loch Morlich is a freshwater loch with long stretches of shoreline formed of sandy beaches. Loch Morlich beach is situated approximately 8 km from Aviemore. Loch Morlich is surrounded by Glenmore forest.
Sand is formed as a result of the breakdown of rocks in the Earth’s crust. Sand is formed over a long period of time by water, wind, gravity, and tectonics, among other forces. Water provides movement of sediment from streams and inland areas down through the land. As sediment is transported it becomes more eroded. While heavier sediment settles along river banks and streams, lighter sediment gets carried to the sea. Gravity assists the motion of material down streams, rivers, and cliff sides. The smashing of rocks together causes fragmentation of rocks. Like gravity, wind contributes to the movement of materials in powering waves, currents, and the eroding of surfaces. Fine sand is also transported to various locations by the wind. Plate tectonics work together with gravity and water to push rocks upward and then wear them down. Sand found on beaches with large waves and sea swells exhibit small particles with rounded edges caused by the repeated pounding of particles against each other which results in polished sand particles. Sand on beaches washed down by streams and rivers are rougher as the grains have not been subjected to aggressive weathering by the sea. The sand on beaches can therefore provide evidence of its origin and the history of the transport to the beach area.
Sand in different regions are composed of various different materials. Quartz is the most abundant compound found in sand. Quartz grains are minerals found in many different kinds of rocks in Earth’s crust. As rock is weathered away, quartz grains remain due to ability to resist weathering. Black sand beaches are composed of volcanic lava fragments. White sand beaches contain an abundance of shells and coral. So, every sandy beach has a story of how it came to be formed.
Earthcache Tasks:
To log this Earthcache, please send an email or message to the CO with the answers to the following questions. You do not have to wait for a reply before you log.
Question 1: Stand at the given coordinates facing the wooded area with your back to the loch. Look along the beach and find the highest part of the sandy beach. Walk to this point. What is the altitude of the highest beach in the UK?
Question 2: Look at the sand on beach and describe the nature of the sand particles in terms of colours, size and shape.
Question 3a: Is the sand on Loch Morlich Beach finer or coarser than regular sand found on coastal beaches?
Question 3b: With reference to your answer to Question 3a, give a reason why the sand is finer/coarser
Question 4a: Where in the Highlands do the sand particles originate?
Question 4b: How did the sand particles travel from your answer to Question 4a to Loch Morlich beach?
Optional task: Post a photograph of yourself or your GPS on Loch Morlich Beach
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
D1: Hfr lbhe TCF be cubar
Treasures
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