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King and Queen
"Since ancient times, a king and queen have symbolised the binary nature of life itself. These symbols demonstrate that people are always faced with nature's forces, and show the power of Queensland’s people to rise again after the floods."
We recently discovered this sculpture almost hidden away out of sight of the general public, which is a real shame for the Artist who created it. If it wasn't for geocaching (there is a cache nearby) we would not have seen it either!
I have a fascination with Sandstone. I think it is the most versatile of all the rocks put to use by mankind, and whenever I see something sandstone I stop and have a closer look. I guess I am rather parochial, too - proud of the fact that some of the best sandstone in the world comes from just up the road at Helidon or Yangan (near Warwick). Of course, there is also some good stuff from around Sydney! But I digress!
According to “The Wiki”: “Sandstone is a clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized (0.0625 to 2 mm) mineral particles or rock fragments. Most sandstone is composed of quartz or feldspar because they are the most resistant minerals to weathering processes at the Earth's surface”.
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a chemical compound consisting of one-part silicon and two parts oxygen. It is silicon dioxide (SiO2). It is the most abundant mineral found at Earth's surface, and its unique properties make it one of the most useful natural substances.
What is Feldspar?
“Feldspar” is the name of a large group of rock-forming silicate minerals that make up over 50% of Earth’s crust. They are found in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in all parts of the world. Consisting of a wider range of chemicals than Quartz, they too have abundant silicon and oxygen.
Common theme?
Yes, it’s the glassy luster and hardness of the silicon and oxygen content. And you can see it in these two sandstone statues.
Colour?
Sandstone colours are and artefact of their formation process. To paraphrase “The Wiki” again:
The formation of sandstone involves two principal stages. First, a layer or layers of sand accumulates as the result of sedimentation and once it has accumulated, the sand becomes sandstone when it is compacted by the pressure of overlying deposits and cemented by the precipitation of minerals within the pore spaces between sand grains.
The most common cementing materials are silica and calcium carbonate, which are often derived either from dissolution or from alteration of the sand after it was buried. Colours will usually be tan or yellow (from a blend of the clear quartz with the dark amber feldspar content of the sand). A predominant additional colourant is iron oxide, which imparts reddish tints ranging from pink to dark red (terracotta), with additional manganese imparting a purplish hue.
You can see colours in these two statues, too, but moreso in one on them.
Questions?
Of course! Observations by your somatic sensory system and your visual/optical sensory system
- Touch the surfaces of these statues. Your senses will tell you that parts of these statues are very smooth and polished. What elements referenced above might contribute to the ability of sandstone to be formed like that?
- Take a closer look at the king's right shoulder. You see colours. In terms of the description given above, what are these colours and what elements may have contributed to these colour bands?
- Name the artist who created these two sculptures, and tell me where you see his signature inscribed on the sculpture.
- Take of photo of yourself OR your GPS to show a view of GZ. Include it in your message, but please do not post it in your log, it might give too much away.
When you have your response to the above questions, please, if possible, MESSAGE us, using the link at the top of the page underneath the name of the Cache. We prefer the MESSAGE method, as apparently, we don't respond to emails very well, but messages we do. We will contact you by MESSAGE once your MESSAGE has been received. But you can log your find in the meantime, and just say that you have MESSAGED your answers to the COs. Got it? 
Happy Earthcaching!