Welcome to the Savu Na Mate Laya Falls (Biausevu Waterfall) Earth Cache
I hope you enjoy this stunning location and the geology.
The Biausevu Waterfall is located near the Biausevu village, on the Coral Coast of Fiji
There are orgainsed tours which can take you on the tour to the falls or otherwise visit the village and pay a fee to visit the falls.
The hike which is mostly on flat paths will take you through the beautiful forest with plenty to see. You will have to make your way through 9 creek crossings so wearing water shoes or sandals is a good idea. You can swim in the waterfall so remember your bathers, camera and a towel.
With the guide that took us, we were lucky enough to see frogs, medicine plants, bubble leaves (you can blow bubbles from them), find fine flakes of gold in the creeks and make fern hats to wear. Horses are also available if you wish to ride to the falls.
The geological history of Fiji is complex owing to its proximity to the Australian–Pacific plate boundary. The oldest rocks in Fiji are island-arc volcanics of Late Eocene age formed by westwards subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Australian plate along the Vitiaz arc.
The Biausevu area is in the Colo Plutonic Suite and after studies were conducted, Gabbroic to tonalitic stocks with a marginal facies of trondhjemite, diorite, hornblende andesite and microdiorite were found. Tonalite is an igneous, plutonic (intrusive) rock, of felsic composition, with phaneritic texture. Feldspar is present as plagioclase (typically oligoclase or andesine) with 10% or less alkali feldspar. Quartz is present as more than 20% of the rock. Amphiboles and pyroxenes are common accessory minerals.
Example of Tonalite
Today you will be exploring the last creek bed crossing before the waterfalls and the rock at the falls for answers to this Earth Cache. Please remember your water safety and be careful.
Questions
The posted co-ords will have you at the falls. You will need to swim to the right hand side of the falls. You can almost walk the whole way but there is a deep pocket about 5 meters before the falls.
Q1 In the last creek crossing before the falls, you can you find evidence of Tonalite? Does it differ to the rock at the falls and if so explain the differences you see?
Optional Q2 Can you find any evidence of gold in the many creek crossings. If so, how big would you estimate your find?
Once you complete the EarthCache requirements you can post your find without delay, as per the EarthCache guidelines. You will also need to verify your find by sending me a message and provide your answers to the questions.
For a link to my profile, click here - Na'wal
Thanks for visiting this Earth Cache. I hope you enjoy exploring the area.
Feel free to attach photos to your log (optional) but please don't post any spoliers.
References ~ Fiji Geology & Minerals, wikipedia