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Glaciers to Grasslands ~ Ebey's Prairie 🌎 EarthCache

Hidden : 2/19/2018
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:


For purposes of logging this cache you must answer the following three questions:
1) How many feet of drift and till were deposited by the glacier and what two things at the viewpoint were laid up from its foundation?
2) Describe the topography from the overlook. How does it vary from north to south and east to west? (Words that may help in the description: ridges, uplands and bluffs.)
3) Based on your observations from question 3 from which direction do you believe the glacier advanced and receded?
4) Please take a Mandatory photo of yourself or a personal item near GZ  and either send it to me when you message the answers or attach it to your found log.



An earthcache is the magical combination of geocaching and geological discovery. They vary greatly from traditional geocaches in that there is NO PHYSICAL CONTAINER! Once at the Earth Cache site, take in the scenery, the geological marvels or oddities, and read the cache description. You will likely be asked to answer some questions about the site and optionally take a picture. You can email the cache owner or use the Message Center to send answers to the required questions. Please don’t be intimidated or anxious about answering the questions. They are not graded and were meant to enrich your visit, open your eyes and provide you with new knowledge and insights about the location. Most importantly have fun!

The past meets the present at Ebey's prairie in a working rural landscape. What lies before you is directly related to its icy ancestor.

The entire Puget Sound region was shaped by the Vashon Glacier during the last ice age. The glacier was enormously powerful, capable of moving huge chunks of ice and massive boulders.


When the glacier receded, Whidbey Island was left with areas of very uneven topography including ridges, uplands, bluffs, and several large shallow lakes. When the lakes dried up they left behind areas of fertile soil. While forests grew over most of the rest of the island, the prairies remained open, supporting grassland communities.

The cropland you see from this overlook occupies one of Whidbey’s prairies, created from one of the former lake beds. The prairies have been used to grow food for a very long time. American Indians used seasonal burning to keep them open.

While you are here follow the short trail from the parking lot along the edge of the wayside for a closer look at the prairie and views across it. Or better yet, if you continue south along the trail it will lead you to Ebey's Bluff with sweeping vistas and quite a few caches. For a shorter loop option walk north and explore Jacob Ebey's house and blockhouse. Return to the trail walking north and it will lead you back to parking.


EDUCATIONAL LOGGING REQUIREMENTS:

In order to substantiate your visit and comply with the educational requirement for Earth Caches you have to submit your answers to the following questions to the cache developers via their profile:
For purposes of logging this cache you must answer the following three questions:
1) How many feet of drift and till were deposited by the glacier and what two things at the viewpoint were laid up from its foundation?
2) Describe the topography from the overlook. How does it vary from north to south and east to west? (Words that may help in the description: ridges, uplands and bluffs.)
3) Based on your observations from question 3 from which direction do you believe the glacier advanced and receded?
4) Please take a Mandatory photo of yourself or a personal item near GZ  and either send it to me when you message the answers or attach it to your found log.



Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie
http://faculty.washington.edu/tswanson/302add/Field%20Trips/Trip2009.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vashon_Glaciation
http://kuow.org/post/what-was-washington-state-during-last-ice-age

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ybbxvat rnfg jvyy cebonoyl uryc jvgu dhrfgvba 1.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)