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Urban Earthcache. EarthCache

Hidden : 8/17/2018
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:


This is an EarthCache and has special requirements for logging it.  You cannot log a Found It without responding to the logging requirements set out below. 

Only one find claim per Message. Each Geocacher claiming a find must submit an individual response. One team can not lodge a response on behalf of a group of people.


Hopefully, after visiting this site, you will have an expanded appreciation of the wonders of our natural environment, and recognise that the environment here has a rather rare geological feature.


The large "boulders" at Ground Zero look as if they were placed here for a Geology 101 class as examples to explore.  So let's explore them.

When looking at rock, the first thing to examine is its particle size.  (We shall ignore, for the sake of this 'exercise', limestone and marble - as they may be identified by a different 'test' - see for example Science Department at Brooke Western Academy.)

  1. Are the grains actually crystals and really tightly packed together is a close-fitting pattern?
  2. Are the grains clearly visible?
  3. Are the grains too small to see with the naked eye, and the rock can be broken without too much force.

Well, looking at the three rocks here, they are not crystalline, so we can rule out going any further down that path.  And we can also deduce that the grains are visible, so they are not of the types like slate, shale or mudstone.

So now we are left with the second option above - yes, the grains are clearly visible in all three rocks.


Taking a closer looks at the rocks, one type has grains that are small rounded sand-like grains.  This is sandstone.  Another type of rock has much larger pebbles in it.  Can we identify if these pebbles are rounded or angular?   This will tell us if it is Conglomerate or Breccia.  Conglomerate has mostly rounded pebbles.  Breccia has predominately sharp, angular pebbles, usually in close proximity.

Can you identify the three rocks here?   Use your hand on the rock surface to gauge the size of the grains.


To log a Found It smiley  on this cache, you need to respond to the following:

  1. Of the three boulders here, how many are sandstone?
     
  2. How many are Conglomerate?
     
  3. How many are Breccia?
     
  4. Using your hand on a conglomerate rock, give a rough estimate of the diameter size of the pebbles you can see.  You can measure in terms of finger width or estimated millimeters.
     
  5. 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.

You may log your Found It at any time, but if there is a problem with your answers, you will receive further correspondence.

Happy Earthcaching!


Additional Hints (No hints available.)