EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. a. Explain what caused the four corridors of the cave. ... b. Compare the direction water flowed in the left corridors vs direction water flowed in the right corridors. Tour guide will provide answers.
2. MESSAGE …. As you travel the left and right corridors, compare the temperatures.
3. MESSAGE …. As you travel the left and right corridors, compare the height of the ceilings.
4. MESSAGE …. As you travel the left and right corridors, compare the composition of the ceilings.
5. MESSAGE …. As you travel the left and right corridors, classify them as a living cave system or a dead cave system. Explain.
6. MESSAGE …. As you travel through the cave, what are the two most common speleothems?
LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item anywhere along the tour. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
X marks the spot where two opposites meet and make a harmonious whole.
THANK YOU Chris Perry (Park Manager) and Robert Myers (State Park Naturalist) for permission to share this learning adventure. ... Your permit for the earthcache “X Cave” is 19101CCSRP.
SPELEOTHEMS
Speleothems are predominantly limestone formations found in caves. They take various forms, depending on whether the water drips, seeps, condenses, flows, or ponds. ... As you journey through this cave, you will see a variety of cave formations. The most common are stalactites found on the ceiling (hang tight to the ceiling) and stalagmites found on the floor (might trip over them).
THE X
The most notable feature of this cave is the intersection of four corridors. They were once separated by a thick sandstone wall. Water flowed to the south in two corridors -and- to the north in two corridors. This water flowed in opposite directions with enough force to act as sandpaper, gradually wearing away the wall. At the intersection, the two corridors to the left comprise one cave system, and the two corridors to the right comprise another cave system. As you stand at the intersection and then walk the corridors, you will note distinct differences between these two systems.
ROCK-WATER RELATIONSHIP
Water is necessary for speleothems to form. The nature of the cave formation depends on whether the water drips, seeps, condenses, flows, or ponds.