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2.7 Billion Years Ago - WGT EarthCache

Hidden : 11/18/2018
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:


I Was Out Doing The Caches In This Park And There Was A Perfect Plaque For An Earthcache!

canada is rich in mineral resources, including gold. and one of the principle areas of gold production is in the greenstone belt. the greenstone belt is a 2.7 billion year old section of basaltic volcanic rocks that contain an abundance of copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver minerals. these were largely preciptated from hot fluids perculating through sea floor sediments. Tectonic plate movements between 2,750 and 2,680 million years ago involving continental collisions, mountain building episodes, and massive volcanism finally produced the greenstone belt of the timmins region.

So What Are Tectonic Plates?

The Earth is split into 7 major tectonic plates and several minor ones. but there is an issue, when these plates collide or separate, Two things can happen when tectonic plates collide. 1) They could just bulldoze into each other. The rocks crumble and are pushed up forming mountains. 2) One plate slides up over top of the other plate. This is known as a subduction zone. The lower plate will be pushed down. As it is pushed further down, the rocks will eventually start to melt as it gets hotter the further into the Earth you go. This melted rock (or magma) will then work its way to the surface forming volcanoes.

Logging Tasks

1. Go To The Trail At The Posted Coordinates, Keep Walking Up The Trail Until You See The Sign Titled "Archean" 

2. What Ore Is Seen In Figure One On The Plaque?

3. How Much Gold Was Produced In The Timmins Mining Area?

4. What Border Does The Greenstone Belt Cross?

Once Your Answers Have Been Emailed, You May Log A Find. Any Logs With Unreasonable Answers Will Be Deleted.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)