This Earth Cache is designed to show you a great example of erosion via water. While standing at the posted coordinates and looking to the south you see a rock bluff that is slowly eroding into the river. This is the process of erosion in action. What is erosion? The definition of erosion states that erosion is “the process of eroding or the gradual destruction of an object via wind water or other natural agents” in this case water. Over the years Wear’s Creek has been eroding away at this formation, creating the overhang of rock and the small karst below it. As the river continues to move closer the rock continues to be in exposure to water and the rock erodes.
As you study the formation you will see that there are layers in the rock face and that some layers are eroding at a faster rate than others. This is due to the density of the rock and its composition. Essentially, weaker rock erodes faster than stronger rock. Here we have Limestone and Sandstone. As usual the Sandstone comes in a layer between the Limestone surrounding. Thus the reason for the overhand and the various karts formations around the creek.
Logging requirements: 1, What is the definition of erosion? 2, When looking at the formation, is there a noticeable difference in the erosion on one side of the river than the other? 3, Why is there more erodion in the center of the rock bluff than the top or bottom? 4, About how high from the water is the top of the bluff? 5, Although not required it would be great if you could post a picture of the rock bluff in your log.