An EarthCache which is out in the wilds. FTF is still up for grabs at 24/1/18 6;30am
There are several caches in the area and this could be found whilst doing them.
I have put the terrain and difficulty high because this cache close to footpaths but it’s wild country and figuring out the fossilisation process that has occurred is not that simple.
You don't need to wait for a reply to claim the find, however you do need to either message or email the answers to me to the questions below.
This EarthCache is on the Pennine way, in fact if you walked this route you will have stepped on it.
This area is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), so please be careful not to do any damage whilst you are here.
At the location given I wish you to concentrate on the raised stone on the path, this is one of many stones which will help you to answer the questions but the raised one (step up on the path) is easiest to find.
EarthCache information
When we think of fossils we usually think of dinosaurs, fish and plants being fossilized, however there are many methods of fossilisation and topography and formations can also be fossilised, You may know that fossilised footprints, riverbeds and sea floors have been found, one of these is what you will find here.
Here are some short descriptions of some different fossilisation processes.
Please read them and answer the questions below
Permineralization
Permineralization is a process of fossilisation that occurs when an organism is buried. The empty spaces within an organism become filled with mineral-rich groundwater. Minerals precipitate from the groundwater, occupying the empty spaces
Replacement and re-crystallisation
Replacement occurs when the shell, bone or other tissue is replaced with another mineral. A shell is said to be recrystallised when the original skeletal compounds are still present but in a different crystal form, as from aragonite to calcite.
Adpression (compression-impression)
Compression fossils, such as those of fossil ferns, are the result of chemical reduction of the complex organic molecules composing the organism's tissues. In this case the fossil consists of original material, albeit in a biochemically altered state.
Casts and moulds
In some cases the original remains of the organism completely dissolve or are otherwise destroyed. The remaining organism-shaped hole in the rock is called anexternal mould. If this hole is later filled with other minerals, it is a cast.
Casts and moulds of features
A cast or mould can also be made of a non carboniferous structure like a lake bed or animal footprint. This would occur when the feature was covered quickly and deeply by a softer material, (like volcanic ash) which was then subsequently covered by a harder forming rock. This is like a soft plaster cast being made then being covered by concrete. The impression of the plaster would protect the impression until the concrete was removed.
Carbonization
Carbonaceous films are thin coatings which consist predominantly of the chemical element carbon. The soft tissues of organisms are made largely of organic carbon compounds and during fosilisation only a thin film of carbon residue is left which forms a silhouette of the original organism.
Bioimmuration
Bioimmuration occurs when a skeletal organism overgrows or otherwise subsumes another organism, preserving the latter, or an impression of it, within the skeleton. This leaves a fossilised impression of the first object but will also leave impressions of the subsumed organism too.
The focus of this cache is the flat bed of stone which is used to make the path; you are not looking for fossilised bones. You need to look at the surface of the stone an how it compares with a sea side environment and then think about how it might have been formed and then preserved as a fossil
Please answer the questions below and message or email me at the same time as you log your find..
Find the sections of the path that is raised up as a step over the small side stream.
- Get down on the stone and tell me what it feels and looks like ( I know it will be cold and probably wet, be more creative)
- What fossilisation process do you think this section of the footpath had endured? (choose from above) Please give a reason for your thinking.
- Please tell me the width depth and length of the stone?
If you are able and willing please take a photo of something in the area, do not include the a close up of the raised stone as this would make it easy for armchair cachers.
Thank you for visiting the site and congratulation, it’s not easy to get to.
Happy caching
treboR