This earthcache will introduce you to a rare type of cemetery monument as compared to others nearby in the Hillaton Cemetery. This zinc monument is an intricate piece of work.
The Geology of Zinc:
Zinc is never found as the free metal. It makes up about .0075% of the Earth's crust, making it the 24th most abundant element. Its resources total about 1.9 billion tones worldwide. Top producers are China, Peru and Australia followed by India, USA and Canada. It is estimated zinc reserves could be gone between 2017 - 2055. Zinc ores are recovered by many mining techniques , ranging from open-pit which is located closers to the earths surface to normal under ground methods which is used for the deeper sources. Zinc is a bluish-white, lustrous, metal, though most common commercial grades of the metal have a dull finish. It is the first element in Group 12 element Periodic table. In some respects zinc is chemically similar to Magnesium. A bar of zinc generates a characteristic sound when bent, similar to Tin cry.
Physical Properties:
Using Zinc as Tombstones:
White Bronze (Zinc) monuments were made for only 40 years. Unlike traditional gravestones and markers, these were only sold through company catalogs and in person by a sales agent. Sales hit their peak in the 1880s. In an attempt to boost sales, they changed the "finish" on the metal base so it would resemble stone. The sandblasting roughened the surface and speed up the natural formation of protective oxide coating. Many pre 1879 monuments are smooth with a grayish colour while the post 1879 monuments have rough surface and are more bluish-silver in colour. By WWI, production was shut down as all zinc was needed for the war effort.
Construction of the Monuments:
Wax models were created by an artist, who worked at the plant. The models were then used to create plaster molds for creating the individual pieces. Zinc was heated to temperatures way above its melting point, then poured into the joints between individual pieces. This caused the adjoining surfaces to melt together, welding them into a single unit, a much stronger process than soldering.
The zinc carbonate that gives the monuments their characteristic bluish gray color also creates a hard protective skin so that the castings are still extremely sharp and clear. However, zinc has two unfortunate characteristics. It is quite brittle and may break if hit by a falling branch, and over many years it's unsupported weight will creep and sag, causing some of the larger monuments to bow or crack. Another problem, but one that affects all cemetery monuments, is poor foundations. Crumbling bases, and shifting soil has caused many monuments to lean.
Rules:
1. Parking is available
2. Please do not take a photo of any monument that identifies a family name. You may take pictures of the tombstones provided that the names are obscured.
To log this Earthcache please answer the following questions and send answers in a timely manner to my geocaching profile or email. Answers not received will result in deleted logs. Do not post your answers on in your log.
1. Is the monument solid or hollow? Try tapping lightly.
2. As "creeping" is a big problem with zinc monuments, do you see any evidence on this one? Or evidence of how this monument is holding up?
3. What is the year of death on the monument?
4. Post a picture of the area.
[REQUIRED] In accordance with the updated guidelines from Geocaching Headquarters published in June 2019, photos are now an acceptable logging requirement and WILL BE REQUIRED TO LOG THIS CACHE. Please provide a photo of yourself or a personal item in the picture to prove you visited the site.