This Earth Cache is designed to show you a bit of interesting information regarding the soil of Jubilee Park and surrounding area. This is based on a cache “On Masonic Soil” in Fremont NE.
At the posted coordinates you will be led to what seems to be an empty green lawn in the park. What I’m talking about is what goes on under the ground, and how it can become quite apparent. Jubilee Park, like all places in Cole County has soil layers consisting of, an O horizon, an A horizon, an E horizon, a B horizon, and a C horizon. Before hitting bedrock and the continuing horizons of stone. Once past the C horizon, there is no soil but only stone.
The O horizon consists of plant and leaf litter and is the first horizon visible. Here, the O horizon is only visible in the woods as much clearing happened when the park was built. The A horizon is very easy to spot. The A horizon is the compacted and aged O horizon. (What most of us call dirt). The E horizon is the rocky sandy soil beneath the A horizon. The E horizon consists of sand, rock, and peat. Next is the B horizon. The B horizon consists of clay. Then the C horizon, the hardened clay and silt slowly turning to rock. And last, the R horizon the Limestone bedrock.
Here in Jubilee Park you can see at various points along the Creek where the various horizons have eroded and are much more visible. At the posted coordinates you can see the basic terrain of the Park without digging through all the soil.
Logging requirements: 1. What is the O horizon? What does it consist of? 2. Based on your observation of the park, what direction is the slope of the park? 3. How do the soil horizons effect Erosion? More? Less? 4. When looking toward the creek do you notice any changes in the soils appearance? 5. Although not required it would be great if you could post a picture of the Jubilee Park in your log.
Sources: Missouri Center for Career Education. Report of Cole County Missouri Soil Horizons.