Welcome to Salanti Pebble Beach!
The beach Salanti is just 5 km from the village of Didimon and is considered as one of the greatest beaches in Ermioni’s Municipality.
We are now going to take a closer look at all the different pebbles at this beach.
You have to answer the questions, and send them to me by email, and you should upload 2 pictures with your log (see examples downpage)
A pebble is a clast of rock with a particle size of 2 to 64 millimetres based on the Krumbein phi scale of sedimentology. Pebbles are generally considered larger than granules (2 to 4 millimetres diameter) and smaller than cobbles (64 to 256 millimetres diameter). A rock made predominantly of pebbles is termed a conglomerate.
As with all other rocks, there are three beach stones types according to how they originated: Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary beach rocks. The first types of rocks, Igneous, are formed after molten rock from magma and lava eventually cools down and finally hardens into rock again. The second type, Metamorphic rocks arise from the transformation of existing rock types, in a process called metamorphism, which means "change in form". The original rock is subjected to heat and pressure, causing profound physical or chemical change.To these beach stone types belong pebbles like: quarzite, granite, slate, pumice, marble etc.
Sedimentary beach stones are formed on shores or in the water by the weathering of older stones. These bits and chips of older stones settle to the ground on layers along with the remains of organic materials, like parts from plants and animals. Through time they harden into compact sediment. Fossil stones found on the beach are this kind of rocks. Other examples of sedimentary rocks and beach pebbles are: sandstone, shale, conglomerates and breccia.
To identify pebbles and beach stones you should first wet the stone or pebble, so you can have a good look at its colors and get a first idea of how the rock was formed and what mineral or minerals it could be composed of. Some rock types are very distinctive, like volcanic breccia , and you could often tell some minerals from their color, like amethyst (a light or dark purple gemstone).
Water and sand polish small rocks into smooth, round shapes. The tumbling of rocks due to water currents also plays a major part. Such pebbles are not spherical, but usually resemble oblate ellipsoids. The pebbles on the sea beaches are on average, flatter than those found in rivers and streams.
On the picture below this text, you can see the beachline on Salanti. The beachline and the steepness of it is special for every beach, but here you can really see how the waves constantly changes the line. It will also tell you something about how big the waves usually are at this site, as the waves will make either steeper or flatter slopes depending on the weather. What you see on your visit should be mentioned in your answers at question 1.
The tasks;
At the headed coordinates;
- Describe what you see in this area.
- What are the size of the pebbles you find at GZ?
- Do you think these pebble are Igneous, Meatmorphic or sedimentary? Explain why you think so?
- How did the pebbles end up here?
At the waypoint;
- Compared to the size at the listed coordinates, are the pebbles smaller or bigger at this point?
- Explain why?
- Find at least 3 different types or colored pebbles - take a picture. (just like example picture 1)
You also need to upload a picture like example #2, showing your nick and date, or your self at the beach. Uploading pictures of yourselve with your face is optional, but it is always a pleasure to see the face of other geocachers :)
Example 1:
Thank you for visiting our Earthcache at Salanti Beach, remember to send the answers to us by email, and upload your photos.
Logs without the required information sent could be deleted without any further notice. You do not have wait for permission. Once you sent the answers you are welcome to log :)
Pictures taken by me. Sources of information: Wikipedia