Here is a quick and educational EarthCache to enjoy while on your trip to Princess Cays.
The Commonwealth of The Bahamas are islands that stretch 760 miles east off the coast of Florida extending to just north of Haiti. The Bahamas are made up of 700 islands (30 which are inhabited) and 2,400 cays. So, to answer the question of “What is a Cay”, here is what you get. A cay is defined as a small, low island made up of mostly sand or coral that lies on top of a coral reef. Cays form when ocean currents transport loose sediments across the surface of a reef to a depositional node. This is normally areas where the current slows or converges with another current. This process deposits layers of sediment on the reef surface. The land made from the accumulation of this sediment is composed of almost entirely of biogenic sediment (the skeletal remains of plants and animals) from the surrounding reef ecosystem.
One of the best and most popular examples of a cay in the United States are the Florida Keys. The Florida Keys are made up of over 1,700 islands in an area that is a fraction of the size of The Bahamas. Other examples of cays are Heron Island in Australia, Cayo Coco in Cuba, Great Goat Island in Jamaica, and Tobacco Caye in Belize. Whether you are fortunate enough to visit Bora Bora, or hang out at this beautiful place called Princess Cays, these locations are some of the most beautiful places on earth.
The purpose of EarthCaches are to educate people on earth science. If you pick up one fact regarding cays, then I have succeeded. Hope you enjoy your time at this beautiful location.
In order to get credit for this EarthCache, please send the owner of this EarthCache the answers to these simple questions regarding cays and this location. Please do not post your answers when you log your find:
1. How would you describe the water current here at Princess Cays?
2. Do you see any evidence of biogenic sediment here at Princess Cays?
3. Is there any coral visible (in the water or on the beach) at this location?
4. Unlike the pink sand of Harbour Island on the north end of Eleuthera, what is the color and texture of the sand here at Princess Cays?
5. Does this location meet the description of a cay as described in the information above?
6. When logging your find, please state the name of the cruise line along with the name of the ship.
7. Although not required, take a picture of you or your crew at the location with one of the cruise ships in the background.
