When I'd seen this feature, and realised it looked like a sleeping Giants face, who could it be? Well, perhaps it's something from Dr Who....
Seriously, getting back to the EarthCache, you're here to look at erosion.
Erosion is the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water. A similar process, weathering, breaks down or dissolves rock, but does not involve movement.
Erosion that has happened for hundreds of years, if not thousands.
Mechanical Erosion
There are 4 main agents of mechanical erosion:
1) Moving liquid water
2) Wind
3) Gravity
4) Ice
Wind will have an erosion effect on the rocks, due to its elevation and postion
However, you are here to look at the "Face of the Giant".
If we consider water erosion, it comes to 2 types:
Abrasive
Rocks and other particles carried in water, scrape the rock surface. As the indentation becomes bigger, more rocks get trapped, swirl around, causing more erosion. This usually gives a circular eroded area. Eventually the rocks causing this erosion will become so small that they are transported away by the water.
Freeze/Thaw
Constant freezing and thawing forces any cracks wider open, allowing more water in, giving a larger area to freeze next time, forcing the crack wider open, etc etc.
The answers I'd like from you, via messenger or email , are to the following questions:
1)a) Do you think the "Face of the Giant" was originally in this plane/orientation, or do you think it's been rotated through 90, or 180, or 270 degrees, from the horizontal? and b) explain why you you have come to this conclusion
2) The erosion on this rock, gives it its unique look, so,
a) What main type of erosion has occurred on this face, abrasion or freeze/thaw? Or have both occurred? Please explain how you have come to this answer.
b) How many distinct large eroded areas can you see? (Yes, I know large is subjective), but tell me how many you count, and how do you think these have been formed over time?
3) You will be able to trace, where water has flowed, how many of the eroded areas may once have been connected?
4) If you wish, please include a photograph of you, or your GPS, or the view from the ground. Please DO NOT add a picture to the log of the Giants Face, however much you marvel at it!