There She Blows EarthCache

There She Blows

Cape and Sand is a popular spot with locals for excursions along the rocky cliffs, rock climbing, photography, and picnics. A 300 meter walk down a trail will bring you to this cool blow hole on the Bay of Fundy. Thanks to DaFoosa for showing us this Phenomenon. Difficulty was adjusted to the tides and caution needed to get this one. This photo was taken about 2 hours before high tide should you want to see it in action. Caution needed in viewing especially on the wet rocks from the spray from the Bay of Fundy. We saw it best keeping to the eastside of the blowhole. 

Geology

Scoured by glaciers one million years ago, and filled by a rising water level in the world oceans, the gigantic ebb and flow of saltwater in the Bay of Fundy has been in motion for at least the last 6,000 years, and is unrivaled in the world. Twice each and every day (every 12 hours and 26 minutes to be precise) 100 billion tons of water flow in and out of the bay, providing a constant flow of fresh, cold, nutrient-rich water to support the rich population of marine life.

In geology, a blowhole or marine geyser is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in hydraulic compression of seawater that is released through a port from the top of the blowhole. This view of the hole is the top of the sea cave that could be a blow hole if the water is forced in with enough force.

The blowhole was formed from the erosion of softer material within the basalt lava flows that were created approximately 260 million years ago. The ocean waves get squeezed into that space and all that energy has nowhere to go but through that opening be it big or small.

Wave attack is one of the more dominant marine processes that affects shore erosion. Solution from ocean water, biological activity, and water level can also play a role. Wedge action caused by wave energy compressing air in fissures within the rock can also aid in erosion and note that when wind and waves propagate along the direction of maximum fetch at high tide, critical tide levels exist. At these critical tide levels, more energy is delivered to the shore, and increased erosion can occur. Even though the effects of tides and waves on coastal erosion are well recognized, the connection between these two forces and other environmental variables are still poorly understood. Other debris in the water, like ice and wood, can have a similar effect. Ice cover can help damp.

View of the mouth of the sea cave below the 'blow hole'. Tide was coming in.

To log this Earthcache visit the viewing location. Please answer the following questions and send in a timely manner to my geocaching profile or email. Answers not received will result in deleted logs.

1. What caused the blow hole to form?

2. What is the diameter of the hole?

3. Will the arch erode to eliminate the blow hole over time?

4. Post a picture in your log with a personal item or hand in picture to prove you were there.

[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.