This Earthcache will give you a look at the weathering effects on headstones. Please be respectful of the area and obey all cemetery rules. The posted coordinates take you to stage 1.
What is Weathering and Its Characteristics
Weathering is the altering of the physical and/or chemical composition of earth materials due to the action of weather conditions. This could include changes to color, texture, composition, or other forms to exposed objects.
Headstones are subjected to weathering simply by standing in a cemetery. Headstones provide a useful means of observing and measuring the weathering of different types of rock over relatively long and easily measurable periods of time. Below are types and characteristics of weathering forms.
Weathering Form
|
Characteristics
|
Granular
disintegration |
Mineral grains are visible as protruding forms on the surface, which has a 'sugary' feel when touched. Little or no flaking. On some headstones the edges of the lettering will become rounded and less distinct as weathering proceeds. |
| Flaking |
Fragments of varying sizes become detached from surface. These fragments may be derived from the main body of a sheet of detaching material or to the underlying mass of stone. |
| Blistering |
A domed or raised surface to the headstone appears. This dome sounds hollow when tapped. Over time the dome bursts and flakes of stone fall away from the central dome. The inside of the blister may appear to be composed of more friable material. |
Contour
weathering |
A whole surface breaks away from the headstone as a single sheet. The sheet tends to follow the contours of the underlying carved form. |
| Pitting |
Distinct depressions on the surface of a headstone. These can be shallow or deep in form. Measurement is possible either directly by measuring length, breadth and depth or indirectly by classifying into classes based on size. |
| Black crusts |
Black deposits often found in sheltered areas. On marble headstones these crusts often have 'cauliflower' forms at the micro-scale. This is indicative of calcium sulfate, a crust formed by dry deposition. Where crusts form on exposed areas these are likely to be deposits of soot and particulate matter alone. |
| Organic forms |
Often there are algae growths or lichen on the headstone surface. These tend to indicate the presence of a regular supply of moisture to a surface. It is unclear whether these organic forms retard or enhance weathering. In extremely moist conditions on old headstones mosses can be found. |
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
To earn credit for this Earthcache, send me the answers to the questions below. Please do not include answers in your visit log. CITO when you can and enjoy the adventure!
Find each of the following headstones to make your observations.
Stage 1: Samuel and Emily Lozer - N41 33.488 W 084 10.184
**What type of weathering do you see here? What is the most visible characteristic?
Stage 2: Thomas Bayes - N41 33.498 W 084 10.165
**What type of weathering do you see here? What is the most visible characteristic?
Stage 3: Viola and Amos Figy - N41 33.490 W 084 10.150
**What type of weathering do you see here? What is the most visible characteristic?
Stage 4: Alfred McMannis - N41 33.491 W 084 10.160
**Does this headstone support signs of contour weathering?
Stage 5: Floyd and Betty Lucas - N41 33.486 W 084 10.186
Stage 6: Virginia and Willard Henry - N41 33.488 W 084 10.185
**Look and feel the weathering on the north end of each of these two stones. These stones are made from the same type material. Why does one stone show signs of weathering and the other does not?