There is no physical container at the cache site as this is an EarthCache!
Do not attempt this cache at night! Observations should always be done during the day with optimal lighting.
Please be respectful of the area and it’s residents, big or small!
Always practice CITO!
There is no reason to leave the road. All observations can be made from the posted coordinates.
For this EarthCache, we will be observing a small cliff and learning about mass wasting.
Cliffs
A cliff is a steep slope of earth materials, usually formed from a rock face, that is nearly vertical and may be overhanging. Cliffs are formed by weathering and erosion processes. Cliffs are common along coasts, in mountainous regions, escarpments and along rivers. Most cliffs have some form of scree slope at their base. In arid areas or under high cliffs, they are generally exposed piles of fallen rock. In areas of higher moisture, a soil slope may hide the talus. Many cliffs also feature waterfalls or rock shelters.
Escarpments
An escarpment, or scarp, is a type of cliff formed by the movement of a geologic fault or landslides, or by rock slides, by falling rock, or other types of mass wasting.
Mass Wasting
Mass wasting, also referred to by the non-technical term "landslide", is the down-slope movement of a mass of sediment and/or rock due mainly to the force of gravity. The "mass" part of the name implies that a somewhat coherent grouping of sediment/rock begins moving downward due to the force of gravity, and usually in combination with some triggering mechanism such as an earthquake or rapid erosion of the base of a slope. The "wasting" part of mass wasting means that a cliff or mountain slope is diminishing in size, or wasting away. This can occur suddenly with tremendous destructive force, or very slowly with only a gradual alteration of Earth’s surface over a period of many years. Given enough time and repetition, the different types of mass wasting can play significant roles in reducing a tall mountain to a mound of low rolling hills, or in widening a narrow canyon into a broad stream valley.
Mass Wasting Triggers
Soil and regolith remain on a hillslope only while the gravitational forces are unable to overcome the frictional forces keeping the material in place. Factors that reduce the frictional resistance relative to the downslope forces, and thus initiate slope movement, can include:
A) Earthquakes
B) Increased overburden from structures
C) Increased soil moisture
D) Reduction of roots holding the soil to bedrock
E) Undercutting of the slope by excavation or erosion
F) Weathering due to frost heaving
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS:
Please answer the following questions, to your best ability, using the information above. When you feel you have them answered correctly, send me your answers via the Geocaching websites messaging feature, or through email. Any "Found It" logs without the requirements being sent in, will be deleted.
Please include the GC code of this cache and the number of people in your party in your message.
1) Estimate the height of this cliff.
2) Estimate the length from one end to the other.
3) Is there a "scree" pile at the base of the cliff?
4) Through the processes of weathering and erosion, do you think this cliff could continue to recede?
5) What do you think caused this cliff to form?
6) This IS a requirement!
Please post or send me a photo of yourself or a personal object as proof you were at the site. Your face does not have to be included within the picture.
I hope you enjoyed this EarthCache, and most of all, I hope you learned something new!
Sources: Wiki, geology.com, britannica.com, Nationalgeographic.org, Personal Knowledge of Earth Science and Geology