The location of this EC is also has great free camping, 4x4 capable vehicles recommended, there are also many undercut cliffs so please be mindful of where you are walking and standing and watch the younger generation around them. There is a fabulous sea cave nearby, we highly recommend climbing down to it on calm days. Reference point listed.
The posted coordinates are our recommendation for easily finding fairy clogs just in case you cannot gain access to this particular spot we have listed a couple of other nearby locations; you may even find your own location. They were in abundance amongst the sand dunes and under the ledge in front of you which can be easily stepped down onto.
If you intend keeping any of your finds, please follow this link to read about your obligations. This location is considered public land. Tap here.
Firstly, we need to give you a quick rundown of the geology of the area around you. The area could be described bast as a steeply cliffed coastline, with cross-bedding (layering) in Aeolianite (a type dune limestone) cliffs, containing fossil soils and capped with a calcrete (very hard rock) upper surface. Some parabolic dunes are present along the top of the cliffs. The fossil layers we are exploring in this earth science lesson belong to Quaternary – Pleistocene period of more commonly known as the Ice Age.
Secondly, we need to tell you about fossils. What is a fossil? Fossil from Latin fossus, literally "having been dug up" are the mineralized or otherwise preserved remains or traces (such as footprints) of animals, plants, and other organisms. The totality of fossils, both discovered and undiscovered, and their placement in fossiliferous (fossil-containing) rock formations and sedimentary layers (strata) is known as the fossil record. The study of fossils across geological time, how they were formed, and the evolutionary relationships between phylogeny (history of the evolution) are some of the most important functions of the science of palaeontology and geology.
The relative geological time scale, as developed during the 19th century, is based largely on the fossil content of the rock strata. The development of dating techniques in the early 20th century allowed geologists to determine the absolute age of the various strata and the included fossils.
So, what are these fairy clogs we speak of?
They are actually the handy work of the Broad-back Weevil (Leptopius duponti), they are fossilised cocoons and are endemic (only found here) to the West Coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Geologist have established that they are approximately 100,000 million years old.
The female Weevil lays eggs on the leaves of trees but when the beetle larva hatches, it descends to the ground and burrows itself until it is ready to make the change from larva to adult beetle. During the pupal stage which takes several months, the larva makes a "cell or case" around itself using the soil and a secretion that hardens the soil. The new adult beetle then emerges itself from the cell wall thus creating the opening of the cocoon, it then climbs to the surface of the ground towards the tree where it lives the rest of its life.
The empty pupal cases underground calcifies and mineralises over a period of time and turns into a fossil. When soil erosion occurs, the empty pupal cases are then pushed towards the ground's surface. Some of the cases are empty, some still have the lava inside and others are full of coprolite, the coprolite were most likely from an invertebrate that has fed on the weevil larva.
At the posted coordinates they maybe entire or part fossils laying at your feet, they may be sticking out of the sand mounds nearby or if you step down to the ledge in front, you will see them embedded in the cliff. As erosion occurs continually the concentration will vary and continually change from time to time. If you are having trouble locating some don’t forget to check out the other reference points listed.
To claim the find on this earth cache we require you to search around for a fossil or two or three. Then message us and tell us about your find.
1. Describe the weight, apparent density, and general size of the fossil.
2. Is there a particular feature that confirms to you that you have found a ‘Clog?’ Are they all the same?
3. Please also include a photo of you, your team or significant item with your find.
You are welcome to log your answers straight away to keep your TB's and Stats in order but please message us with your answers within a couple of days. Cachers who do not fulfil this Earth Cache requirement will have their logs deleted without notice.