From the Al Rouche Rock View point you can see a natural landmark called the Pigeons' Rock, an offshore rock couple, formed in the prehistoric era by a geological movement. These two huge rock formations are a popular destination for both locals and visitors.
The open rocky area Dalieh and Raouche are etched with features and inscriptions that could trace Lebanon's geological history. Geologically, it is very important because it shows all the different types of processes that have helped shape the Lebanese coast.
There are several types of mass movement, MASS WASTING, that occur along a coastline. Mass wasting is a type of erosion that results in the mass movement of rock, soil and debris down a slope due to the force of gravity, usually onto the shore. Some of this movement can take years, where a large mass moves slowly down a hill. It can also be extremely rapid, such as a toppled stone, or even a stone avalanche.
Rockfall
Rockfall is the fastest of all landslide types and occurs when rocks are broken down by freeze-thaw weathering, this loosened material is vulnerable to the elements. If the rock is at the top of a steep cliff face, it can fall directly to the shore. This can occur more so when a wave cut notch is created at the foot of the cliff by wave action, causing the overhanging rock to be unsupported and more likely to fall.
Soil creep
Soil creep is a process operating at the granular scale. It happens on gentle slopes and is noticeable from the wavy surface it produces. Damp soil moves very slowly down the slope as the weight of water pushes it forwards. Rain splash may release soil grains that fall further downslope.
Landslide
Landslides arise when rocks and unconsolidated material on the cliff face are saturated with water (rain or wave-splash). Eventually the material slips down the slope. Landslides occur more often on soft rock coastlines where there are natural joints in the rock, into which water can get. They occur on steep gradient slopes and are very similar to slumps, although slumps occur on shallower, concave slopes.
Slumping
With rotational slumping, heavy rain is absorbed by unconsolidated material making up the cliff (often glacial till, or boulder clay). The surface of the cliff becomes heavier and eventually it separates from the material behind at a rain-lubricated slip plane. Slumping occurs on a concave cliff face and contributes to this shape as successive slumps accumulate. Material at the slump foot (toe) have to be removed by wave action before more slumping can replace it.
Mudflows
Mudflows, meaning when mud travels down a slope very quickly, occur on very steep slopes along the coastline. Where the vegetation is limited to bind the soil together and the ground is very saturated heavy rain can produce sheet flow over the upper cliff surface. The soil continues to be lubricated and it eventually flows over the cliff face and down onto the shore at a fast speed.
EarthCache
To log this EarthCache you have to visit the above coordinates and answer the questions. Send your answers to the questions to me. You do not need to wait for my reply. Do not write any answers in your log. Logs that does not fulfill these requirements will be deleted.
Questions:
-
Please identify what kind of mass wasting took place here? Why do you think so?
-
There is an alternative mythological legend connected to these rocks. What is it?
-
What is the height and the width of the rocks?
-
Take a photo with the background of the rocks together with your geocaching name and the date of your visit. Attach the picture to your log. [OPTIONAL]