EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. ... "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." (4.3. EarthCache logging tasks)
Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
NOTE: Answers via message -and- two log signature pictures are required to post a find for this cache.
PART 1 - GRAND KUGAL
1. MESSAGE ... Based on the reading, why was the original granite ball replaced?
2. MESSAGE ... Based on your observations, where was the granite formed - within the Earth or surface of the Earth?
3. LOG ... Take a picture of either you or your signature item at the Grand Kugal.
PART 2 - MUSEUM COLUMNS
3. MESSAGE ... a. Rub your hand over the columns. Are they extremely rough, rough, smooth, or polished? / b. Is there any indication of weathering.
4. MESSAGE ... What sedimentary features are observable in these columns?
5. LOG ... Take a picture of you or your signature item at a sedimentary feature in the columns.
OPTIONAL - Locate the original Grand Kugal within the Museum (fee required).
A. MUSEUM ... 1. MESSAGE ... Give two differences between the Grand Kugal within the Museum and the Grand Kugal displayed outside. / 2. LOG ... Take a picture of either you or your signature item here.
B. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
C. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you ... prose / story / poem / picture. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU Hunter for permission to share this learning adventure.
THANK YOU Museum staff for information on the Grand Kugal.
GRANITE BALL
The ball has to be perfectly spherical with both ball and receiver perfectly matched in diameter. It can then be easily moved due to hydrostatic pressure and the lubricating effect of the water. It is amazing to see and easily move this huge granite ball floating on a film of water, similar to an automobile hydroplaning (losing connection with the road) when going too fast on wet pavement.
According to the calculations on the You Tube video, the Grand Kugal is 8'8.7" diameter / density 2.75 g per cu cm / 29.85 tons / 59704.4 lbs. It is the largest in the world.
The original ball was made of South African granite. It developed a crack, so no longer moved. Hence it was replaced with the ball you now see. It is made of Tarn Granite. The original ball is on display within the museum. Admission is required to view the exhibits. Interesting to note that even a slight disruption in the layer of water can result in the huge sphere just sitting in its receptacle and unable to move.
COOLING RATE AND CRYSTAL SIZE
The size of crystals in an igneous rock is an indicator of the conditions where the rock formed. An igneous rock with large crystals probably indicates that the rock formed deep within the Earth where it cooled slowly giving time for crystals to grow. An igneous rock with small crystals probably indicates that the rock formed close to the surface where it cooled rapidly and did not allow time for crystals to grow very big. Some magma cools so quickly that no crystals form.
BROAD STREET STATION
Broad Street Station is an old historic train station that now houses the Science Museum of Virginia. With admission you can visit the old loading platforms out back where the original, much darker Grand Kugel is on display.
INDIANA LIMESTONE
The exterior of Broad Street Station is made of limestone known as the Bedford or Indiana Limestone which formed over 330 million years ago, when the interior of what would become the United States was covered with a warm and relatively shallow tropical ocean. The ocean waves continually moved the sand breaking up the calcite remains of the deceased marine organisms. The limestone rock is formed from compaction and cementation of these organisms and is thus classified as sedimentary. Due to the continuous wave action, most of the fossils that are found consist of trace remains. "The limestone is soft and easily worked when quarried, but once the quarried rock dries it becomes case-hardened, that is, its surface becomes harder and more resistant to weathering."
RESOURCES ... Travel / Richmond / You Tube / Spheres / Museum / Indiana Limestone 1 / Earthcache VA / Earthcache NC