Spa Springs EarthCache

Spa Springs

Spa Springs is a community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located in Annapolis County. It is located on the North Mountain which is a narrow southwest-northeast trending volcanic ridge on the mainland portion of southwestern Nova Scotia, stretching from Brier Island to Cape Split. It forms the northern edge of the Annapolis Valley along the shore of the Bay of Fundy.

Spa Springs is known for  mineral water found deep underground. The calcium-rich, gold-filtered mineral water is one of only 30 mineral waters from outside Germany and the only one from North America to have been officially certified as a natural mineral water. The Mi'kmaq people revered the mineral-rich water as a fountain of youth as early as 1500 and believed that it had powerful healing properties and drank for its nutritional value. It was also known by locals to help with common ailments and inflammation for hundreds of years.

Geology:

The water and its origin.

In Nova Scotia for more than 1.2 billion years enormous rock formations were shifted and folded, weathered by wind and water and constantly rearranged. A variety of different layers and formations of the Earth’s crust in close proximity to each can be seen here. Making its way through these layers of rock the water has achieved an incomparable level of purity and mineralization. This mineral water has made its way through layers of rock bearing the imprint of continental shifts, volcanic eruptions and glacier movements to obtain a unique level of purity and mineralization.

Mineral springs are naturally occurring springs that produce water containing minerals, or other dissolved substances, that alter its taste or give it a purported therapeutic value. Salts, sulfur compounds, and gases are among the substances that can be dissolved in the spring water during its passage underground. Ground water may contain dissolved minerals and gases that give it the tangy taste enjoyed by many people. Without these minerals and gases, the water would taste flat. The most common dissolved mineral substances are sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, and sulfate.

The minerals in the spring water found at Spa Springs mineral water is sourced from a natural spring that flows over layers of rock formed over 1.2 billion years ago in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. The water from Spa Springs is high in bicarbonate, which helps cycle oxygen through the body and promotes a healthy pH level helping with functions like kidney health. It is also a good source of calcium, which strengthens the bones and benefits muscle tissue. The mineral water is also a good source of sulfates, which can help aid in detoxification of the body. Spa Springs mineral water is also a source of Magnesium, which helps maintain normal muscle function and works to support the immune system.

To log this Earthcache visit the viewing location.  Please answer the following questions and send in a timely manner to my geocaching profile or email. Answers not received will result in deleted logs.

Questions:

1. How many meters/feet above sea level at ground zero?

2. Describe the flow and colour of the water in the creek?

3. Using Reference A (N44° 59.236' W65° 03.440') determine the distance to the start of the brook?

4. Post a picture in your log with a personal item or hand in picture to prove you were there.

[REQUIRED] In accordance with the updated guidelines from Geocaching Headquarters published in June 2019, photos are now an acceptable logging requirement and WILL BE REQUIRED TO LOG THIS CACHE. Please provide a photo of yourself or a personal item in the picture to prove you visited the site.