DO NOT WALK TO THIS CACHE!!!
This cache is only accessible by boat. It is illegal to walk along this section of beach or tresspass, and you are risking a $300 fine from the MNR if you are caught walking here.
This Earthcache is accessible via boat, PWC, kayak, or canoe ONLY and does NOT require you to touch, walk on or even get out of your vessel at the posted coordinates. In fact, even getting too close to the limestone cliffs in this area can result in damage to vessels, especially in low water, as the waves in this area will push your boat into the rocks whether you want it to or not. While the area is beautiful it can be quite dangerous. Always pay attention to wind and weather patterns before heading out and make sure you have all of the appropriate safety equipment with you at all times. There are many private launches along Carter Road and Barcovan Beach Road, however the recommended free parking is located at the end of Aylea Rd. You do not need to exit your watercraft to answer the questions!!
Many millennia ago, glaciers covered all of this area. Eventually the glaciers melted and they formed The Great Lakes. In the process, large deposits of sand were left behind. In Lake Ontario, the sand was eventually carried along by currents until it hit pre-glacial limestone outcroppings as seen at GZ. These limestone outcroppings were remnants of ancient sea beds.
Wherever these limestone headlands would appear, they would slow down the current and then sand would settle around the rock, eventually forming the large barrier beaches. What you see here is a Prime example of this process, formed over the last 10,000 years. There are several of these barrier beaches, with lagoons behind them in this area, including Wellers Bay, East Lake and West Lake.
So what is an outcrop? An outcrop consisting of several horizontal sedimentary rock layers represent a vertical time-series of geologic events. The textures of each sedimentary layer tells us the environment that was present at that location when the layer formed. Geologists use these textures to define the rock layer as a facies. If the environment changes, a new layer of sediment possessing a different texture will be laid on top of the existing layer.
Where do these outcrops come from? Limestone is a common type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate(CaCO3). Limestone forms when these minerals precipitate out of water containing dissolved calcium. Limestone hardness can be affected by the amount of calcium that is dissolved, as well as different mineral components when each layer of limestone is formed. This can take place through both biological and nonbiological processes, though biological processes, such as the accumulation of corals and shells in the sea, have likely been more important for the last 540 million years. The outcrops in the area were formed over millions of years through a process of differential erosion of these rocks of different hardnesses. Through time the soft rocks weather away or erode by the action of streams. The gradual removal of the soft rocks undercuts the resistant caprock, leaving a cliff or escarpment. The erosional process is most readily seen at Niagara Falls, where the river has quickened the process.
Limestone is partially soluble, especially in acid, and therefore forms many erosional landforms. These include limestone pavements, pot holes, cenotes, caves and gorges. Such erosion landscapes are known as karsts. Limestone is less resistant to erosion than most igneous rocks, but more resistant than most other sedimentary rocks. It is therefore usually associated with hills and downland, and occurs in regions with other sedimentary rocks, typically clays.
Outcrops do not cover the majority of the Earth's land surface because in most places the bedrock or superficial deposits are covered by soil and vegetation and cannot be seen or examined closely. However, in places where the overlying cover is removed through erosion or tectonic uplift, the rock may be exposed, or crop out. Such exposure will happen most frequently in areas where erosion is rapid and exceeds the weathering rate such as on steep hillsides, mountain ridges and tops, river banks, and tectonically active areas. This means that the outcrop you are here is actually a rare phenomenon, especially when you consider you are really in the middle of Lake Ontario, more than 250km from the well known Niagara Escarpment where you would expect to see this type of formation
In order to log this cache as found, please answer the following questions from at (or close to Gz). Please note - you will not be able to complete this cache by walking across the ice as it requires seeing and feeling the sand. This cannot be done when there is ice on the lake. Answers can be sent by email or by message to Pasha88. You do not need to wait for an answer before logging, but if answers aren't received within 3 days of logging your log may be deleted.
1. Estimate the height of the limestone cliff, from the water level to the top of the cliff. Do you think that the limestone cliffs extend below the water level? Why or why not? Estimate the total height of the limestone outcrop (both above and below the water level)
2. how many different colours of limestone do you see? Based on your knowledge or research, what do the different colours suggest?
3. Approximately how thick are the limestone layers in this area? Approximately how many layers do you see?
4. Do you see any signs of damage or erosion to the outcrop? Do you think it is strong enough to continue to act as a natural breakwall or do you think it will eventually collapse into the water?
5. Based on the listing, do you think that this outcropping will encourage sand deposit onto the beach, causing the beach to grow? What evidence to you see if the beach to the north either receding or growing?
6. Take a mandatory photo of yourself or your GPS or signature item with a section of the outcropping you do not need to show your face, but each Cacher needs their own photo attached to their log to show their visit to the site.
I do not expect PhD thesis level answers, but please make an effort to answer the questions to the best of your ability. Any logs without a photo will be deleted.
Stay safe and have fun - remember that a smilie is not worth risking your life for.