Sandstone @ Paximadia
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Welcome to Paximadia. The two small, uninhabited islands south of Crete, like Crete itself, offer a wealth of (geological) geological history. You can see and learn a lot, you just have to open your eyes. We don't want to write anything more about Crete itself, you probably already know everything. The two Paximadia islands are about 14km off the south coast of Crete. You should definitely refrain from attempting to swim here! You won't be able to do that and you're just putting your life at risk!
How did you get here?
You need a boat! Either you rent one or you use an excursion boat. The latter departs from Agia Galini during the summer months. Find Nikos Voulgarakis' boat in the harbor. Attention, the other boats that also go to Paximadia, go to another bay and not to this Earthcache ! This also applies to the boat from Kokinos Pirgos (Matala). With a lot of wind and corresponding waves, no boats go to Paximadia.
Sandstone
Sandstone belongs to the sedimentary rocks. It consists of at least 50% sand grains. The grains of sand themselves have a size between 0.063 and 2mm and mostly consist of quartz, but can also consist of various minerals. Due to the minerals, the sandstone can also have different colors. When sandstone is formed, the sediments are deposited and cemented. There may also be admixtures of clay, silt and pieces of boulders. The process often happens in running water (e.g. rivers). There, the sediments are deposited in hollows and solidify. You can later see what conditions existed on site. With very fine, thin layers of sandstone, the water was correspondingly turbulent and only thin layers could form. With very thick layers it was correspondingly calm and there were deep zones in which a lot of sediment could be deposited. A kind of separating layer can often be seen between the individual sandstone layers. This glitters. It also consists of different minerals. This is the so-called mica. They also mean that you can split sandstone very well in these places. This often results in rectilinear structures.
On site Find the spot in the picture. Unfortunately, the GPS is very imprecise here due to the high rock faces. In the picture you are looking from the south to the north. You see two large blocks of sandstone there (Point 1 &2).
You are looking for the two stones that are covered by the ovals !
In order to be allowed to log this cache as a find, please send us the answers to the questions before you log, after that, you may log immediately. If something is wrong, we will contact you. No spoiler pics please! Also not from / to the other Earthcaches on site! If you want to log this Earthcache, please send your own answers. Because the EC should be instructive! If you do not follow these rules, we will unfortunately have to delete your log!
Here the questions:
1. Describes the color, appearance and surface features of Point 1 stone.
2. Describes the color, appearance and surface features of the Point 2 stone.
3. Compare the thicknesses of the sandstone layers of points 1 & 2 and describe the differences.
4. What conclusion do you draw about the formation of the two blocks?
5. Look around. Is there more sandstone in this size, where do the blocks come from?
6. Look around. Estimate the proportion of sandstone around you.
7. At which of the two points do you find the most visible admixtures? Describe these in terms of strength and orientation to the sandstone layers.
8. What does your finding on #7 mean in terms of genesis?
9. Take a picture of yourself on the beach (no spoilers!!!) with the boat you came on in the background. This picture to the log or with the answers to us. (Log condition!)
We wish you a lot of fun & enjoy Paxmiadia !!!
Sources: Wikipedia, own observations on site