Kettle Ponds - Juneau Earthcache #8
Welcome to this Earthcache page dedicated to exploring the captivating formation of kettle ponds. These unique geological features are remnants of Earth's glacial past and offer valuable insights into the shaping of our landscapes. Join us on a journey to unravel the mysteries behind kettle pond formation and discover the fascinating processes that have sculpted these natural wonders.
Please note that this is an Earthcache! There is no container at GZ, but rather you must make observations at GZ to answer the questions at the bottom of this cache page. These answers must be sent to the CO in order to log the find.
What are Kettle Ponds?
Kettle ponds are small, shallow bodies of water found in regions once covered by glaciers. These ponds owe their existence to the dramatic events of the Ice Age, when colossal sheets of ice spread across vast areas of the Earth's surface. As glaciers advanced, they scoured the land, creating deep depressions called kettle holes. When these depressions filled with water, kettle ponds were formed. At this location, the kettle lakes were formed by the retreat of the Mendenhall Glacier. This makes these kettle ponds relatively new in geologic terms since this area was under ice 200 years ago.
When this area was under ice, glaciers eroded the underlying bedrock, forming large depressions known as kettle holes. These kettle holes could vary in size from a few meters across to several kilometers in length. As climate warms and the mendenhall glacier recedes, chunks of ice calve off the glacier and are left behind in these kettle holes. As these large chunks of ice settle into the kettle holes, the ice is surrounded by sediment deposition and water. The melting ice chunks become submerged within this water-sediment mixture as they begin to melt. Finally, the water-sedminet mixture settled and the ice melted leaving behind kettle ponds. These ponds are characterized by shallow depth, irregualr shapes (often resembling a kettle or a cauldron, hence the name) and often no natural source of water flow.
The Importance of Kettle Ponds
Kettle ponds offer valuable insights into past glacial activity and provide a habitat for various plants and animals. They also serve as significant geological markers, indicating the presence and extent of glacial deposits in an area. These ponds act as natural laboratories, allowing scientists and researchers to study the processes of glacial erosion, sedimentation, and ecological succession. Kettle ponds are extraordinary remnants of the Earth's glacial past, offering a glimpse into the immense power and lasting effects of ancient ice sheets. The formation process of kettle ponds showcases the dynamic interplay between glacial erosion, retreat, and sediment deposition. By understanding these processes, we can better appreciate the natural wonders around us and the intricate geological history they embody.
Questions
An Earthcache poses an earh science lesson and then asks the cacher to answer several questions to log the find. Please answer the below questions based on the reading above and observations at the posted coordinates. Please send your answers to the cache owner and log your find!
- At Ground Zero stand and face the lake. You look to your left and to your right. Do you see any natural sources of water that refill the pond or drain from the pond? Do you see any manmade ones? How do you think this pond stay filled with water?
- Is this lake relatively shallow or deep. How can you tell?
- Do your observations in the above two questions support defininig this lake as a Kettle Pond? Why or why not?
- Take a photo of yourself in front of the lake and post it with your log. If you'd prefer not to include a photo of yourself, you may instead include a photo of a personal geocaching object.
Resources
- https://www.nps.gov/articles/kettles.htm
- https://www.coastalneighborhoods.com/blog/what-is-a-kettle-pond/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E99D6aTtYLo
This earthcache was placed with permission of a NFS ranger!