At the listed coords one will find a classic example of a a piece of yellow rock with a metal plaque on it.
The learning exercise of this cache is to identify what type of rock it is and from where the rock originates.
Geologists recognise that there are three main forms of rock: Sedimentary, Igneous and Metamorphic.
Sedimentary Rock
Sedimentary rocks form from deposits ( either rock or organic material eg plants or animals) that accumulate on the Earth's surface ( often sea beds). Sedimentary rocks often have distinctive layering or bedding. Sedimentary rock is granular ie made of grains. Examples of Sedimetary rock are Sandstone and Limestone.
Igneous Rocks
Igneous rocks (from the Latin word for fire) form when hot, molten rock crystallises and solidifies. The melt originates deep within the Earth near active plate boundaries or hot spots, then rises toward the surface. Igneous rocks have a crystal structure and the size of the crystals is dependent on how quickly the rock rises to the Earth Surface. The slower the larger the crystals. An example of an Igneous rock is Granite
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic rocks form when existing rocks ( Metamorphic, igneous or sedimentary) are subjected to high heat, high pressure, hot mineral-rich fluids or, more commonly, some combination of these factors. An example of a metamorphic rock is Marble.
So where do different types of yellow rock originate?
Sedimentary Rock
Hythe Sandstone is one of the most natural and widely found sandstones in West Sussex. It has been extensively employed for building work, coursed rubble walling, carved mouldings and some decorative work.
The most common Yellow Limestone occurs around the city of Jaisalmer, and around the towns of Bada Bag, Moolsagar, Kanod, Amarsagar, Chundi, Bhagata, Manria. The area is vast, occurring over an area of more than 5.4 million square metres.
Yellow Igneous rock
Yellow Indian Granite can be found in Rajasthan. It has speckles of black, toffee cream and chestnut colors on its surface Marigold and buff shades at its base
Yellow Metamorphic rocks
Jaisalmer Yellow Marble is a kind of yellow marble which is found in the northern parts of India. Most of its mines are situated in the Jaisalmer region of the Indian state Rajasthan. Its color is yellowish orange and is uniform throughout the stone's surface.
So to the Questions. Please answer the following questions about the yellow rock at the listed coords and send your answers by either email or messaging service. You may log a find as soon as you have sent your answers.
1. What are the dimensions of the rock?
2. Please describe the rock in terms of grain or Crystal make up, layers, uniformity in colour, texture to the touch and whether the rock is flakey.
3. After reading the cache page please identify whether the rock is sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic. Please give justification to your answer.
4. After classifying the rock, what do you think the name of the rock is?
5. Please give a reason why you think this type of rock was used.
6. Finally please post a photo of you or an identifying feature of you next to the road side 20 feet away from the rock.
Thanks for visiting the EarthCache.