Let's Celebrate International Earthcache Day
11:00 am to 11:30 by the Thames
The River Thames
The name "Thames" is derived from Middle English Temese, derived from its Brittonic name Tamesas, recorded in Latin as Tamesis. In Oxford, the Thames is known as the "Isis" which is thought to be a shortening of Tamesis. It is believed that the Tam part of its name means "dark" or "dark grey". Another possible origin of its name is from before the Britons, a name meaning "muddiness" from the root ta - "melt".
The Thames is the longest river in England and the second longest in the UK. The River Thames has played a significant part in the geology, history, economy, navigation, growth and society of London. There is so much that could be said on the history and influence of The Thames both on London and on the UK; however, today's focus is geology.
The geological history of the Thames goes back over 30 million years when it was once a tributary of the Rhine (before Britain was an island). During the Great Ice Age 10,000 years ago, the Thames changed its course and pushed through the Chilterns at a place known as Goring Gap. Then the river was 10 times its present size, a high energy, fast flowing river fuelled by the melting ice sheets. After the river slowed down, about 3,000 years ago, it became the meandering river that we know today.
Please join the host by the Thames at North Greenwich to celebrate geocaching and, in particular, Earthcaches. All geocachers are welcome and we will chat about all things associated with geocaching. Please also bring your TBs to swap and to be discovered.