This is an EarthCache and has special requirements for logging it. You cannot log a Found It without responding to the logging requirements set out below.
Only one find claim per Message. Each Geocacher claiming a find must submit an individual response. One team can not lodge a response on behalf of a group of people.
The area
This earth cache is at Sandstone Point. Not surprisingly then, the rock formation under the microscope here is Sandstone! To be specific, ir is called Landsborough Sandstone, thought to be primarily laid down during the Jurassic period, which began 201.3 million years ago (Mya) and ended 145 Mya. The Jurassic Period is named after the Jura Mountain range on the France / Switzerland border. Interestingly, the average temperature of the Earth during the Jurassic period was around 16.5°C (61.7°F). This is warmer than the current average temperature, which is about 14°C (57.2°F).
The Geology
The sandstone cliffs here are abrupt, formed by erosion by coastal streams. Layering is clearly visible. As the nearby mountains formed, sand, silt, tiny pieces of rock, and other sediments washed into the water and sank to the bottom and, over time, formed layers and layers of sediments, one on top of the other.
The flat "beach" area is also sedimentary in nature. The sedimentary rock here is composed of a substantial fraction of rounded to subangular gravel-size clasts (chunky rock). A conglomerate typically contains a matrix (what is between the clasts - chunky rocks) of fine-grained sediments, such as sand, silt, or clay,
The clasts and matrix are typically cemented by calcium carbonate (a whiteish, powdery form is used in Antacid Tablets), iron oxide (darkish red to black compound of iron and oxygen and you do have some iron oxides in your blood - the hemoglobin), silica (silicon dioxide (SiO2 works as an anti-caking agent, and manufacturers add small amounts to some foods, cosmetics, and more to prevent products from clumping and binding together), or hardened clay (think of Terracotta pots).
The iron oxide component of sandstone is what gives the reddish layers their colour. When in sufficiently dense amounts, the iron oxide forms into Hematite, and dark red to black rock ( Fe2O3 ), and is, relatively to equivalent sandstone sizes) quite heavy. Then when sandstone is eroded away completely, hematite rocks are all that remains.
Logging requirements
To claim this smiley 😀 you MUST provide answers to the three questions below.
If you do not submit answers within a reasonable time, your log is likely to be deleted.
From your observations at each of the following:-
WP1 (The published coordinates)
WP2 At S27 05.204 E153 07.432
WP3 At S27 05.179 E153 07.341
1. you will see sandstone layers. Describe the layers you see based on the information given above.
2. you will see rock formations that look different from the cliff formations. What makes these large rocks different from the cliff at the published coordinates?
3. you will see a lot of smaller rocks with more consistent colour. What type of rock might this be and why?
AND, importantly,
4. Take a photo of yourself (or some identification) to identify your presence at the cliff face, but please do not post it in your log, it might give too much away.
When you have your response to the above questions, please Message us, using the link at the top of the page underneath the name of the Cache. We prefer the Message method, as apparently, we don't respond to emails very well, but messages we do. We will contact you by Message once your Message has been received.
But please log your Found It 😀 in the meantime, and just say that you have Messaged your answers to the CO. We do reply to all logs within a reasonable time, and if there is a problem with your answers, we will ask you for further clarification.
Happy Earthcaching!