Glacial Erratics
Glacial erratics are said to be large rocks which have been broken off and moved from their original location by a glacier. These huge rocks were often moved hundreds of miles and then deposited by the receding glacier on top of a completely different bedrock type in a far away area. Travelling Ontario’s roads, erratics are a common site in many fields. Glacial erratics can range from a few millimeters to several metres in diameter, however, as they stand out from their surroundings, we tend to notice larger erratics. Ontario has many erratics, particularly in the north, however its very rare in the Buckhorn area to find erratics as large as the ones listed below.
A glacial erratic is a piece of rock that differs from the size or type of rock native to the area in which it rests. "Erratics" take their name from the Latin word errare, and are carried by glacial ice, often over distances of hundreds of kilometres. Erratics can range in size from pebbles to large boulders. Examination of their mineral make-up often leads to the identification of their origin.
Buckhorn Glacial Erratics
Adam & Eve Rocks
Adam & Eve Rocks, are 2 large glacial erratics. The fact that there were two erratics deposited so close together is quite rare.
In this case the rock is pink granite sitting on Canadian shield bedrock. The rocks are massive boulders which are sitting atop smooth bedrock. They are clearly and significantly out of place with the surrounding land formations.
Folklore has it that if a young couple can hold hands and each touch one of the rocks, their lives will be blessed.
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Estimate the circumference of one of these rocks. One way to do this is to pace around one of the rocks while reaching up as high as you can to touch the rock all the way around. If you know the length of one of your steps, this will tell you about how far around it is at the largest circumference. How many metres is the circumference? _________ metres
Radius is half of the diameter. Diameter is the distance through the centre. How many metres is the radius of one of the rocks? _____ metres
Diameter = Circumference ÷ ∏
Radius = Diameter ÷ 2
Volume of a sphere = 1.3 X ∏ r 3 The rocks are roughly spherical.
If you do the calculations using metres, the volume will be in metres cubed.
To make it easier, since this is for fun, you could use 3 for ∏ instead of 3.14
Volume= 1.3 X 3 X Radius X Radius X Radius
Granite has a mass of approximately 2,750kg per metre cubed. Wow. Those rocks are heavy.
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To fulfill the requirements for this cache:
1. Post a photo of Adam and Eve Rocks, along with yourself, a thumbs up or or a personal object from the west side of the rocks facing the road in the photo.
2. Send a message to the cache owner with the estimated circumference of one of the rocks, in metres. For bonus points, what would be the mass of the rock?
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While you are in the area, you may want to complete the nearby Earthcache, The Land Between Ecotone (GC7Y8JK), to learn more about the local geology.
Another large erratic can be found across the bridge. Council Rock is at N 44 33.246 W078 20.630
The Missisauga people along with a number of other indiginous used the lakes and streams in the area as a means of transportation and a source for food through fishing. The large rock, located near the bridge on the shores of Buckhorn rapids, known as "Council Rock” or “Balancing Rock” is believed to be the site of Council meetings.
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Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.