This EarthCache will take you to the Donald Fountain in Dunfermline Public Park.
Igneous rocks form when molten rock originating from deep within the earth’s crust cools (either below the surface as an intrusion e.g. granite, or above the surface as an extrusion e.g. basalt lava). The resulting igneous rock is composed of interlocking crystals, the size of which depends on the time taken for the molten rock to cool. If the molten rock cooled rapidly, the crystals are small if it cooled slowly, the crystals will be large. A common building stone of the latter type is granite – due to the large crystal size in granite it is a very aesthetically pleasing rock, and is found in many forms, on buildings, being used for ornamental pillars and fountains etc.
This granite fountain is composed with pink crystals of the mineral feldspar and large black xenoliths. A xenolith is an inclusion in the magma which formed the granite and quite often it is part of the existing country rock into which the magma was forced.
There are several xenoliths in this fountain.
Q1.Describe the size ,shape and position of the largest xenolith.
Q2.What distinguishes it from the granite surrounding it?
Q3. How do you think the xenoliths got there?
Q4. Please provide a photo of yourself or a personal item near GZ (without giving away the answers).
Answers to questions 1-3 should be sent by the message centre or email.
Please DO NOT include the answers in your log.
Logs entered without answers being sent will be deleted.