Around you at Ground Zero are droplets of marble, some weighing up to 3000kg. They have some beautiful colours in them and are so silky smooth. Each droplet has a particular shape, defined by its delicate surface tension. The sculpture was created by Alex Seton, it recognises and commemotates the suffering caused by war and military service. Their rounded liquid forms suggest blood, sweat or tears — for every drop ever shed in anguish.
Each stone is Pearl Marble from the Chillagoe region in Queensland. This stunning and elegant stone is highly prized for its misty white appearance. Its unique veining patterns and smooth texture make it a favoured choice for interior and exterior applications. The veining can range from soft grey to light beige, creating a fascinating contrast against the white background. The marble has a smooth and polished texture which brings out the natural luster of the stone.
Marble is a rock resulting from metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate most commonly limestone or dolomite. This Metamorphism causes variable recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. The resulting marble rock is typically composed of an interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals.
The White marble here is the result of metamorphism of a very pure limestone or dolomite protolith. A protolith (from the Greek ‘first stone’) is the original unmetamorphosed rock from which metamorphic rock is formed. You will see the droplets have swirls and veins of many coloured marble varieties, these are sometimes called striations, and are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides or chert which were originally present as grains or layers in the limestone. These impurities have been assembled and recrystallized by the intense pressure and heat of the metamorphism. (Metamorphism is the mineralogical and structural adjustment of solid rocks to physical and chemical conditions that have been imposed at depths below the near surface).
The hardness of marble is very high, because the internal structure of the rock is very uniform after long-term natural aging, and the internal stresses have disappeared. Therefore the marble will not be deformed due to temperature, and has strong wear resistance. This is one reason why you will find It is very popular as building material.
To claim this Earthcache please complete the following tasks and email your answers to the questions using the email function of the gc.com profile page;
1. Pick one droplet, estimate the size of it and describe the colours and shape of the swirls and veins as it goes around.
2. In your own words describe how you think the swirls and veins are formed.
3. How many droplets are there in total?
4. Take a photograph with yourself and/or your geocaching name and date of visit (written on a piece of paper or something else) with your GPS from GZ with the surrounding view in the background and how happy you are to find this Earthcache. This photograph MUST be attached to your log to prove you attended the location.
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