War Memorial #2108 ~ Berriedale and Braemore EarthCache

This EarthCache brings you to the War Memorial to the Men of Berriedale and Braemore.

As an EarthCache, you will not be looking for a physical container, but will work through an Earth Science lesson. In this instance, the lesson is about the rocks used in the memorial and the immediate environs.

Rocks can be categorised as Igneous, Sedimentary or Metamorphic.

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 (around 1-4mm). If it cooled slowly, the crystals will be large (5mm and larger).

Sedimentary rocks are formed by the deposition and subsequent cementation of that material within bodies of water. Sedimentation is the collective name for processes that cause mineral and/or organic particles to settle in place. The particles that form a sedimentary rock by accumulating are called sediment. Examples of this are sandstone and limestone.

Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks are subjected to higher temperatures, pressures or a combination of both. These lead to changes, or metamorphosis, in the structure of the rocks.

The memorial here is made of an igneous rock, with sedimentary rock used on the surrounding platform and walls.

The igneous rock is specifically granite from the Kemnay quarry in Aberdeenshire, and the sedimentary rock is sandstone from the Caithness Flagstone series.

Granites contain varying proportions of feldspar, quartz, micas and amphibole minerals. The size of the crystals of these minerals depends on the rate of cooling of the molten rock. Feldspar generally gives granite the colouring, quartz can be white, clear or pink and mica is what gives granite the shiny/sparkly aspect.

1. Looking at the crystals on the memorial, would you say that this granite cooled quickly or slowly

Now we will look at the wall between the memorial and the main road.

Look at the “spoiler” image in the gallery and find the stone blocked out in red.

You will see the layers that form the sedimentary rock. The layers in sedimentary rocks can be classed as “fine bedded” where the layers are only 1-3mm thick, “medium bedded” where the layers are up to a few centimetres thick and “coarse bedded” where the layers are thicker than that.

2. Would you say that the sandstone here is fine, medium or coarse bedded?

Now we will consider the weather and wear resistance of the two types of rock here. Look at the second course of stone from the base on the front face of the memorial and the sandstone slabs in front of the memorial.

3. Considering the condition of the engravings, which stone is more weather and wear resistant?
4. Given your answer to question 4, which stone do you think might need to be replaced sooner, for the engraving to continue to be legible?

Your answers to questions 1 to 4 should be sent to me by Message or Email through the Geocaching app or website.

Finally, to prove that you have visited the location,

5. Include a photo of yourself, or a personal item, in your log with the memorial in the background. Please do not give away any answers in your photo.

Thank you for visiting this War Memorial Series EarthCache.