This earthcache is located with in Paxton Ramsey Park. Please DO NOT access from Loveland-Miamiville road, it will be a lot harder, and lot less safe.
Logging Requirements
Once you log this cache, please send me the answers to the following questions in a reasonable time period.
1. Classify these ripple marks as Straight, Sinuous, Catenary, or Linguoid / Lunate.
2. Measure the crest height of one of the ripple mark.
3. Do the crest marks follow the direction of the creek? Why or why not do you think this is?
Information about Ripple Marks
Located along the creek bed, you will find several ripple marks embedded along the way (see hint for guidance on where they are). First we will talk about Question 1. What exactly is a ripple mark? According to the Oxford dictionary, it is a system of subparallel wavy ridges and furrows left on sand or mud by the action of water or wind, and sometimes fossilized. Ripple marks are caused by water flowing over loose sediment which creates bed forms by moving sediment with the flow.
There are several different types of ripple marks as well. According to wikipedia, these are the following types and what exactly they are:
Next, to help answer Question 2, we will talk about the composition of a ripple mark. A ripple mark's peak is known as the crest, and its low point is known as a trough. To find the crest height you will need to measure the difference between the crest and trough. The infographic below will give you a visual representation.
Finally, to help answer Question 3, we will talk about the direction of ripple marks and what that typically indicates. Similar to the type of ripple mark, the direction of the ripple mark is because the flow of water down the stream was following that path.
Local Geography: At this site there are 3 distinct visible layers. Each layer is made of predominately limestone. The lower creekbed has several patches of clay and mud that have layered the creek. This spot is so interesting because the ripple marks layer, has been chipped and shapped in a U shape to show clear signs of different types of erosions. This eartthcache is only looking at the ripple marks, but you can feel free to message me with what you found cool about anything else apart of the creek bed!
Best of Luck and Happy Caching!