Welcome to my Earthcache! An Earthcache is a special type of geocache where there is no container to find - instead you are looking for a unique geological feature of the area and need to answer questions, as well as posting a picture, in order to claim the find.
This bronze and stainless steel statue entitled Rafaga Unleashed is a stainless steel metal sculpture fabricated by Kubes Steel and designed by Dam De Nogales. The piece is one of Hamilton’s examples of public art and is on permanent display at Pier 8 in Hamilton, Ontario.
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
As with all of my ECs, I am not looking for PhD thesis level responses, but I am hoping that you take some time to enjoy the area and learn something new. Please include a list of all cachers with your answer, if answering for more than one caching name. There is no need to send individual answers.
To claim a 'find' for this Earthcache you must answer the following questions and send your answers in a message or email to the owner using the link at the top of the page. You can log your find with a photo at GZ. Send your answers to the tasks. I will be in contact if there is a problem, no need to wait for a response as long as the required photo is included in your log.
1. Examine the bronze figures of the statue, and describe one significant form of mechanical weathering you see here.
2. Examine the bronze figures, and describe one significant form of chemical weathering you see here.
3. Examine the stainless steel components of the statue. Which is showing more signs of weathering, and why do you think that is?
4. Is there evidence of people touching the bronze scuptures? Does that leave a shiny polished area different from the darker bronze patina/tarnish? Describe what you observe.
5. Based on your answers above, do you think the weathering process will continue on the sculpture, and which part of the scuplture will sustain the test of time, given the windy and wet conditions of the location? Why?
6. MANDATORY - Post a photo of yourself, your signature item, your GPS, at or near the posted coordinates. Bonus points if you show the lake in the background. You do not need to show your face if you are shy. You may include this photo in your log, or send it with your answers but it must be provided as proof that you visited the area.
EARTHCACHE INFORMATION
Bronze is an alloy of copper which can vary widely in its composition. It is often used where a material harder than copper is required, where strength and corrosion resistance is required and for ornamental purposes. The variations in bronze (both in proportion and elemental composition) can significantly affect its weathering characteristics. There are three major classes or types of "bronzes" used in sculpture and construction. They are:
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Statuary Bronze - approximately 97% copper (Cu), 2% tin (Sn) and 1% zinc (Zn); this composition is the closest to "true" bronze.
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Architectural Bronze - actually more of a "leaded brass", this composition is commonly composed of approximately 57% copper (Cu), 40% zinc (Zn) and 3% lead (Pb).
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Commercial Bronze - composed of approximately 90% copper (Cu) and 10% zinc (Zn).
In its "raw" state, bronze is a semi-pink or salmon-colored metal; however it is rarely seen in its pure state. Bronze usually exhibits some patination or corrosion so that its color normally ranges from lime green to dark brown. Exposed bronze undergoes continuous change and progresses through several predictable "stages" of oxidation and corrosion. The stages of bronze corrosion vary in duration and time of onset, based on many factors, including:
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Composition of the bronze
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Patination or other protective treatments applied at the foundry
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Weather
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Location and exposure to rain, sun, and other climatic conditions
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Atmospheric pollutants
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Scheduled maintenance/cleaning
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Adjacent materials including residual core materials
CHEMICAL WEATHERING OF METALS
Metals are predominantly changed by chemical weathering. This changes the composition of the metal.
CORROSION - The gradual destruction by chemical and/or electrochemical reaction with the environment. "Metals corrode because we use them in environments where they are chemically unstable. Only copper and the precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.) are found in nature in their metallic state. All other metals, to include iron-the metal most commonly used-are processed from minerals or ores into metals which are inherently unstable in their environments." https://corrosion.ksc.nasa.gov/corr_metal.htm
HYDROLYSIS - The reaction of water in the form of a weak acid to dissolve metals.
OXIDATION - The reaction of oxygen with metals to form oxides.
PATINA - Tarnish on copper-based metals giving them a greenish hue.
RUST - Oxidation of iron that turns it into iron oxide giving it an orange-red hue.
TARNISH - Discoloration of a metal when only the outermost layer undergoes a chemical reaction. This layer of tarnish seals and protects the underlying layers from reacting.
MECHANICAL WEATHERING OF METALS
Metals may also be changed by mechanical weathering. This alters the appearance, but does not change the composition.
FROST WEDGING - Cracks due to repeated cycles of freeze-thaw.
PITTING - Small depressions due to wind abrasion.
Details About this Earthcache
Parking is available in the parking lot near GZ - please obey all parking permit signage and do not park in no parking areas near GZ. This area is available from 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. However, due to the visual nature of earthcaches, I would ask that you please limit your visit to daylight hours.
This cache was placed by a PROUD Platinum Earthcache Master.