This is an Earthcache. There is no physical container at the posted coordinates, but rather a geological lesson for you to explore. Please review the information on the cache page, then make your way to Ground Zero to make your observations and answer the three questions below. Email your answers to the cache owner by clicking the "message this owner" button above, and once complete, you can log this cache.
Thanks and happy caching!
QUESTIONS
1. Describe any features of the rock including size, shape, type, colors, petroglyphs, weathering, etc.
2. Take an elevation reading at the observation platform and hypothesize about why the rock is so much higher than the surrounding area.
3. Locate the informational plaque "Dorsey's Knob: A View Across Space and Time". Looking out into the horizon, describe how the geological changes listed on the sign have impacted the rock at Dorsey's Knob.
(Optional) Locate the benchmark on the top of Sky Rock and post a picture of you lying next to it.
Welcome to Dorsey's Knob Park located in Morgantown, West Virginia. This earthcache will bring you to a location commonly referred to by locals as Sky Rock due to it's unique geological positioning above the rest of the town. In fact, while completing this earthcache, you'll be standing at the highest point in Morgantown. As such, you can expect a short, but steep, uphill ascent to ground zero, but the views of the Monongahela River and the surrounding Appalachian Mountains are well worth the sweat. If you are visiting in winter, the gate to the main parking area is closed, and you'll need to park near the lodge, which will add about a half mile to your walk (roundtrip). I hope you enjoy checking out this unique feature in the heart of Almost Heaven.
Rock Description
When describing a rock's features in a geological context, several characteristics should be noted to capture its overall appearance and origin. Start by identifying the rock's size, which ranges from small pebbles to large boulders, using standard geological measurement scales. Shape is another critical feature, which can vary from angular to rounded depending on the rock's history and transport processes. The type of rock (igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic) is essential to mention, as this indicates the rock's formation environment and history. Color can provide clues about its mineral composition and weathering state; for instance, dark rocks often contain mafic minerals like pyroxene or olivine, while light-colored rocks may have more felsic minerals like quartz and feldspar.
Additionally, look for surface features such as petroglyphs or any signs of human alteration that might provide cultural or historical context. Assess the degree of weathering, which is indicative of the rock's exposure to elements like wind, water, or temperature changes. For instance, a rock with smooth, rounded edges might suggest extensive weathering or transport by water, while sharp, angular edges may indicate minimal weathering or recent breakage. Observing all these features collectively allows for a comprehensive understanding of the rock's history, environment of formation, and the geological processes that have influenced its current state.
Elevation Makes a Difference!
Elevation plays a significant role in influencing rock composition and weathering processes. At higher elevations, rocks are often subjected to colder temperatures, increased wind exposure, and more intense freeze-thaw cycles. These conditions can accelerate physical weathering, particularly through frost wedging, where water infiltrates cracks in the rock, freezes, and expands, causing the rock to break apart. Additionally, chemical weathering can be influenced by elevation due to the presence of orographic precipitation, which is the increase in rainfall on the windward side of mountains. This moisture, combined with organic acids from surrounding vegetation, can lead to the dissolution of certain minerals like feldspar or calcite, altering the rock’s mineralogical composition over time.
Weathering processes can also erode surrounding material, gradually exposing more resistant rocks at higher elevations, such as the summit of a hill. As less resistant minerals are broken down and carried away by wind, water, or gravity-driven mass wasting, the remaining rock becomes more prominent. This selective erosion can create prominent features such as tors or inselbergs, where harder, less weathered rock is left standing. Consequently, the exposed rock at the top of a hill often consists of more resistant materials like quartz or igneous intrusions, which can endure prolonged exposure to weathering processes due to their stable mineral structures.
