This is an Earth Cache and has special requirements for logging it. You cannot log a Found It without responding to the logging requirements set out below.
Only one find claim per Message. Each Geocacher claiming a find must submit an individual response. One team can not lodge a response on behalf of a group of people, as my response/acceptance is only to the message sender.
The Lesson.
Geologists tell us that the Australian Continent was once part of a larger land mass known as Gondwana, but separated in the Permian period (299 to 251 million years ago), with the separation of the continental landmass from the African continent and Indian subcontinent. Australia then rifted from Antarctica in the Cretaceous - a period that began 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago. Here's a simple timeline to put that into perspective:
It was very different from today with volcanoes, shallow inland seas and great rift valleys. Around 95 million years ago, volcanic activity along the north-eastern edge lifted the continent to the east and the huge inland sea dried up. The sea was replaced by vast floodplains that provided an ideal habitat for sauropods and other dinosaurs.
On the eastern side of Australia, however, there remained several low-lying areas, often below the then sea level, known as geological basins. Rivers ran down into the basins from surrounding mountains. As such, they collected sediment. Sediment is made of small particles deposited in water or on land. After deposition, sediments may stay in their new place a long time and be covered by newer sediments. Pressure may slowly transform sediment into sedimentary rocks.
The area around the published coordinates is part of the larger Ipswich Basin - some 8000 km2 in overall size, according to Geoscience Australia. The basin-fill is dominated by sandstones, shales, conglomerates and coals deposited in alluvial (refers to soil or sediment that has been deposited by flowing water), fluvial (related to rivers and streams) and lacustrine (related to lakes) environments, with some interbedded volcanics (refer to layers of volcanic rock that are interspersed with other types of sedimentary rocks).
It forms a ridge, which is most likely the result of tectonic activity (movement and interaction of the Earth's tectonic plates), in the form of either Uplift: Geological forces can uplift sedimentary layers, exposing sandstone to erosion and creating ridges, or Folding and Faulting: Tectonic movements can also affect the structure of existing sandstone, leading to ridges and other formations.
The Observation.
Take a look at the area around your coordinates. Walk around both above and below the ridge line. Take it carefully - there is no real danger.
At first glance, these may look like granite boulders. But underneath the cover of moss and lichen, it is a different story. See if you can find a spot where a fallen branch may have chipped away a bit of the rock. You will see the characteristic orange-yellow-red sandstone. Quite colourful.
The Logging requirements.
There are TWO actions for you to take:
Complete the following sentences, and MESSAGE them to the CO using the link at the top of the page.
- The rock around here is called __________ (not granite)
- It was formed by the collection of river ________
- Pressure slowly transformed it into ____________ rock
- The geological basin formed in this area is called the _________ Basin.
- The rocks around here formed a _____ which is most likely the result of _______ (clue: one word)
In your LOG, post a photo of yourself (or an identifier) at GZ showing the ridge in the background.
Please log your Found It 😀 in the meantime, and just say that you have Messaged your answers to the CO. We do reply to all logs within a reasonable time, and if there is a problem with your answers, we will ask you for further clarification.
NO PHOTO or NO MESSAGE = DELETED LOG.