Rockhaven Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone EarthCache
Hidden : 2/9/2025
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


Questions and tasks for this EarthCache:

To log this EarthCache, please answer the following questions related to the Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone. These tasks require a visit to the site and observations of the surrounding geological features.

1.  What geological feature is the Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone?  Describe the rock's composition and appearance.

2.  Explain how glaciers can transport rocks over long distances. Why is this boulder out of place in its current location?

3.  What evidence can you see on the Big Rock that suggests it was used by bison?  Examine the surface of the rock closely. Are there any smooth, polished areas where bison might have rubbed against it?

4.  What environmental factors might influence the shape and condition of the boulder today?  Consider weathering, erosion, and human interaction. How might these factors change the appearance of the rock over time?

5.  Log Requirements for the earth cache.   Required Photo: Please upload a photo of yourself or your GPSr with the Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone as part of your log. This is your log signature!  (face not required)

Completion of Questions: Please answer the geological questions based on your observations at the site.EarthCache: The Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone  DO NOT POST ANSWERS IN YOUR LOG.   Please don’t provide the answers when logging the cache online except for the photo, for the rest of the queries use the “Send answers” feature OR geocache mail the cache owner including the earth cache GC number,  title and the answers.  smiley  Please answer to the best of your ability. As long as you give it your best effort, we'll be happy to accept your responses.  You will probably the answers you are looking for in this description page!

 

Location: RM of Buffalo, Saskatchewan
Introduction to The Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone

 

Located approximately 45 kilometers southwest of the Town of Battleford, Saskatchewan, the Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone is a prominent landmark with both geological and historical significance. Standing as a testament to the forces of the last Ice Age, this colossal boulder—an impressive glacial erratic—was carried to its current location by glaciers around 12,000 to 14,000 years ago. Weighing approximately 16,000 tons, the rock stands out amidst the vast expanse of the Canadian Prairies.

This site not only holds geological importance but also has deep cultural value. Early Indigenous peoples and later settlers, including the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP), used this rock as a landmark. For bison that roamed the plains, it was an essential rubbing stone, smoothing the edges of the erratic over generations. Today, it is a Municipal Heritage Property and serves as a reminder of both natural history and human legacy.

Geological Significance: Glacial Erratics
Glacial erratics are large boulders that have been transported from their original location by glacial ice and deposited far from their source. When the glaciers retreated, they left behind these rocks in locations where they wouldn't normally be found.  These boulders are often composed of a rock type that differs from the native bedrock of the area, offering valuable clues about the direction and movement of glaciers during the last Ice Age.

The Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone is a classic example of a granitic gneiss erratic. It was likely carried southward from the Precambrian Shield by glaciers during the last glacial period. The movement of these glaciers—huge masses of ice weighing millions of tons—grinds, scours, and erodes rock, plucking large pieces of bedrock along the way. These erratics are then deposited when the ice melts.

Geological Introduction to Rock Types

Rocks fall into three main groups: Igneous, Sedimentary, and Metamorphic. Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation and compaction of sediments, often laid down by water, wind, or ice. These rocks can contain fossils and are typically layered. Igneous rocks, from the Latin word for fire, are born from the cooling and solidification of hot, molten rock, either from deep within the Earth or after volcanic eruptions. These rocks are often crystalline and are divided into two types: intrusive (formed inside the Earth) and extrusive (formed from lava that cools on the Earth's surface). Finally, Metamorphic rocks are formed when existing rocks—whether igneous, sedimentary, or even other metamorphic rocks—are subjected to extreme heat, pressure, and sometimes chemically active fluids, causing them to undergo a transformation into a new rock type.

Granitic Gneiss: A Metamorphic Transformation

Granitic gneiss is a type of metamorphic rock that forms when granite, an igneous rock, undergoes significant heat and pressure deep within the Earth. Granite, which forms from the slow cooling of magma underground, is composed mainly of minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica. Over time, when granite is subjected to intense pressure and temperature, it transforms into gneiss. The primary difference between granite and gneiss lies in the structure; while granite is relatively uniform and coarse-grained, gneiss develops distinctive banding due to the alignment of mineral grains under pressure. The result is a foliated rock with alternating light and dark layers, often showing visible crystals of feldspar and mica. The foliation in gneiss makes it a coarser rock compared to granite, and it is often used for building materials and decorative stone. Gneiss can form from a variety of parent rocks, but when it originates from granite, it maintains the same mineral composition while gaining a new texture and structure due to the metamorphic process.

How Did Big Rock Get Here?
The Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone was transported by the Laurentide Ice Sheet, which covered much of Canada during the last glacial maximum, approximately 18,000 years ago. As the glacier advanced, it picked up pieces of rock from northern bedrock formations, eventually depositing them in areas where they are now isolated. Erratics like the Big Rock were moved hundreds of kilometers from their source, and when the glaciers retreated, the rocks were left behind.

This boulder likely originated in the Precambrian Shield region, an area known for its older, harder rocks, primarily granite and gneiss. The glacier carried it to the prairies, where it now rests, a solitary feature in the vast, flat landscape.

The Role of Glacial Erratics in the Landscape
Erratics are crucial to understanding the movements of ancient glaciers. By studying the composition of the erratic and the surrounding rocks, geologists can determine the source of the erratic and trace the path of the glacier. This, in turn, helps scientists reconstruct past environments and climatic conditions during the Ice Age. 

Key Geological Processes:
Plucking: The process by which glaciers break chunks of rock from the underlying bedrock as they advance, carrying the pieces with them.
Abrasion: As the glacier moves, smaller rocks and debris in the ice scrape and polish the bedrock beneath, leaving distinct striations (scratch marks).
Glacial Deposition: When the glacier retreats, it leaves behind these "erratics" as part of its debris field, often far from their original location.

Historical and Cultural Value
Aside from its geological importance, the Big Rock has historical significance. Early Indigenous peoples of the plains used the rock as a rubbing stone, a practice that smoothed the rock over centuries. The large, polished patches on the rock show signs of extensive use by bison, who would rub against the rock to shed their winter coats and relieve itchiness. Early settlers and the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) used the rock as a landmark along the Sounding Lake Trail, which connected the Battleford and Sounding Lake posts.

The Big Rock became an integral part of the community's history, symbolizing both natural beauty and human adaptation to the land. It continues to serve as a place of commemoration for the region's homesteaders and Indigenous history.

Conclusion
The Big Rock Buffalo Rubbing Stone is a fascinating geological and historical landmark. Standing as a monument to the forces of the last Ice Age and the indigenous peoples and settlers who used it, this site is a perfect example of how the Earth’s natural processes shape the landscape while leaving lasting imprints of cultural significance. Enjoy your visit and take a moment to appreciate the unique intersection of geology, history, and heritage that this site represents.

image of granite CC courtesy of Friman

Above: An image of granite CC courtesy of Friman

Above: A close up or enlarged image of granite.

Above: An image of Granitic Gneiss courtesy of James St. John, showing the layering from the pressure exerted on the granite.

Directions to Big Rock-Swarthmore Church Site Historical Site: Take Hwy 29 south from Battleford for about 20 km. Turn west on Grid 787 (Cloan Rd) and travel 17 km. Look for the signs guiding you. The Swarthmore Church Site is 5.5 km to the west on Swarthmore Rd, then 3.2 km south, and 1 km west.

Congratulations Arkanada110 on being the First to Find! 🎉👏

And an extra kudos for successfully finding the EarthCache, especially with that tricky GPS. Not sure what happened there, but rest assured, a correction is underway to make things smoother for future adventurers, and an excellent idea to add a note in the log! Thanks for your patience and perseverance, and happy geocaching! Hope your journey was amazing!🌍💎

BIBLIOGRAPHY: (or for more information if you love to delve into glacial erratics)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gnxr n Cnhfr: Bapr lbh svaq gur ebpx, gnxr gvzr gb nccerpvngr gur fnperq, phygheny naq trbybtvpny fvtavsvpnapr bs guvf napvrag fvgr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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