Myth Busting 2: Big vs Little Lyons Falls EarthCache

Nestled within the scenic Mohican State Park in Ohio, Big Lyons Falls and Little Lyons Falls are two captivating natural features that offer visitors a glimpse into the region's geological history and natural beauty.

Big Lyons Falls is the more prominent of the two, boasting an impressive 80-foot drop over a sandstone cliff into a deep recess cave. This waterfall is particularly striking after periods of heavy rainfall, when water cascades dramatically over the edge. The surrounding Black Hand Sandstone formations, dating back approximately 350 million years to the Mississippian Period, showcase the enduring power of natural erosion processes. Visitors can explore behind the falls, offering a unique perspective of this geological wonder.

In contrast, Little Lyons Falls features a 25-foot drop into a narrow gorge. While smaller in scale, this waterfall offers its own charm, especially during wetter seasons when the flow is more pronounced. The trail leading to Little Lyons Falls provides hikers with an intimate experience of the park's lush forests and rugged terrain. The path includes a series of stairs and footbridges, enhancing accessibility while preserving the natural environment.

Both waterfalls are accessible via the Lyons Falls Trail, a loop that begins near the picturesque Mohican Covered Bridge. This trail not only connects visitors to both falls but also offers scenic views of the Clear Fork Gorge and the surrounding woodlands. Hiking this trail provides an opportunity to observe the dynamic interplay between water and rock that has shaped the landscape over millennia.

Exploring Big and Little Lyons Falls offers a comparative experience of two distinct waterfall formations within close proximity. This juxtaposition allows for a deeper appreciation of the geological processes at work and the diverse natural beauty of Mohican State Park.

For this earthcache, we will be analyzing two common myths about waterfalls. In order to answer the questions, you will need to compare and contrast Little Lyons Falls (posted coordinates) as well as Big Lyons Fall (waypoint). This earthcache is a D5 for the recommended amount of angles and pictures you must take to being able to analyze each falls. 

Myth 1: Bigger Waterfalls Always Erode Faster

Lesson: Does Size Determine Erosion Speed?

It might seem logical that a larger waterfall, like Big Lyons Falls, would erode faster than a smaller one, like Little Lyons Falls. After all, it has a taller drop and a larger flow of water at certain times of the year. However, waterfall erosion is controlled by more than just size. Factors such as rock composition, water volume consistency, freeze-thaw weathering, and structural weaknesses in the sandstone all contribute to how quickly a waterfall erodes.

Erosion at waterfalls happens in several ways

1. Plunge Pool Undercutting: Water scours the base of the waterfall, deepening the recess cave.
2. Differential Erosion: Softer rock layers erode faster than harder layers, influencing waterfall shape.
3. Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Water seeps into cracks, freezes, expands, and breaks apart the rock.
4. Rock Falls & Slumping: Large chunks of rock collapse due to gravity, changing the waterfal's profile.

Even though Big Lyons Falls is taller, that does not automatically mean it is eroding at a faster rate than Little Lyons Falls. Some smaller waterfalls may actually erode faster if their rock layers are more fractured or if they experience more intense seasonal water flow changes.

How to Identify Which Waterfall Has Eroded Faster

1. Compare the Depth of the Recess Caves

• If one waterfall has a noticeably deeper recess cave behind it, that suggests it has experienced more undercutting erosion over time.
• If Big Lyons Falls has a deeper recess cave, this might suggest faster erosion, but if Little Lyons Falls is catching up despite being smaller, it could mean it is eroding more quickly relative to its size.

2. Look at the Rock Face for Fresh Breaks or Overhangs

• Recent rockfalls at the base of the waterfall suggest active erosion.
• Jagged edges or freshly exposed rock indicate pieces recently broke off.
• A smooth, uniform overhang suggests a slower, steadier erosion process.

3. Examine the Plunge Pool

• If one waterfall has a deeper or more eroded plunge pool, it may be experiencing more powerful erosion at its base.
• Large boulders in the plunge pool might have recently fallen, showing evidence of rock slumping.

4. Observe the Water Flow & Staining on the Rock

• Dark streaks or mineral stains show where water consistently flows over time.
• A waterfall with wider, multiple streams during high flow might be eroding at different points along its ledge.
• A waterfall that is dry or barely flowing for most of the year may be eroding more infrequently due to seasonal surges.

5. Check for Sediment & Eroded Material Downstream

• If one waterfall has deposited a larger collection of sand and broken rock downstream, it suggests higher erosion rates.

Myth Busting Hypothesis #1

As this is a team effort, input YES into the checker if you think Big Lyons Falls is eroding faster, and NO if you think Little Lyons Falls is eroding faster.

You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.

Myth 2: Smaller Waterfalls are Younger than Big Waterfalls

Lesson: Does Size Mean Younger?

When comparing two waterfalls like Big Lyons Falls and Little Lyons Falls, it's easy to assume that the smaller waterfall must have formed more recently. The thought process might go something like this: A smaller waterfall couldn't have been eroding for as long as a larger one, right? However, the size of a waterfall doesn't necessarily indicate its age. In fact, a smaller waterfall could be much older than a larger one, and vice versa, depending on various factors like rock composition, water flow, and erosion rate.

A waterfall's age is not determined just by how large it is but rather by how long it has been active in shaping the landscape. Factors that influence the age of a waterfall include:

1. Erosion rate: How quickly water cuts through the rock.
2. Geological stability: If the surrounding area is more prone to rockfalls, it might make the waterfall appear younger due to constant reshaping.
3. Rock composition: Softer, more easily eroded rock types might cause a waterfall to erode faster, giving the appearance of a younger waterfall.
4. Water availability: Waterfalls can form at different rates depending on the consistency of flow. A waterfall with sporadic water flow might erode slower than one with constant or high volume.

A waterfall might appear smaller because it has eroded at a slower rate or has been more stable over time. Conversely, the larger waterfall might have more frequent or intense erosion events, causing it to be bigger and more active, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's younger.

How to Identify the Age of a Waterfall

Visitors can analyze several geological features to determine which waterfall might be older or younger, beyond just size:

1. Look for Old Erosion Features

• Old plunge pools: A waterfall that has been in place for a longer time might have a deeper plunge pool formed by years of erosion at the waterfal's base.
• Rock shelf features: Large, rounded ledges or receding waterfall lines (where the waterfall has gradually moved back upstream) might suggest a waterfall that has been eroding in the same location for a long period, indicating age.
• Less-active erosion at the base: If you see areas where erosion seems to have slowed down, this could indicate the waterfall has been in its current location for a while.

2. Examine the Rock Layers for Evidence of Erosion

• Look for weathering patterns on the rock. Waterfalls that have been active for centuries or millennia might show signs of differential erosion”where harder rock layers have been eroded around softer layers, creating unique shapes.
• A waterfall that has more developed recess caves or smoother rock surfaces might be older than one with jagged, freshly broken rock faces.

3. Compare the Surrounding Landscape

• Rockfalls and debris around the base of the waterfall suggest recent activity and possibly more active erosion. Older waterfalls might have less visible debris if they've had time to stabilize over the years.
• Sediment layers downriver from the waterfall can indicate the erosion intensity and history of the waterfall. An older waterfall might have a more developed sediment fan or area of erosion further downstream.

4. Look for Signs of Previous Waterfalls

• Sometimes, older waterfalls leave behind remnants of past plunge pools or rock ledges that indicate where the waterfall has eroded over time. A waterfall that has shifted position or retreated upstream could suggest that it's been evolving for a long period, as waterfalls tend to erode and move upstream over time.

5. Study the Waterfall's Composition

• Harder rocks like Black Hand Sandstone may slow down erosion, making waterfalls formed in these materials appear older. If you see well-worn surfaces that show clear evidence of erosion, it might indicate more time has passed, while a more jagged or rough surface might indicate a younger waterfall that has not eroded as much.

Myth Busting Hypothesis

As this is a team effort, input YES into the checker if you think Big Lyons Falls is older, and NO if you think Little Lyons Falls is older.

You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.