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. The goal of this Earthcache is to educate visitors about differences between Speleothem and Calthemite, and assist in the identification of samples located at GZ.
The samples are located inside of the Stone Tower at Allegany State Park. You will need to go inside of the tower to make your observations for this earthcache. The park does have an entrance fee from Memorial Day weekend until the end of October, and access may be seasonal.
This Earthcache is developed with permission of the Office of Parks - Recreation and Historic Preservation at Allegany State Park and has been given permit number AL-25-1 on April 24, 2025.
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.
Observational Task
At GZ, you find a stone observation tower with a small parking area. Look inside the tower, and you will find white growths on the inside of the structure - some are on the wall, ceiling and even the floor! You can find more information about these growths in the description below. Theese growths are what you will need to observe in order to answer the questions.
Questions to Answer
1. Read the below description and state, in your own words, the major difference between speleothem and calthemites. Which would you classify these growths as, and why (the image on the cache page might help with this!)?
2. Looking inside the tower, you will see several sections of growth. Choose one and describe it (size, appearance, color, texture, etc)
3. Based on your observations, do you think these growths are continuing to grow, or are they getting smaller? How big do you think the growth you used in question 2 will be in 25 years?
4. Mandatory: Include a photograph of yourself, your GPS, a signature item, thumbs up, etc at the tower. It can be inside, at the top, on the stairs, or anywhere else you think might make a great photo op. You do not need to show your face in the photo, but your photo must be unique to you.
Please send me the answers using the Geocaching Message Center or send me an email with your answers to the above questions, then go ahead and log this earthcache. You do not need to wait for my response to log. I will contact you if there are any issues with your answers. Feel free to post additional pictures as well, but please do not post your answers with your log.
Strange, Beautiful Structures
Speleothems are mineral formations in limestone caves, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones. Many unique structures – including stalagmites and stalactites – form inside both man-made and naturally occuring caves as water seeps through the limestone to create carbonic acid, which drips through cave roofs and onto their floors. Structures inside a cave may require millions of years to develop.
Some of the geological structures that may develop inside a cave include:
Speleothem
“Speleothem” is a general geological term for a deposit of calcium carbonate in a cave, including formations such as stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones.
Flowstone
Flowstones are speleothems (deposits of calcium carbonate) on the walls or floor of a cave formed from a gradual flow of water over a relatively broad area.
Stalactite
The term stalactite comes from the Greek work stalaktos, which means “dripping”, because these other-worldly formations “drip” from the roofs of limestone caves. Essentially, water reacts with carbon-dioxide to form carbonic acid. It then seeps slowly through the roof of the cave, depositing calcium carbonate, which hardens and builds up over time to form a stalactite.
Stalagmite
Stalagmites are corresponding formations on the floor of caves to stalactites. Stalagmites rise from the floor in a build-up of calcium carbonate over time, from mineral-bearing water dropped from the roof of the cave. The term stalagmite comes from the Greek word, stalagma, to “drop”.
Column
Sometimes, stalactites and stalagmites meet, forming a pillar or column of rock-hard calcium carbonate.
Helictite
A formation of calcium carbonate in a cave that grows in a twisted, curled fashion, like a helix (hence the name), seemingly defying the laws of gravity.
What is a Calthemite?
Calthemite is a secondary deposit, derived from concrete, lime, mortar or other calcareous material outside the cave environment. Calthemites grow on or under, man-made structures and mimic the shapes and forms of cave speleothems, such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone etc.
Calthemite stalactites can form on concrete structures and "artificial caves" lined with concrete (e.g. mines and tunnels) significantly faster than those in limestone, marble or dolomite caves. This is because the majority of calthemites are created by chemical reactions which are different to normal "speleothem" chemistry.
Calthemites are usually the result of hyperalkaline solution seeping through a calcium-rich man-made structure until it comes into contact with the atmosphere on the underside of the structure, where carbon dioxide from the surrounding air facilitates the reactions to deposit calcium carbonate as a secondary deposit.
Calthemites are generally composed of calcium carbonate which is predominantly coloured white, but may be coloured red, orange or yellow due to iron oxide seeping rust along with the calcium-rich deposits. Copper oxide from copper pipes may cause calthemites to be coloured green or blue. Calthemites may also contain minerals such as gypsum.
Additional Information about the Tower
The construction of Stone Tower began in October of 1933 and was completed in the spring of 1934. The stone used to build the tower was all collected and cut in Allegany State Park, and is primarily made of limestone. The octagonal shaped tower stands at an elevation of 2,250 feet and overlooks Salamanca to the North and Red House Lake to the South (Pictured below). A capital "N" was carved in the center of the deck with an arrow through it to indicate which way is North.
This EarthCache has been prepared by a proud:
