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 bedding planes and joints. All observations can be made from the cemetery roadway near the specimen you will be studying. Parking is available in the immediate vicinity of the location, but please do not block traffic in the cemetery.
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 will be standing in front of a large, unique boulder. There are several cracks visible in the boulder. Take a look at the cracks, and answer the questions below:
Questions to Answer
1. Locate the cracks in this rock (hint, there are two major cracks here, and several smaller ones) - are cracks along the bedding planes, are they joints, both or neither?
2. What factors can you see that are continuting to the cracks in this rock, and do you think they will continue to expand?
3. Do you think the cracks in this rock are systematic or non-systematic, based on the description below?
4. Mandatory: Include a photograph of yourself, your GPS, a signature item, thumbs up, etc at the monument. You do not need to show your face in the photo, but your photo must be unique to you. If you are caching with a group you can use the same photo, but each log must upload a photo.
Geology Lesson
What is a bedding plane?
A bedding plane is a surface that separates successive layers (beds or strata) in sedimentary rocks, marking a change in depositional conditions or sediment characteristics. Bedding planes are the boundaries between different layers of sedimentary rock, indicating a pause or change in the depositional process.
Bedding planes help geologists understand the history of sediment deposition, the timing of events, and the sequence of rock layers.
Bedding plane markings: The upper surfaces of beds often display primary sedimentary features that are classified as bedding-plane structures, such as ripple marks, mud cracks, and tracks and trails of organisms.
Formation: They form when there's a change in sediment type, texture, or depositional environment, such as a shift in the rate of sediment accumulation or a change in the type of sediment being deposited.
What is a Joint?
In geology, a joint is a fracture or crack in rock where there's been no significant movement or displacement along the fracture surfaces, often forming in sets or systems. Joints are natural fractures in rocks where there's minimal or no movement (displacement) along the fracture plane.
Formation: They form due to various stresses acting on the rock, such as tectonic forces, cooling, and erosion.
Orientation: Joints can extend in various directions, often vertically, and can have smooth or scarred surfaces. Joints frequently occur as sets or systems, with joints within a set being parallel to each other.
Importance: Joints influence the permeability, strength, and weathering of rocks, and are important in geological processes like fluid flow, weathering, and slope stability.
Weathering: Joints become more prominent during weathering, especially in soluble rocks like limestone, where water percolating through joints can lead to cave and underground river formation.
There are many types of Joints that you may see:
Systematic Joints: These are sets of parallel or near-parallel joints that are regularly spaced, often related to tectonic stresses.
Non-systematic Joints: These are short, curved, and irregularly spaced, often terminating against systematic joints.
