Parr Fold Park - Glacial Erratic
Welcome to Parr Fold Park. At the posted co-ordinates you will be able to see a glacial erratic as well as an information board. Logging requirements are at the bottom of the listing. Glacial erratics, often simply called erratics, or erratic boulders, are rocks that have been transported by ice and deposited elsewhere. The type of rock that the glacial erratic is made from is different to the type of rock of the bedrock where the erratic is deposited. The process of glaciation has made this possible.
Glaciation refers to the process where glaciers and ice sheets form, grow, and retreat across a landscape, shaping the Earth's surface. It involves the accumulation, movement, and melting of ice, which has a significant impact on the environment, including carving new scenery and changing sea levels. Glacial periods, also known as ice ages, are characterized by colder temperatures and the expansion of glaciers, while interglacial periods are warmer times between glacial periods. During the last period of glaciations from about 25,000 years until the ice had melted by about 18,000 years ago, ice travelled from south west Scotland via the Irish Sea and then uphill into the Mersey basin. The ice achieved depths of 1km or more and was easily able to move boulders weighing 1 tonne or more. Please see below a diagram of the process of formation of Glacial Erratics.
A: Glacial erosion entrains a boulder of the bedrock.
B: Continued glacier flow transports the boulder.
C: As the glacier retreats, the boulder is deposited on a different type of bedrock, forming a glacial erratic.
This boulder was discovered in September 1914 when Park Mill, Walkden, one of the most successful cotton mills in Lancashire, was being extended to double its size. It was during the excavation for the foundations of this extension that this glacial erratic was discovered. It was decided that they should move the boulder down to Parr Fold Park and it was placed near to Park Road.
340 million years ago, much of the limestone we see today, particularly in areas like the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales, was being formed. This limestone was deposited in warm, shallow seas teeming with marine life, according to Pooles Cavern. The shells and skeletal remains of these creatures, along with other calcium carbonate-rich sediments, accumulated over time to create thick layers of limestone. This was during the Carboniferous Period.
TO CLAIM THIS CACHE AS A FIND:
1: Look at the boulder's shape & texture, what evidence can you see that shows this rock has been affected by Glaciation?
2: Look closely on the left side of the boulder. You will see remains of something that used to be attached. What do you think this was?
3: Where has this particular boulder originated from?
4: Take a photo of yourself or something resembling you next to the boulder and post it with your log.
Feel free to send your answers at the same time as logging your find.
Please do not post spoilers or the answers in your logs.
Anyone that doesn’t complete the four requirements above will have their find deleted.
Thank you for visiting my EarthCache!
Congratulations to Fruity Tooties for the FTF!
This Cache is #3 of the Parr Fold Park Variety Series!
(Traditional, Multi-Cache, EarthCache & Adventure Lab + Bonus)
