This is an Earthcache – as such, there is no physical cache. Instead after examining the Carnelian granite that makes up the USS San Diego Memorial, you will answer 3 questions, message me the answers, and post a photo.

Once upon a time, in the late 1990's, I was ships company across the bay on a large flat top. I have to say how impressive it is to see all of the changes that San Diego has made to this waterfront since then. It's like geocaching heaven, especially since I love geology, geocaching, and Naval History.

Ha hah! Just a little geology humor to help ease you into the earthcache lesson. Which brings us too...

Welcome to the USS San Diego Memorial!

Installed in 2004, this memorial honors the distinguished service of the cruiser USS San Diego and her crew during the second World War. The San Diego was one of the most decorated US ships of World War II having been awarded 18 battle stars. It was the first major Allied warship to enter Tokyo Bay after the surrender of Japan.

This monument's 28-foot walls were designed to resemble a ship's bow, and they are composed of polished carnelian granite and composite terra cotta. On the ground is a map of the Pacific Theatre where the USS San Diego’s travels are marked with inlaid brass strips, and the inlaid stars mark the places of battles and engagements. Post-war, the San Diego participated in Operation Magic Carpet, returning US Servicemen back to the States.

Carnelian Granite

Carnelian granite originates in Milbank, South Dakota. There, a large quarry sits in a large outcropping of granite that extends 1000 feet long, 650 ft across, and is estimated to run 12 miles deep.

In 1997 this quarry yielded 463,000 tons of building stone a year. The stone taken from this quarry is around 2 billion years old, dating back from the pre-cambrian era when it formed deep within the earths crust from slow cooling magma.

Granite Texture

If you see large crystals in the granite, that is evidence that magma cooled slowly. When a geologist talks about the texture of a rock, they are referring to the details of its visible character, including the size and quality and interrelations of its grains and the fabric they form. There are three common types granite textures:

Granite Is Made Up of Minerals

Granite rock primarily made of the minerals quartz, feldspar (both alkali feldspar and plagioclase feldspar), and mica (biotite and muscovite). It also contains smaller amounts of amphibole minerals, which include hornblende, contributing to its diverse colors and textures.

Granite is composed predominantly of the minerals feldspar, quartz, and biotite. Different minerals gives granite it's different colors, and granites come in a wide variety of colors--greens, blues, reds, browns, yellows, black, white, gray, and more. The word “Carnelian” is a derivative of the Latin word for “Flesh,” referring to the pink color of this granite. That color comes from Orthoclase, which is a feldspar mineral, that is one of the most abundant rock-forming minerals of the continental crust.

Now you know a little something about both the USS San Diego and Carnelian Granite, AND...

LOGGING REQUIREMENTS:

To log this Earthcache: Read the geology lesson above, observe the granite here at the posted coords, answer all three questions below, and take a photo at the site. Easy, peasy. Answers can be sent via e-mail or messenger contacts on my Geocaching profile, just do it within a reasonable time. Group answers are fine. I just aske that whom ever sends those answers should pretty please include all the members of the group AND it would be super nice if each person logging could reference the geocacher who sent the answers in their log."

QUESTION 1. What is the texture of the Red Granite wall?
A) Pegmatitic
B) Phaneritic
C) Aphanitic

QUESTION 2. Now look closely at the crystals that make up this Red Granite. Would you say the range of Orthoclase Feldspar in this stone is:
A) 75% to 100% Mostly pinkish Orthoclase Feldspar with barely any minerals showing.
B) 50% to 75% A more even "salt & pepper" mixture of Orthoclase Feldspar and Quartz.
C) 0% to 50% Rock is a majority of other darker Minerals and with less amounts of Orthoclase Feldspar and Quartz.

QUESTION 3. The Flesh color of this granite comes from which mineral?

POST PHOTO IN YOUR LOG: Posting a photo in your log readily indicates that you (and anyone else logging the find) are at the memorial. You do not have to show your face, but the photo should be personalized by you, your hand, or a personal item with the memorial. NOTE: Per newly published Earthcache guidelines, this requirement is REQUIRED to claim the find. I will also except photos sent to me in the message center for those of you who prefer privacy.

AE3(AW) Awesnap is a Navy Veteran that has earned GSA's highest level:

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