War Memorial #2385 ~ Messing EarthCache

Messing War Memorial stands outside the entrance to the church and is a granite cross on a three stepped granite base, and it bears the names of twenty four men lost in World War One, and two lost in World War Two.

Granite is an Igneous rock that forms deep underground through the slow cooling and solidification of magma beneath the Earth's surface. This slow cooling process allows large crystals to form, giving granite its coarse-grained texture.

Step-by-Step Formation:

1. Magma Generation:

   • Granite forms from silica-rich magma, typically produced by the partial melting of continental crust rocks.

2. Crystallization:

   • As the magma slowly cools deep within the crust, it begins to crystallize.

   • Minerals like quartz, feldspar, and mica crystallize out of the melt in a specific order based on temperature.

3. Intrusive Rock Formation:

   • Because granite forms below the surface, it's considered an intrusive (or plutonic) igneous rock.

   • The body of granite may later be exposed at the surface due to erosion of overlying rocks over millions of years.

• Texture: Coarse-grained (you can see the individual crystals)

• Colour: Varies — white, pink, gray, or black — depending on mineral composition

• Hardness: Very hard and durable

• Uses: Widely used in construction (countertops, tiles, monuments)

The most common minerals found in granite include:

1. Quartz

• A hard, glassy mineral (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)

• Typically clear, grey, or white

• Resistant to weathering

2. Feldspar

This is usually the most abundant mineral in granite, typically divided into two main types:

• Orthoclase (Potassium Feldspar) – Pink, white, or cream-colored

• Plagioclase Feldspar – Ranges from white to grey (a solid solution between albite and anorthite)

3. Mica

• Biotite – Dark brown or black mica (contains iron and magnesium)

• Muscovite – Light-colored mica (contains potassium and aluminum)

4. Amphibole (e.g., Hornblende)

• A dark mineral often found in granite, rich in iron and magnesium

Common Granite Colours

White Granite

• Main mineral: Quartz and feldspar

• Description: White granite usually has a clean, light appearance. The white or light grey parts come from quartz and feldspar, which are both light-coloured minerals.

Pink or Red Granite

• Main mineral: Potassium feldspar

• Description: Pink or reddish tones in granite are caused by potassium feldspar. The intensity of the colour depends on the amount and distribution of this mineral.

Black Granite

• Main minerals: Biotite or hornblende

• Description: Dark or black flecks and patches come from biotite (a black mica) or hornblende (a dark green to black amphibole). If these minerals dominate, the overall granite can appear dark or even mostly black.

Grey Granite

• Main minerals: Quartz, feldspar, and a small amount of dark minerals like biotite

• Description: Grey is the most common colour of granite, typically resulting from a mix of light feldspar and quartz with some darker minerals.

Green Granite

• Main mineral: Chlorite, epidote, or sometimes green feldspar

• Description: Greenish hues may come from the presence of minerals like chlorite or epidote. True green granites are less common.

Blue Granite

• Main mineral: Blue quartz or labradorite (a type of feldspar)

• Description: Rare and often highly prized, blue granite gets its colour from minerals like labradorite, which can show a blue iridescence, or blue-tinted quartz.

Yellow or Gold Granite

• Main minerals: Iron-rich feldspar, and iron oxide staining

• Description: Golden or yellow shades usually come from feldspar with iron content or from iron oxide staining in the rock.

Granite is typically a mix of minerals, so most pieces display a combination of colours, giving it its characteristic speckled appearance. The relative abundance of each mineral determines the overall colour tone.

 study this War Memorial and answer these four simple questions;

1. Observe and describe the texture of the war memorial War Memorial. Compare the front with the black lettering to the sides and the rear, how does it differ and what do you think the reason is?

2. Please comment on its overall colour, and what minerals give the rock this colour?

3. On the top step and to the rear there is one crystal that stands out as the largest. It is approximately 30mm in length. Describe the colour and shape of this crystal and what tell me what you think it is?

4. Why do you think granite a good choice of material for a Memorial such as this? 

5. COMPULSORY. Please take a picture of yourself, your GPS device or a personal item or a photo at GZ with your name visible, preferably with the church in the background and please be careful that your picture does not give away any answers. 

Please feel free to log a find straight after you have sent me your answers. All answers will be looked at and if there are any issues I will contact you. ANY found logs without a photo and any found logs without answers submitted within a reasonable period will be deleted. This is to ensure fairness to those cachers who do complete the tasks required.