This EarthCache will take you to Newport Methodist Church.
Originally built as a Bible Christian Chapel in 1879, it replaced the earlier Zion Chapel, further down Quay Street. The chapel was designed in a Gothic style, to accommodate about 600 people. The architect was Frederick Mew, of London, and it was built by Isaac Barton, of Ryde.
The chapel replaced 32, 33 and 34 Quay Street. When these were demolished an auction was held to sell the materials, viz. "100,000 good grey and red bricks, 1,000 slates, 30,000 plain tiles, 1,000 pan tiles ... 1 ton of lead, 15 stoves and ranges, copper, 35 glazed sashes, 37 doors and frames" and more.
The purpose of this EarthCache will help you learn about Xenoliths and how they are formed.
Igneous rocks form when molten rock originating from deep within the earth’s crust cools (either below the surface as an intrusion e.g. granite, or above the surface as an extrusion e.g. basalt lava). The resulting igneous rock is composed of interlocking crystals, the size of which depends on the time taken for the molten rock to cool. If the molten rock cooled rapidly, the crystals are small; if it cooled slowly, the crystals will be large. A common building stone of the latter type is granite – due to the large crystal size in granite it is a very aesthetically pleasing rock, and as such is found in many forms, cladding buildings and also being used for ornamental pillars and balustrades.
The pillars are composed of red granite, with pink crystals of the mineral feldspar and large black xenoliths. A xenolith is an inclusion in the magma which formed the granite and quite often it is part of the existing country rock into which the magma was forced.
Use the photo below to find the correct bit to examine. The part you need is under the red 'blob'. Answer the following questions:
Q1. You should be able to see a xenolith on the pillar. Use the photo to find the correct part to examine. What you are looking for is under the red 'blob'. What distinguishes it from the granite surrounding it?
Q2. Describe the size and shape of the xenolith.
Q3. How do you think the xenoliths got there? (Read the cache page)
Q4. Please provide a photo of yourself or a personal item near GZ (without giving away the answers).
Answers to questions 1-3 should be sent by the message centre or email. Please DO NOT include the answers in your log.
Please send your answers BEFORE logging the cache. You do not need to wait for a reply, but if there is a problem, we will let you know.
ANY LOGS ENTERED WITHOUT ANSWERS BEING SENT WITHIN TWO WEEKS WILL BE DELETED.
If you would like to add to the Church Micro series yourself then please visit
http://churchmicro.co.uk/
There is also a Church Micro Stats & Information page that can be found at
http://www.15ddv.me.uk/geo/cm/index.html