I was near GZ in search of a new traditional cache and I spotted this very cool Feature.It is a great spot for an EarthCache so I wanted to bring others here to check it out.
Questions to answer for your smiley :
1) From the lesson, what is a contributing factor for the color of Sandstone?
2) The Process that forms these crystals is called _________
3) At GZ are these crystals in clusters or long veins?
4) What is the most prevalent color of these Feather Crystals at GZ.
5) As of June 2019, earthcaches now contain required photo logging tasks. Please provide a photo of yourself, your GPSr, or a personal item that proves that you have visited this site. You can use the parking area as your Backdrop. No Spoilers in that picture please.
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. ... "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." (4.3. EarthCache logging tasks) if your answers are WAY off, I’ll contact you. Otherwise, please log your find after sending me your answers via email or messaging. Please indicate your geocaching name and include the names of other geocachers with you. Logging it as found without providing your answers AND not uploading a photo could result in the log being deleted without notice. According to the guidelines, sending the answers is a requirement, not a request.
THE LESSON
At GZ you will find many examples of Calcite Crystals within this small outcrop of sandstone. This lesson will discuss these types of crystalls so lets get to it.To start, lets look at the rock these beutiful deposits are embedded in.
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of sand-sized mineral particles, mostly quartz. This rock forms through the compaction and cementation of sand particles over long geological periods, often in riverbeds, beaches, and deserts. The durability and abundance of sandstone have made it a cornerstone material for construction from ancient civilizations to modern architecture
Sandstone forms as a result of the deposition, compaction, and cementation of sand grains. Over time, these particles, often sourced from quartz and feldspar, are bonded together by minerals like silica, calcite, or iron oxides, creating sandstone. The environment where sandstone forms, such as deserts, rivers, or oceans, can influence its appearance and composition.
Now lets look at the crystals.
There are several different type of Crystals but what we find here are Called Feather Crystalls.
Feather calcite is a unique type of calcite known for its delicate, feather-like appearance. Its structure resembles the soft, fine texture of a bird’s feather, making it a visually interesting mineral.
This mineral often forms in thin, plate-like crystals that layer over each other, much like feathers do on a bird. The layers can be translucent to opaque, giving feather calcite a depth and complexity in its appearance.
The color of feather calcite usually ranges from clear to white, sometimes with hints of other colors depending on the mineral impurities present.
The Process
The crystallization process begins with nucleation, the initial step where a small number of particles (that is, ions,atoms or molecules,) come together to form a stable cluster of solid material. This cluster acts as a seed for further growth.
Once nucleation has occurred, the crystal grows as more particles join the initial cluster. Growth, or accretion, can happen in a solution, in a liquid, or in a vapor. The particles continue to arrange themselves in a pattern characteristic of a crystalline solid. Temperature can also play a crucial role in crystal formation. The quicker the cooling process can create the variations of the crystal angles.
Resources Used :
A) https://www.rockhounding.org/wiki/rocks-metals-minerals-crystals
B) The 12 Different Types Of Calcite (With Photos)
C) How crystals are made? | Formation & Facts | Britannica
