I was recently up here on a Give Back to the Community Scheme (GBCS), where litter was being picked and placed in refuse sacks. It was whilst doing this, that a fellow participant tapped the rock with his litter picker, and remarked 'Just what is this?'. This kid to a discussion about geology of the area and what it was.
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM DROPPING LITTER HERE.
🤔 The geology of the location.
About 330 million years ago, this whole area was covered by a vast river delta, comparable with the Amazon River Delta today. Sand and sediment was carried down stream, and when the water speed slowed then the sand and sediment was deposited. This sediment over time built up layers , and eventually rock was formed, namely sandstone. What the litter picker tapped was sandstone. Now picture the Amazon delta in your mind, or indeed any river system , trees and vegetation grows amidst it, on islands, and on the land. As well as sediment being carried, the water also carries branches, and in some cases whole tree trunks. Like the sediment, these were deposited, and then covered in sediment. As the rock formed, these items then became part of the rock as fossils.
Fossils are the preserved remains of an animal, plant or even activity. As the animal or plant decompose, they at times left a cavity which was filled with sediment, and their form is preserved.
What we can see here are some fossils. Many don't associate this area of East Lancashire with fossils but they can be found if you take time to look, and that is what we are here to do.
🕵♂️ Lets be a geological detective.
In order to undertake an EarthCache you need to undertake some tasks, and then send them to myself. This can be done via the send message facility on my Geocaching profile.
To undertake the tasks you need to be a basic geologist, which is like being a geological detective.
🔎 Look at the colour. As this can indicate what it is made of. Grey can indicate a calcium content such as limestone. Red / brown can indicate an iron content. Black can be due to graphite.
🔎 Look at the structure of the rock. Are there large pieces in the rock? Are there crystals or grains? Are there any specific shapes?
🔎 How does it feel? Is it rough or smooth?
🔎 Look for fossils, are there straight lines, curving lines, or circles, these could all indicate a fossil.
🔎 Once you've done the above then you gather your evidence together in order to form a hypothesis.
A fellow volunteer at the litter pick. Thank you to Mr B.Sharpe for consent to use his image. You need to look where the litter picker is pointing.
QUESTIONS.
1. How does the rock feel? Is it the same all over?
2. Please look at the fossils, please describe them innterms of colour, shape and any special features. What do they remind you of?
3. Why are they here?