Logging Tasks

Task 1 — Examine the Stone Surface Up Close

Stand beside the main face of the Stone of Remembrance.
Without touching the stone, observe from a few centimetres away.

1. Describe the texture you see.
   Does the grain appear very fine, fine, medium, coarse, or mixed?

2. Identify one feature smaller than 5 mm.
   This might be:

   • a tiny pit

   • a rounded grain

   • a fossil fleck

   • a small tool or chisel mark

   • a weathered spot

Describe exactly what you see.

Task 2 — Compare Two Faces of the Stone

Walk around the Stone of Remembrance and compare two different sides.

1. Which face shows more weathering?

2. What specific on-site evidence did you observe (e.g., staining, pitting, roughness, softened edges, lichen, micro-cracks)?

3. Why do you think one face has weathered more than the other?
   (Consider exposure to rain, sun, prevailing winds, tree cover, etc.)

Task 3 — Identify the Rock Type Using On-Site Evidence

Using only the features you can see here:

1. Decide whether the stone is:

   • Sedimentary

   • Igneous

   • Metamorphic

2. Give two specific observations that support your answer.
   (Example: “I saw rounded grains and faint bedding, so I believe it is sedimentary.”)

Task 4 — Find Evidence of Chemical Weathering

Locate at least one area on the monument where chemical weathering has occurred.

Describe:

• Exactly where it is on the stone

• What you see (dark patches, granular decay, etching, pitting, dissolved areas)

• Why this indicates chemical weathering

Optional photo
A picture of you or your GPS, Personal Item should be taken at GZ. Please keep any close-ups that show answers out of the frame.

📚 Earth Science Background – Rock Types

Stone used in memorials and monuments in Britain usually comes from one of three main rock families. Each forms in a different way and has its own tell-tale features.

Sedimentary Rocks

Formed from layers of older material such as sand, mud or shells that have been compacted and cemented together over long periods.

How they usually look:

• Pale colours like cream, grey or buff

• Sometimes you can spot lines or bedding

• Fossils or tiny shell fragments may appear

• Often chosen for carving because it shapes well

Common building examples: limestone, sandstone

Reference: British Geological Survey – Sedimentary Rocks

Igneous Rocks

These start out as molten material (magma or lava) that cools and crystallises.

Typical clues:

• Crystals that lock together

• Speckled appearance

• Usually very tough and hard-wearing

Common building examples: granite, basalt

Reference: Geological Society – Igneous Rocks

Metamorphic Rocks

Formed when an existing rock is altered through heat, pressure, or both deep underground.

Typical clues:

• Dense, smooth feel

• May have streaks or banding

• Often takes a polish nicely

Common building examples: marble, slate

Reference: Geological Society – Metamorphism

🌦️ Weathering – How the Memorial Changes Over Time

Once stone is outdoors it slowly changes through weathering. Cambridge weather can produce all three main types.

Physical weathering

Things like temperature swings and freeze–thaw. Water in tiny cracks freezes, expands and gradually forces the stone apart.
What to look for: fine cracking, small flakes, edges losing their sharpness.

Reference: Met Office – Freeze–Thaw Processes

Chemical weathering

Rainwater is naturally slightly acidic due to dissolved carbon dioxide. Stones containing calcium carbonate (e.g., many limestones) gradually react with this acid, which can change the surface.

What to look for: darkened areas, surface roughness, pitting.

Reference: BGS – Carbonate Weathering

Biological weathering

Plants, moss, lichen and even microbes can slowly break down rock by producing mild acids or physically growing into small gaps.

What to look for: green or black patches, tiny plants in joints, uneven discolouration.

Reference: BGS – Biological Weathering

📍 On Location

The Cambridge War Memorial uses pale, finely carved stone that shows clear signs of long-term exposure to the elements. The stonework here gives you a good opportunity to look at both the material and how it has changed over time.
All tasks can be completed from ground level — there’s no need to touch or lean on the memorial.

⚠️ Access & Safety

• Please treat the memorial respectfully.

• Stay aware of nearby traffic and cyclists.

• Observations only — no sampling, scraping or touching the stone.

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