Description:
At this beautiful and reflective war memorial, geology and biology quietly interact in a fascinating way. The monument is constructed from Maltese Marble, a limestone formed millions of years ago in warm, shallow seas. This type of stone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, making it both beautiful and vulnerable to weathering processes.
Over time, you may notice patches of lichen growing on the surface of the stone. Lichens are not single organisms, but a symbiotic partnership between fungi and algae. They are among the first colonisers of bare rock surfaces and play an important role in biological weathering.
As lichens grow, they produce weak organic acids that slowly break down the marble. Their tiny root-like structures (hyphae) can also penetrate microscopic cracks in the stone. Combined with natural environmental factors like rain, temperature changes, and air pollution, this contributes to the gradual decay of the monument’s surface.
This EarthCache highlights how even in a place of remembrance, natural processes continue to shape the materials around us.
Geological Background:
Maltese Marble is actually a form of limestone, deposited during the Oligocene to Miocene periods. It formed from compacted marine organisms such as shells and coral fragments. Because it is rich in calcium carbonate:
- It reacts with acidic rainwater (chemical weathering)
- It is susceptible to biological weathering from organisms like lichen
- It gradually loses surface detail over time
Lichens accelerate this process by:
- Secreting acids that dissolve minerals
- Physically expanding cracks
- Trapping moisture against the rock surface
AI has been used in the creation of this EarthCache
Any images used in the creation of this EarthCache are from my own collection taken in the field.
Logging Tasks:
To log this EarthCache, visit the site and answer the following, answers should be sent via the message or e-mail facility in my profile. Please note, there is no physical container:
- Observation:
Describe the distribution of lichen on the memorial. Is it concentrated in certain areas (e.g., shaded, damp, or rough surfaces)?
- Weathering Evidence:
Can you identify any visible signs of weathering on the marble (e.g., pitting, discoloration, smoothing of edges)?
- Interpretation:
Why do you think lichen prefers certain parts of the memorial over others?
- Touch & Texture:
Carefully feel the stone (where appropriate). Does the surface feel rougher where lichen is present compared to cleaner areas?
- Photo (now mandatory):
Take a photo of you or something to identify you near the memorial, but please, no spoilers, they will be deleted (avoid including identifiable people).
Educational Value:
This EarthCache demonstrates:
- The composition and vulnerability of limestone (Maltese Marble)
- The role of lichens in biological weathering
- The interaction between living organisms and geological materials
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The series is dedicated to those who fought for their country. "We will remember them".
If anyone would like to place a War Memorial Cache of your own then please do so. We would ask if you do so please contact Just-us-Two through their profile page or justustwo1013@gmail.com so they can keep track of the numbers.
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*****PLEASE NOTE IMPORTANT *****
****PHYSICAL CACHES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE PLACED ON THE ACTUAL MEMORIAL OR WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF SUCH MEMORIALS. AT ALL TIMES TREAT LOCATIONS OF MEMORIALS WITH RESPECT. ****