This earthcache will give you an opportunity to learn about a cool monument and geology. There is no physical container. Go to the posted location, read the lesson below and complete the logging tasks.
The History
The Cortland County Civil War Memorial, officially known as the Union Soldier Monument, is an 8.5-foot bronze and granite statue located in Courthouse Park in Cortland, New York. Unveiled in the 1870s to honor local Union soldiers and the U.S. centennial, it remains a focal point of local history. The monument was shifted roughly 50 feet east in 1985 to accommodate the new park fountain.
Granite Weathering
Weathering is the process most commonly observed in everyday environments. It occurs in two distinct forms. Mechanical weathering involves the physical breakup of rock into smaller fragments without changing the rock’s chemical identity. Chemical weathering, on the other hand, transforms minerals within the rock into new compounds through chemical reactions. Water plays a central role in chemical weathering. When oxygen is dissolved in water, it can oxidize certain minerals, and when carbon dioxide mixes with water, it forms carbonic acid, which reacts with many rock-forming minerals. These reactions gradually alter the internal structure of the original material by adding or removing elements.
Granite provides a clear example of how chemical weathering operates. As a felsic igneous rock, granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar, two minerals that are light in color and rich in silica. During chemical weathering, potassium feldspar within the granite breaks down into clay minerals, soluble salts such as potassium bicarbonate, and dissolved silica. Quartz, which is highly resistant to chemical change, typically remains intact. The weathering of silicate minerals also produces iron oxides and additional clay minerals
Granite is also widely used for monuments and memorials because of its exceptional durability. Its mineral composition makes it highly resistant to both mechanical and chemical weathering, allowing it to maintain its structural integrity for centuries. Quartz, one of its primary components, is particularly resistant to abrasion and chemical alteration, which helps granite retain sharp edges and carved details far longer than many other stones. Granite’s density and hardness also make it less vulnerable to cracking or chipping, even in harsh climates with freeze–thaw cycles. Beyond its physical strength, granite offers aesthetic advantages: its varied colors, crystalline texture, and ability to take a high polish make it visually striking and suitable for both decorative and commemorative purposes. These qualities together explain why granite has become a preferred material for monuments that are intended to endure and preserve their appearance over long periods of time.
Despite its durability, granite can still undergo surface discoloration. Over time, pollutants, acidic precipitation, and biological growth can darken the stone. Organisms such as algae, moss, and lichen often thrive on granite surfaces, especially in damp or shaded environments. Because granite is somewhat porous, moisture can linger within its surface, creating ideal conditions for these organisms to establish themselves. Their growth forms a dark film that gradually obscures the natural appearance of the stone, giving it a blackened or stained look.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
Please complete the tasks and questions below, and send me your answers. If logging for a group, please include the names of everyone in your group.
- Describe the appearance of the granite. What signs of weathering do you see? Where do you see it? What type do you think it is?
- Why do you think the weathering is appearing in the places it is?
- Compare the current condition to the postcard above from 1907. How well do you believe the monument is holding up to weathering?
- Take a photo of yourself (or personal item) in front of the monument. You can attach it to your found it log (optional)