GCXVT0 Glamorgan Coast Geology - Dinosaurs (Unknown Cache) in South Wales, United Kingdom created by Write and Mane

This cache has been archived.

Write and Mane: The recent rule change has removed the essential point behind this cache, which was never intended to be a 'cache-and-dash'.
It is hoped to resurrect the underlying objective as an Earthcache soon. The frustrating thing about this is that the series was planned when Earthcaches under the umbrella of Geocaching were okay but, just before the first cache in the series was released, the rules were changed to exclude them. The result was the less than satisfactory compromise that had to be used.
So two rule changes have forced us back to where we wanted to be in the first place ... but we could have done without all the avoidable hassle in between!

GCXVT0 ▼

A cache by Write and Mane Message this owner

Hidden : 8/20/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

One of a short series exploring the geology of the Glamorgan Coast, this one looks at features on the foreshore to the east of Bendrick Rock, Barry, including dinosaur footprints. The cache is a medium sized plastic lunch box. Expect to walk about 1½ miles, some of it on a rocky foreshore.

The rocks in this area were laid down at the end of the Triassic Period, just over 200 million years ago and include distinctive red mudstones and coarse grey conglomerates. Picture the environment when the mud was being deposited in a lake, with a more tropical climate causing the water level to vary. The wet mud is exposed and dries to the consistency of plasticine, when a family of dinosaurs crosses it on their way to drink from the lake. Their footprints are left on the surface of the mud, which dries further and is covered by subsequent sediments. Over the next 200 million years, the footprints are buried deeply, harden into rock due to pressure and heat, to be re-exposed quite recently, in geological terms, as a result of erosion. The dinosaurs’ feet had three clawed toes and their fossilised prints may be hard to identify – easier in some light and wetness conditions than others. However, some have been circled with white paint (not by us!).

The recommended approach is via a permissive footpath that starts at the gate into HMS Cambria (where there is a rather off-putting sign!) and skirts around the western perimeter of this establishment, just outside the security fence. When you reach the foreshore, follow the higher rock platforms west until you reach a small bay with a concrete slipway. As well as the dinosaur footprints, look out for a well-defined fault, with a vertical displacement of about 2 feet, and some large slabs with ripple marks, looking just like those that you might find on a beach today – which tells you how they were formed millions of years ago. The waypoints listed below and the uploaded images should help you identify the three geological features.

*** PLEASE HEED THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS ***

1. The footprints are below high tide level, so only attempt this cache when the tide is in the lower half of its cycle. You can check tide times at several web sites e.g. (visit link)
and get the prediction for Barry.

2. Take care on the foreshore: the rocks may be slippery and there are vertical drops between rock platforms.

3. If you fail to follow the recommended approach, the terrain rating may be higher!

4. The footprints are in an SSSI – do not attempt to remove or damage them.

If you are looking for more information on the geology of the Glamorgan Coast, “Walking the Rocks” (£7.95 from the National Museum of Wales) outlines six exploratory walks, within the overall context of the geological sequence and timescale.

Oh! We nearly forgot – there is also a regular cache hidden in the vicinity, at the reference coordinates of the cache listing. The cache had to be placed outside of the SSSI, so it is a short walk away along the coastal path. However, we want people to explore the geology, not just treat this as a quick cache and dash, so you should include an image of a dinosaur footprint or track when logging a find. Just to confirm as from January 2009, failure to provide an appropriate image will result in deletion of the log.

THE CACHE IS VERY CLOSE TO THE HIGHEST TIDE LEVELS, SO PLEASE ENSURE THAT IT IS LEFT BOTH SECURE AND WELL SCREENED FROM VIEW.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)