EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. Estimate the size of the largest opening. How was it formed?
2. MESSAGE …. Estimate the size of the medium opening? Where is it located? How was it formed?
3. MESSAGE …. Estimate the size of the smallest openings? Where are they located? How were they formed?
4. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at or near the coordinates. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU Chris Perry (Park Manager) and Robert Myers (State Park Naturalist) for permission to share this learning adventure. ... Your permit for the earthcache “Smokey Bridge” is 19106CCSRP.
Geology of the Carter Caves Area
SMOKEY BRIDGE
Bridges are a type of arch. They need to have water flowing through it in order to be classified as a bridge. Smokey Bridge is composed of limestone and spans Smoky Creek. It is the largest natural bridge / arch in Kentucky. The stream flowing under Smokey Bridge is called a dry bed, because it is dry except during periods of heavy rainfall.
FORMATION
Natural arches are formed by the process of weathering, both physical and chemical. Predominantly, the action of water, gravity, and temperature sculpt the rock. Dissolution of the limestone bedrock by slightly acidic water is the main factor in the formation of natural rock openings. Both the dissolution of limestone and joints (breaks in rocks) present pathways for water movement to further sculpt the openings.
OPENINGS IN SMOKY BRIDGE
There are three main openings within/around the bridge. The largest opening allows even the tallest person to comfortably walk through. The middle one is located in a fairly unique place. You will notice something different about the two smallest openings. Each of the openings appears to have formed differently.
RESOURCES
https://kycarter.com/the_original_peoples/geology_tour.pdf
Geology of the Carter Caves Area ... http://ky.aipg.org/guidebooks/2011%20guidebook.pdf
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/10097332/geology-of-the-carter-caves-area-kentucky-section-american-
Hydrology of the Cavernous Limestones of the Mammoth Cave Area ... https://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/1837/report.pdf
Stratigraphy ... https://pubs.usgs.gov/bul/1605b/report.pdf
https://www.naturalarches.org/archinfo/taxonomy-waterfall.htm
https://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2015SE/webprogram/Paper253028.html
-"Physiographically, the Carter Caves State Resort Park lies along the western edge of the Allegheny or Cumberland Plateau (a physiographic province that extends from New York to Alabama). It consists of stream-eroded hills and ridges with narrow valleys." -The bedrock is predominantly limestone, which is easily dissolved by slightly acidic spring water. The streams in this area generally have upland characteristics, with moderate to high gradients. Thus, water dissolved a path through the limestone resulting in the formation of rises/resurgences, places where waters that have been diverted to underground routes reappear as surface-water springs. -In the long ago, the depositional environment consisted of rapid, flowing water. This is written in the rock record by inclined layers (crossbeds). Rock types vary in their composition and density. Weathering sculpts the rocks into a variety of formations and erodes through the rock creating openings. There is a large opening and a medium-sized opening. There are also two smaller openings where water eroded a channel through the limestone bedrock and exits a solution tube or anastomosis tube. Except during heavy storms, the two rising springs here appear to supply all the water that flows under Smokey Bridge." Carter Caves page 17-18 / Smokey Creek -or- Tygarts Creek