SKYLINE DRIVE
There are countless wonders to behold along your journey.
Terrain 1.0-1.5 ..... All are at overlooks. ..... Most are handicap accessible.
Bring BINOCULARS if you are handicapped and wish to remain in your vehicle.
MAP https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/whole_park.pdf
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 follow Leave No Trace principles. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. What is columnar jointing?
2. MESSAGE …. What is the range in diameter of the columns?
3. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at or near the posted coords. This picture is your log signature verifying that you were at the earthcache.
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 Robert L. Badger for permission to use your book for this earthcache.
THANK YOU Tim Taglauer for permission to place this earthcache along Skyline Drive.
COLUMNAR JOINTING
Columnar jointing is caused when magma cools. When magma cools, it is slowly changed from a liquid to a solid. As magma contracts, cracks radiate outward from regularly spaced points forming consistent angles. "In basalts, after the cracks are formed at the surface, they continue to grow below the surface as the magma cools and crystallizes at depth. The result is the formation of five- to six-sided vertical columns that extend from the top to the bottom of the flow."
The columns before you are five- to six-sided rising almost vertically from the ground. Curved columns are also present at this roadcut. "The curvature may be due to slight movement of the lava after partial solidification, or it may be due to an irregular cooling surface."
RESOURCE
Geology Along Skyline Drive by Robert L. Badger 2012 edition