China Boy Earth Cache EarthCache
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The China Boy formation is located in the Chiricahua National Monument. There is an entrance fee.
The Chiricahua Apache called these pinnacles “standing up rocks”. Their origins began 27 million years ago when eruptions from the Turkey Creek Volcano spewed ash over 1200 square miles. These superheated ash particles melted together, forming layers of gray rock called rhyolite. Cooling and subsequent uplifting created joints and cracks in the rhyolite. Eons of weathering by ice wedging and erosion by water enlarged the cracks. Weaker material was washed away leaving behind an endless variety of spires, balanced rocks and other shapes. This sculpting continues today. Many of these formations have names.
As you enter the Chiricahua National Monument you are climbing up a sky island - an isolated mountain range rising above the surrounding grassland sea. Meadows dotted with cactus and mesquite begin to fill with sycamore, juniper, and oak trees.
Please submit by email the answers to the following questions.
1) How was China Boy formed?
2) What are nuee ardentes?
3) What man-made object is next to the reader board?
For more info on The Chiricahua National Monument go to:
www.nps.gov/chir/
Permission to place this earth cache was recieved from
Brian Carey
Superintendent
Chiricahua National Monument
Brian_Carey@nps.gov
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Frr gur ernqre obneq