Giant Kettles - Trollhättan EarthCache
Giant Kettles - Trollhättan
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Geology Combined with History at it's Best.
Giant Kettles
The latest ice age, or glacial period, began about 110,000 years ago and lasted in Sweden until about 11,000 years ago. Rock scouring and scratching, glacial moraines, drumlins, valley cutting, glacial sediments, sedimentary rocks and erratic boulders are some of the geological traces left from the massive forces of the thick and heavy ice. Another such trace are giant kettles which are cavities or holes which appear to have been drilled in the surrounding rocks by currents of water bearing stones, gravel and other wearing matter. If you look at a giant kettle you can often see scratch marks as a result of this process.
In Sweden and other places, giant kettles have often been surrounded by folklore and tales about giants using the kettles to prepare their food.
Trollhättan
In August 9, 1754 King Adolf Fredrik inaugurated the lock Ekeblads sluss together with his queen Lovisa Ulrika. During these events they became the first to sign their names on the wall of the giant kettle. Ever since, every monarch and their spouse has signed it. This has made it the royal guestbook of Trollhättan and the signatures of the current King Carl XVI Gustaf, his Queen Silvia and the Crown Princess Victoria can be seen as well. Because of this, the giant kettle is called the Kings Cave (Swe: Kungsgrottan). Another distinguishing feature of this kettle is it's beautiful location just next to the bridge Oscarsbron over river Göta älv and the Trollhättan Falls.
Visit the Area
Although not required, I encourage you to also visit the surrounding area. I have provided you with some interesting places as waypoints.
Just close by is the Sword Monument and the Memorial Stone for the Swedish scientist and inventor Christopher Polhem (1661-1751). If you want to see a bit more, you can take a walk for about 45 minutes upstream north, over the next bridge and back.
Logging Instructions
When you have visited this Earthcache you can log it right away. For you to keep your log you must also send me the answer to these questions:
1. During the festival Fallens dagar (Eng: Days of the Waterfalls), people stand here on the bridge Oscarsbron to see the water being released. How much water do they see passing through every second?
2. The water from lake Vänern flow through here, when was the lake formed?
3. How many meters above sea level is Vänern located?
If you want to, I would be happy if you provide a photo of you at the given coordinates or at any of the additional waypoints.
Enjoy your caching!
/Mbit |
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Additional Hints
(No hints available.)