Arkaroo's Rumbling

Out here early in the morning, before the heat of the day kicks in! Having all the space for just myself! A while ago, I met Ian Plimer here nearby, who stayed in the solid house nearby - and we all slept over at his place. Thanks for putting an Earthcache up - always enjoying them - but why not forgetting the Police State for a while (CO) - it would be much more welcoming! At the end, we do this game for fun! Delete it or not - if you have the right to do so!

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Regarding GC64PFT: Junction Mine - Browne Shaft –

Question 1 – In front of you is the jagged black out crop, How hard is the black rock can it be scratched or broken easily with your hands?
A: Nope - it's one of the harder rocks which is hard to break or even scratch!

Question 2 – How does the black rock feel, is it smooth, rough, powdery etc?
A: smooth at natural surfaces. Fracture surface rough.

Question 3 - What other coloured rocks can be seen in this area and how do they compare to the black ones?
A: grayish layers of rocks. they are layered like a sandwhich, some layers folded.

Question 4 – Looking at the outcrop can you see any recent evidence of erosion? How many years do you think it would take for it all to erode away?
A: the entire thing is erosion - since the mountains formed! Give it another million years. Hard to foresee!

After a hot day, I went out an hour before sunset for this Earthcache. Always nice driving up this hill and enjoy the views! Not many people though - maybe two other cars at all! Not much green either - neither polymers nor plants - apart from the little garden neat the center, growing even lomandra longifolia! The Arkaroo loves the mountains, the rocks - that's why Earthcaches are my favorites. Thanks for bringing me here Freddo - TFTCM!

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Hey Freddo - good to find another cache of yours: The Hill at Broken Hill!
https://coord.info/GC882BC

• Describe the rocks you are standing on. Texture? Size? Hardness? Colour?
  A: lots of gravel! some of the larger pieces are stones with texture - layered structure, probably from sedimentation before the gneiss has been recovered.

• Can you suggest another way of stabilising the mullock heap?
  A: ad your next question: plants might not do the job, because not growing here! Polymers are not that good, as they are pollutants! putting a concrete layer over it would not be nice either! Build a citi? cover it with solar panels?

• Why is there is no vegetation growing on the barren mullock heap?
  A: First of all, there is lack of water, as the hill is just coarse gravel into which any humidity infiltrates and passes through, making it really hard to have any groundwater in reach for even the longest roots! My further guess is, these rocks are full of toxic minerals which the plants may not like. Altogether, no rain, no moisture retaining soil, and chemistry is not in favor for Eden!

You take care, mate - Klaus - The Arkaroo!

Finally an earthcache! This sandstone landscape reminds me well at Hawksbury sandstone, Sydney. The conglomerate is a bit like nagelfluh in upper Bavaria. The river is carving its bed on the hard congo, while the softer sandstone erodes away. Each time the lip breaks, the fall travels upward the stream, forming a canyon downstream. There are rock islands this time of the year, converted by seasonal sediments. Also high water lines can be recognized well on the shore rocks. TFTCM.