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The Virgin Gorda Baths (Photos 1-3) are one of the British Virgin Island’s most famous landmarks. The Baths consist of numerous great boulders (some 40+ feet in diameter) creating caves, tunnels, sea pools and grottos, along with several erosional features resembling a variety of different shaped heads and structures.
Geological Formation
The oldest rocks in the Virgin Islands began to form approximately 120 million years ago as the result of volcanic action. However, the granite boulders of Virgin Gorda did not appear until the Tertiary Period, approximately 50 million years later. At that time magma (molten rock) intruded into the newly formed layers of lava on the seabed of the Caribbean. The accumulation of magma gradually formed huge sections of a type of granite called granodiorite, consisting mainly of feldspar and quartz. About 15 to 25 million years ago, the granodiorite was exposed by tectonic uplift and erosional removal of overlying rock. All granites fracture as they cool, and exhumed granite consists of fracture-bounded blocks. Commonly, such fractures are only a few feet apart. At southwestern Virgin Gorda, however, the fractures are spaced wider, and this, in combination with the even texture and lack of grain of the granodiorite, has resulted in truly huge structures. Originally, these boulders were more massive. However, fault lines developed, causing them to break into smaller pieces, which rested atop and alongside of one another. Granodiorite is relatively uncommon in the West Indies and usually outcrops in a less spectacular fashion; therefore, The Baths are considered unusual.
As millions of years passed, the granodiorite experienced significant weathering and erosion. Initially more squared, these blocks weather most readily at corners and edges, gradually becoming the rounded remains we see today. One of the most important sources of erosion is rainwater. As it falls, the rain reacts with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and a very weak form of carbonic acid results. With the exception of quartz, all of the minerals which form granite react readily with carbonic acid, and erosion and pitting, as well as fluting of the boulders occurs. If you observe the surface of the boulders you will notice that in many places the rough surface appears to be flaking. The roughness is caused by particles of quartz which are exposed, but still held in place by the minerals not yet eroded around them.
Large caves carved out of the rocks and a massive tunnel through one of the boulders are additional features of The Baths. Such hollow boulders are formed by prevalent easterly and southeasterly winds. These provide additional moisture on the exposed rock face, resulting in an accelerated erosion which gradually develops a ledge or canopy on the face of the rock. Dampness within the shaded canopy furthers the erosion and hollowing process. Over millions of years, this steady erosion has created the substantial caves we see today.
The Baths: A Tour
Figure 1 (Map to the Baths; D.R.McClintock; 1989) shows a graphic drawing of the layout and certain features of The Baths. Be sure to take time to explore this unique location. Following this route takes about one hour but allocate 4 hours to fully enjoy the area.
1. Entrance
2. Shelf Boulder (Note the fault through the top of the adjacent boulder to the right of this boulder)
3. North Cave (Note the deep holes caused by uneven erosion. Also, note the size of this boulder, one of the largest)
4. “The Baths” (Note on the huge boulder to your right the beautiful markings caused by chemical reaction of rainwater with the minerals)
5. The Throne (Note the unusual rock formation)
6. Ship’s Keel Boulder (As you stand under this boulder, notice its shape)
7. Walk under the Ship’s Keel as far as you can to the south, then turn around and look up. This magnificent tunnel is Neptune’s Hideaway (Note the pitting on the boulders on your left)
8. The Cathedral (Look up and note the limited points of contact between the massive boulders overhead)
9. Tarzan Land (Roots of pomegranate trees you will see when you climb above in a moment or two)
10. Boulder House (Note how dry it is in here, even when it rains). Retrace your steps a few meters and turn to your left and start up the incline. Look to your right to see…
11. Geodesic Cave. Continue to climb up. Just as you emerge between the two boulders, look ahead to see…
12. Whale’s Head (Note to the left of the whale’s mouth an obelisk which was once part of the Whale’s Head boulder. Stand near the obelisk and look to the west to find the entrance to Neptune’s Hideaway and see a new shape that has emerged)
13. Lion’s Head (Start at the top of the boulder and let your eye follow the line down to the left to see the lion’s forehead, nose, upper jaw, eye and markings on his face and mane)
14. Ethiopian Head, a striking formation to the left of the Lion’s Head.
Caution:
Pay attention to the flag system telling of sea conditions during the winter months. Any ground swell from the North will drastically change the waters surrounding The Baths. Also pay attention to the rocks surrounding the edges of tidal pools – they can be quite slippery. Rubber-soled trail/water sandals are recommended footwear.
**NOTE**:
REMEMBER -- THIS IS A BVI NATIONAL PARK. HELP MAINTAIN THE SAFETY & INTEGRITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT & THIS HISTORICAL SITE BY TAKING NOTHING & LEAVING NOTHING. THIS WILL HELP ENSURE THAT THIS EC REMAINS IN PLAY FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF CACHERS WHO FOLLOW!
To claim this EarthCache you must:
1. Take and post a picture of you and your GPSr (required) at one of the above structures of The Baths and e-mail me the answers to the following questions:
2. A major rock of The Baths is granodiorite. The presence of what mineral makes it granidiorite rather than diorite, and the predominance of what mineral distinguishes it from granite?
3. What is a typical color of granodiorite and why?
Do NOT post your answers, encrypted or otherwise, on your log.
DO NOT LOG AS A FIND UNTIL YOU HAVE A PICTURE READY TO POST AT THE TIME OF LOGGING A FIND FOR THIS EC. Logs with no photo of the actual cacher logging the find or failure to answer required questions through email will result in a log deletion without notice. Exceptions will be considered if you contact me first.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)