Quail Island's Rocky Past EarthCache
Hello Mrs: Unable to maintain, Retired
Quail Island's Rocky Past
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cache is situated on the island in Lyttelton Harbour Capt. Mein Smith named in 1842 after the now extinct native quail he flushed out of the bush. The terrain difficulty is high as some effort and planning is required to reach the island.
Access to the Quail Island is available 24/7 using private means eg kayak or motor boat. A regular ferry service runs from Lyttelton ferry terminal to the island during summer months including public holidays. Allow at least 3 hours to complete the walking track around the island viewing places of interest and finding caches.
The Earth Cache site is located at one of the points of interest on the walking track. Take time to stop here to consider the geological history of Quail Island viewing excellent examples of volcanic cliffs showing how the island was formed.
Extract from Mountains of Fire by Geoffrey J Cox
‘Eventually, all volcanoes die. Their life may be measured in days (as it was for most of Auckland’s 48 volcanoes), or it may last thousands or millions of years, but at last the source of the magna dries up and the chamber slowly cools and solidifies. Erosion will then eat into the volcano and, in time, remove every trace of it. The volcanoes of Banks Peninsula had a long life, spanning some 6 million years, and their death has been, so far, of similar length. We can be sure they will not erupt again but, it is the very fact they are extinct, and have been for so long, that makes them of such interest.’
Three eruptions can be identified in the different layers of rock in the cliffs opposite.
To log a find for this cache questions 1 - 4 must be answered correctly and emailed to the owner. Do not include your answers in the log. Logs which do not comply will be deleted.
1. Basalt Lava from which mountain makes up the younger northern part of the island?
This Basalt Lava is how many million years old?
2. About 11 million years ago, the Lyttelton volcano reached how many metres high? near what Bay?
3. What rocks make up the oldest, southern part of Quail Island? These rocks were formed during an ancient eruption how many million years ago? where?
4. Take a WP at this location and note the elevation. This is an average height of these volcanic cliffs. What is your elevation?
5. Lastly download your find online including
either
A photo of yourself with GPS . Do not include the information board in your photo.
or
Write a brief weather report at the time of your visit.
Recommended reading:-
Mountain of Fire - the volcanic past of Banks Peninsula by Geoffrey J Cox available from Christchurch Public libraries children’s section
(visit link)
Columnar Jointing Rock Formation (Quail Island is named in a list of lesser known examples)
(visit link)
'BANKS PENINSULA', an extract from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966. Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 18-Sep-2007
(visit link)
Landforms - The volcanic shape of the Port Hills
(visit link)
Arial image of Banks Peninsula
(visit link)
The Latest Phase in Vulcanicity of the Lyttelton Volcano by R. Speight, M.A., F.G.S., F.Am.G.S.
General information:-
There are public toilets at several locations on the island.
Emergency phone – Located on pole near the visitors centre. Dial 1 for outside line.
No camping except with express permission from the Department of Conservation
No fires, gas cooking only.
No bikes or dogs (except guide dogs with permission from DOC).
Please take your rubbish with you.
The water on the island is drinkable.
Please do not walk on or near the new tree plantings.
Other points of interest on the island include:-
Visitors centre
The Wards settlement site
Ballast Quarries
Ship wrecks
Walkers Beach
Leprosy colony & grave site
Antarctic Links
Human and animal quarantines
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx sbe na vasbezngvba obneq ng TM