Great Rift Valley EarthCache
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This cache is a lookout beside a main road
The Rift Valley is one of the most important features of the geological world. It marks the place where two of the earth's tectonic plates are starting to pull apart. Eventually, far into the future, the ocean will flow into this valley, as the two sides move further and further apart.
A rift valley is a huge crack on the earth's surface, caused when two pieces of land pull apart, and the remaining land between them falls to a lower level.
In the case of the rift valley here in Kenya, the plateau, on which the towns of Iten and Eldoret are built, suddenly drops away by thousands of feet. There are two roads down into the valley. The one on which you are standing is asphalt road, and has spectacular views. A much more rugged road with sheer drops and little protection is at N 01 03.879 E 35 35.887.
As you might expect, when the land is tearing itself apart, there are volcanoes nearby. You can't see a volcano from this location, but several are to be found about fifty miles to the east to the north of Lake Bogoria.
In order to log this cache you need to calculate the depth of the rift valley from where you are standing. The elevation at the bottom of the valley is 3887 feet.
Additional Hints
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