Giant Kettles - Brobacka EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The Biggest Giant Kettles in the Nordic Countries.
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.
Brobacka
In July 19, 1566 King Erik XIV gave the order during the Nordic Seven Years' War to cut off the retreat of the Danes. One month later the situation had become unbearable for the Danes and on August 9, they were finally defeated at the Battle of Brobacka.
Nowadays the area is more famous for its many giant kettles. Around forty kettles have been found in this small area and more are believed to be buried under the ground. The largest one is the biggest giant kettle in the Nordic countries, measuring 18 meters wide. It's a half giant kettle and would have been even more impressive if it had been full.
The kettles here got so big because of special circumstances. Under the heavy ice, rivers were formed. When the rivers passed between the two lakes Anten and Mjörn it passed the narrow strait here at Brobacka which made them flow faster. This created a bigger impact on the rocks here. Another contributing factor is the very large supply of sand and gravel, as can be seen by the many gravel pits southwest of Brobacka in for instance Österäng, Gråbo and Östad. The majority of the kettles are only half and many of them have spiral scratch marks. In addition, most of them are damaged because of the frost and filled with rocks and earth.
Visit the Area
Although not required, I encourage you to also visit the surrounding area.
The given coordinates take you to the main kettle, but you can follow the path for a nice walk to some of the other kettles. At the Information House there is a box with maps showing the kettles in the area.
If you rather go for a longer trip on the bike, both Anten and Mjörn each has their own bicycle race in the fall.
You can find more information here, unfortunately in Swedish only:
Antenrundan (Sunday, August 30, 2010)
Mjörn runt (Sunday, September 5, 2010)
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. Approximately how high above the sea level is the main kettle located?
2. When a half or open giant kettle is formed, it is believed the other half of the kettle consists of another material that later disappears. What material is this?
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 |
 |
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)