Haystack Rock EarthCache
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In order to count this Earthcache as a find, you must complete the following tasks and email the answers to me.
1. What is the elevation?
2. Describe Haystack Rock, including color of rock, height, size, and shape.
3. What effect has erosion had on Haystack Rock?
4. Approximately how far does Haystack Rock sit from the coast?
5. Knowing that Haystack Rock used to be connected to the coast, how long do you think it took for the gap to form between the coast and Haystack Rock took?
6. Describe Sven and Lori. How do you think these smaller sea stacks originated?
This Earthcache is located at an overlook just south of Cannon Beach. This location provides a panoramic view of Oregon's coastline, including a great view of Haystack Rock, the third-tallest intertidal (able to be reached by land) structure in the world. You can also see other smaller sea stacks that line the coast from this area, including the two that accompany Haystack Rock. Sven is the larger one and Lori is the shorter one. Enjoy the views and the water!
Haystack Rock is considered by geologists to be a monolith. In geological terms, a monolith refers to a massive stone or piece of rock that stands, for the most part, isolated from any other land feature. These land features, because large and isolated, suffer from erosion and weathering.
The majority of monoliths are composed of hard and solid metamorphic or igneous rock. Haystack rock is made of basalt. Basalt is a type of extrusive volcanic rock formed when magma reached the surface and cooled.
Haystack rock was formed somewhere between 5 and 23 million years ago when a massive lava flow came through the area from the Grand Ronde Mountains. The lava seared its way over forests and hills, sometimes pooling up into large masses of molten rock. It covered nearly 300 miles before reaching the ocean. It was this lava flow that created many of the natural geological features found along the coast of Oregon, including Tillamook Head, Arch Cape, and Saddle Mountain. The same lava flow that created Haystack Rock is also responsible for carving out the Columbia River Gorge.
At one point in time, Haystack Rock was joined to the coastline; however, several years of erosion have separated the two.
NOT A LOGGING REQUIREMENT: Feel free to post pictures of your group at the area or the area itself - I love looking at the pictures.
Additional Hints
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