Dikes - Dykes - Los Diques
We really wanted to place a geocache on La Gomera, but as we are not so sure if we can maintain it, we decided to place an EarthCache on this beautiful and fascinating volcanic island.
When we did the traditional cache "Gomera's Hidden Treasures: Mirador de Hermigua", we passed the Mirador de "El Bailadero". There you have a great view on Los Roques, and also some outstanding dikes can be seen (if there are not too many clouds ;) ). As we never saw dikes like these before, we wanted to promote them to interested geocachers.
La Gomera is about 12 millionen years old and thus one of the older canary islands. One can still recognize the volcanic origin of the island. The Laurel Forest and the former volcanic plugs are part of the National Park Garajonay which is UNESCO world heritage of nature. Some of these volcanic plugs (Los Roques) can be seen from this viewpoint, just like the dikes.
The dikes are emission vents or cracks of magma which solified as the magma cooled down. They stand out as cracks or vents in linear fractures. Due to erosion, they now appear like walls here, cutting off the previous formations. More information on different types of dikes can be found here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dike_(geology) as well as at the cache location.
For more information on the geology of La Gomera we recommend to visit the centre "Juego de Bolas" which also provides information on the history and culture of the island. There is a botanical garden as well.
Go to N 28° 07.385 W 17° 12.582. You can park nearby just next to the road (only space for one or two cars, presumably).
To log this EarthCache, please answer the following questions.
Have fun!
- What is the local name of the dikes and what is the origin of the word?
- Different types of dikes are described on the sign. Which one is lighter than the rock it emerges from, which type is of darker tone?
- Besides the dikes, rock spurs or needles can be seen from this Mirador. Which of the rock formations is larger?
Please send the answers to the questions to dikes.gomera@googlemail.com or via the profile contact of -Anka-. You don't have to wait for our reply before logging your visit, but please make sure you send the answers before logging! Logs without answers sent to us we be deleted after a while (we will try to contact you first in case any mails ended in spam filters).
Additional logging request: We highly appreciate loggs with a photo of you and/or your GPS with Los Roques (and the dikes, which will most probably not be seen on the picture) in the background. This is not mandatory!!! For us these pictures at EarthCache locations are a wonderful holiday souvenir. We are very curious how the weather was during your stay. :)
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