SKYLINE DRIVE
There are countless wonders to behold along your journey.
Terrain 1.0-1.5 ..... All are at overlooks. ..... Most are handicap accessible.
Bring BINOCULARS if you are handicapped and wish to remain in your vehicle.
MAP https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/upload/whole_park.pdf
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. What is the difference between basalts and metabasalts?
2. MESSAGE …. What do you see that indicates this was once a lava flow?
3. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at or near the posted coords. This picture is your log signature verifying that you were at the earthcache.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU Robert L. Badger for permission to use your book for this earthcache.
THANK YOU Tim Taglauer and Sally Hurlbert for permission to place this earthcache along Skyline Drive.
ROCK TYPES (See Rock Sentinels GC1FKJV for information on the Rock Cycle)
-SEDIMENTARY ROCKS (formed by weathering)
Sedimentary rocks form from small weathered particles of other rocks or the weathered shells of sea animals. Wind and rain beating on the faces of exposed rock wear off particles that are blown or washed to a new location. When sea creatures die, the shells settle on the bottom of the ocean. As the sediments pile up, they press together to form sedimentary rock.
-IGNEOUS ROCKS (formed from fiery molten magma)
Igneous rocks are formed from magma, the molten form of the earth’s mantle layer. Igneous rocks can form above ground as lava spewing from volcanoes. Igneous rocks can also form below the surface. Pockets of magma get stuck in layers of the earth. As they get closer and closer to the surface, the magma slowly cools.
-METAMORPHIC ROCKS (formed under intense heat and pressure)
Metamorphic rocks form under intense heat and pressure. Metamorphic rocks start out as igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks or other types of metamorphic rocks. Through heat and/or pressure, the rocks change characteristics such as sheen, tightness of grain and hardness.
METABASALTS
You will be observing two metabasaltic flows with a thin layer of sedimentary rock between them. The lava flows hardened into basalt (Igneous Rock). Millions of years later, the basalts were changed through heat and pressure during the event that formed the Appalachian mountains. Since they were changed, they are now called metabasalts (Metamorphic Rock).
LAVA FLOWS
Lava flows are streams of molten rock that erupt from an opening on the surface called a vent. Lava either flows (nonexplosive) or erupts into lava fountains (explosive). "Within the metabasalt are some rusty, weathered cavities, up to an inch long, that probably represent vesicles where gases escaped from the top of the flow after eruption."
http://study.com/academy/lesson/lava-flow-definition-types.html http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/02/17/volcanos_can_erupt_quickly/
RESOURCES
Geology Along Skyline Drive by Robert L. Badger 2012 edition
Graphics via Internet Public Domain since no contact info available