Frog Rock EarthCache
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A glacial erratic, as defined by Wikipedia, is a piece of rock that deviates from the size and type of rock native to the area in which it rests; the name "erratic" is based on the errant location of these boulders. These rocks were carried to their current locations by glacial ice, often over hundreds of kilometers. Erratics can range in size from pebbles to large boulders.
A flood borne erratic, also defined by Wikipeida, is when glacial ice is "rafted" by a flood such as that created when the ice dam broke during the Missoula floods, the erratics were deposited where the ice finally released its debris load.
Geologists identify erratics by studying the rocks surrounding the position of the erratic and the composition of the erratic itself. Erratics were once considered evidence of a massive flood approximately 10,000 years ago, similar to the legendary floods described in the texts of ancient civilizations throughout the world.
Ancient legends of an epic flood come from many cultures, but in the 19th century, many scientists came to favor erratics as evidence for the end of the ice age 10,000 years ago, rather than a flood. Geologists have suggested that landslides or rock falls initially dropped the rocks on top of glacial ice. The glaciers continued to move, carrying the rocks with them. When the ice melted, the erratics were left in their present locations.
The now famous Frog Rock has a romantic and heartwarming history. Located at the intersection of Phelps & Hidden Cove roads, Frog Rock was created by two Bainbridge High School sweethearts on "Paint Night", back in about 1971. Paint Night is an old tradition for graduating seniors, on Bainbridge Island. They go out and paint their first names and graduation year on the roads. Even back in 1971, the tradition was frowned upon, because motorists would drive over the wet paint, and the paint would slop up off their tires onto their cars. So, creating Frog Rock was an extraordinarily creative way (and a responsible way) to participate in Paint Night, without painting the roads. Painting the roads was not just frowned upon; it was then, and is now, illegal. The best part of this story is that, a few years later, the young couple got married and they've been together all these years.
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1. It is commonly accepted that erratics were dropped from glaciers as they retreated, but that wasn't always the case. Using your Jedi earthcaching observation skills, decide if Frog Rock was deposited via glacier or flood.
2. List two (or more) scientific reasons to support your theory.
Although not required, a picture of you and/or your group in front of Frog Rock would be appreciated. Your feet need not leave the pavement, but make sure and smile for the camera. And a big THANKS to TheBlueFox for the tip about the Frog Rock Letterbox.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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