Are you Geoaware?
How many times have you gone to look for a “normal” cache where the owner has chosen a particularly nice and elevated spot that has a spectacular view? Or you’ve just found a cache on the edge of a cliff and have an equally breathtaking view of the ocean and coastline? Quite a few times I’ll bet!
However, how many of you have ever sat down and wondered exactly why that spot affords such peace of mind and a spectacular view? This is where the Geoaware part comes in. Inevitably some geological process is responsible for this conjugation of factors but how many of you can actually identify it?
This cache tests your ability to observe and be Geoaware of your surroundings and it takes you to a famous beach on the “Linha de Cascais”: Carcavelos; a thousand metres of fine sand that is a magnet for sun seekers during the summer months as well as a surfers pole all year round.
Setting the geological scene I’ll tell you that you are walking on Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian – 99.6 to 93.5 M.a.) limestones that strike ENE that dip very gently to the SE and are overlain by Miocene (23 to 5 M.a.) argillites further to the NE. Therefore, rocks considered mere infants in terms of geological time.
Logging a “FOUND” in this cache requires you, as already stated, to be Geoaware of your surroundings. At GZ you’ll notice bands of outcropping limestone. Although these are now “permanent” features of this landscape, I can tell you that two years ago they weren’t here. Locally, something has changed that allows you to now view these outcrops.
Therefore:
- How many bands of outcrops can you identify?
- What are their dip and strike? (see here to find out more about these concepts).
- Are the outcrops linear, curvilinear or jagged and interrupted?
- Why are these outcrops now visible?
- In answering question 4 do you think that they outcrop because of natural processes or because “Man” has leant a helping hand? – Justify!
- Do not post photos of GZ that reveal any or part of the answers.
Take your time to be Geoaware and enjoy the place. Remember that in this lunatic
asylum of the solar system time is a great teacher.
A expressão “Geoaware” pode significar estar atento ao (geo)ambiente. Esta EC vai testar a vossa percepção do meio (geo)ambiente na Praia de Carcavelos. Esta praia, pólo de banhistas no verão e surfistas o ano inteiro, “cresceu” uns afloramentos desde há dois anos para cá.
As coordenadas da cache dão nesses afloramentos e para validarem um found nesta cache vão ter que ser observadores e responder a:
- Quantas bandas de afloramentos afloram no local?
- Qual a sua inclinação e pendor? (relembrar estes conceitos aqui).
- Que forma têm os afloramentos? São lineares, curvos ou interrompidos?
- Porque estão estes afloramentos agora visíveis?
- O seu aflorar deve-se a razões naturais ou teve o Homem uma mãozinha nisto? Justifica.
- Não colocar fotografias do GZ que dêem as respostas.
Note: Platinum EarthCache level "ribbon" courtesy of Play mobil - Thank you.
The most exciting way to learn about the Earth and its processes is to get into the outdoors and experience it first-hand. Visiting an Earthcache is a great outdoor activity the whole family can enjoy. An Earthcache is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth. Earthcaches include a set of educational notes and the details about where to find the location (latitude and longitude). Visitors to Earthcaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage the resources and how scientists gather evidence to learn about the Earth. To find out more click HERE.
Note: Sedimentation is a dynamic process and as a result, the outcrops that you need to see to answer the questions might be unavailable during autum/winter.
Nota: O processo de sedimentação é dinâmico e os afloramentos para poderem responder às perguntas podem não estar visíveis durante alguns dos meses de outono/inverno.