Our second earthcache - located near to where we got married and a favourite spot of ours while here.
The geology of Cyprus was massively influenced by the collision of the Euro-Asian and African tectonic plates, which happened about 80 million years ago. When the complex of Troodos constituted an island during the Lower Miocene era 25 million years ago, the Mesaoria plain, to the north and the Pentadactylos or Kyrenia range, further north, remained under the sea. Later to the end of Miocene era, Pentadactylos begun rising above the sea, while the Mesaoria plain remained under the sea to be shown above the sea much later in Pleistocene era. Coastline as the latest formation took the last stage in geologic modification.
The rocks in general, sedimentary or metamorphic, hard, soft, or fractured, varied in colour and quality, have got a significant meaning in formation of the landscape of Cyprus. Hand in hand with the rocks, different types of soil contribute to the colourful scenery of the country. At present Cyprus can be topographically sub-divided into five morphological regions:
a) Pentadactylos or Kyrenia range
b) The ophiolite massif of Troodos
c) The hills around the massif of Troodos and south of the Kyrenia range
d) Mesaoria Central plain
e) Coastal plains
The region that we are looking at and can see an example of is the Coastal Plain - These are the elevated beaches that appear almost around the whole Cyprus. At the location you will visit you will see an example of how layers of rock were formed through several depositions – (another example can be seen as forming part of the landscape inland and in particular at a place called Mamonia near Paphos)
Following the Upper Miocene period (11 to 5 million years ago) the Mediterranean Sea had become enclosed and detached from the Atlantic ocean – this caused an evaporation of the waters in the Mediterranean Sea – with the reconnection of the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic (the opening of the Gibraltar Strait) that occurred during the Pliocene period (5 million to 2.5 million years ago) a new cycle of sedimentation began – siltstones, calcarenites and marls being the deposits. Similar deposits with more layers occur in the following millions of years resulting in the distinctive layered effect easily seen at the location of the Sea Caves. Further distinctive features here have been caused by the action of the sea on the elevated beach. At the location where I have taken you, as well as the many layers that can be seen in the exposed rock, you can see a phenomenon formed by waves acting on weak parts of weathered rock in the base of a sea cliff – this creates a split or hollow opening and thus forms sea caves – also known as a marine cave or sea chasm.
(the above information has been researched and written by myself using wikipedia.org and cyprusgeology.org)
This area is actually known locally as Sea Caves and is a favourite area for visitors as it can be reached by car. We loved this spot when we were here and some of our wedding photos were taken here. (there is a very good place to grab a drink while here also)
** Please note :- nearby is a shipwreck, the Edro III, an 83 meter long, 2,517 ton freighter ran which aground in stormy weather on 8 December 2011. This blot on the landscape is not part of this Earthcache and we request that photos of this rusting heap of metal or comments are not added to your logs (Any such photos will be deleted) **
Also we have recently discovered that near the spot where we took our wedding photos this has now become a venue for weddings – ceremonies with all the trimmings take place here and we like to think that we may have had a little part to play in that.
In order to claim this cache you are required to take a photo and answer 2 questions :-
** In order to log this as a 'found' you must FIRST send the answers to the CO - once you have done this you can then log the find online - please add the photo to the log, don't send it to us with your answers - any issues with the answers will be managed after. (Please note:- as some have advised me later, they sent the answers but it is apparent the answers did not get processed. The CO can not check this if he hasn't recieved anything - so it is down to you to check and confirm that the answers have been sent - you can check if your message has gone as it will appear in the message list - you can also check if you sent this via email as you will also receive an email (if you tick the box) **
The Tasks........
Location 1 - from the given co-ordinates take a picture with you or your GPS and the sea caves (note.. do not include the pillars (Q2) or the shipwreck, and just a photo of the area does not prove you were there)
Location 2 - Go to N34 52.406 E032 20.482 – Here you will see two pillars rising out of the sea
Now for the questions :-
1) Calcarenite is one of the substances which makes up the characteristics of this rock formation – but what is Calcarenite?
2) At the second waypoint near the bar – when you look out you will see 2 pillars, these show the various layers as described in the earlier text - please tell me how many layers you can see in each of the two pillars ? (this requires two numbers) - DO NOT post a photo of these pillars, hopefully the reason is obvious (any such photos added to logs will be deleted)
DO NOT LOG A 'FOUND IT' BEFORE YOU HAVE EMAILED THE ANSWERS, we are constantly chasing people up - if you log a found and haven't sent the answers you may find your log deleted until you do send the answers.