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The Chasm is located in the Darran Mountains, an easy short walk (approx 15 minutes return) from the Milford Sound road. There is a large and safe parking area available off the road, and most bus tours will stop here briefly on the way to Milford Sound.
The Chasm provides a very good illustration of the power of water over time, as the Cleddau River plunges through spectacular erosional rock formations.
There is no need to cross any safety barriers or railings for this earthcache - all observations and answers are to be obtained from the safety of the walkway.
Geology
The Chasm is a cascading waterfall feature located where the Cleddau river passes from hard rock through softer bedrock, near the Milford Sound road.
The form of the Cleddau changes dramatically as it passes from hard to soft rock. Cutting through the softer bedrock, the river has created a series of spectacular waterfalls.
The force of the water and rocks being carried in the current, swirling and grinding the softer rock, have over thousands of years created the sculpted rocks and carved out the basins and holes you can see in The Chasm.
The erosion process creating the basins and holes need only start with the slightest turbulence in the flow creating more erosional pressure in one spot. As the indentation grows, particularly in the softer regions of the rock, the forces concentrate and amplify, resulting in the holes and basins visible from the published coordinates.
This Earthcache
In order to log this earthcache, please answer the following questions (answers to be emailed to the cache owner, and NOT posted in your online log):
1. Estimate the size of the holes created by the softer rock being carved out.
2. Describe the texture of the eroded rock and any patterns or marks on the sculpted surfaces.
3. From the information panel, what is the type of rock here, and how did it get its speckled appearance?
Please note that "I didn't see a sign" is not an acceptable answer.
Please also take a photo near the published coordinates including your GPS (if you can) and part of The Chasm in the background. This should be uploaded with your log online.
You can log this cache straight away after you have emailed your answers to the cache owner, no need to wait for confirmation. Please include the name of this earthcache in the email - you'd be surprised how many people forget. Also, when contacting us with answers, if you want a reply, please include your email address. Any problems with your answers we'll be in touch.
Happy earthcaching!
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