Private Property
See Lacey or Lynda Cochart at N8824 Spruce Road
or call (920) 837-7592
for permission before entering this site.
Formation
Eskers are formed as a result of glacial meltwater running through, on, or under an ice sheet. They are generally narrow, steep sided ridges that wind their way across the landscape. Subglacial Eskers form when flowing meltwater erodes the softer overlying ice instead of the harder underlying bedrock, creating a tunnel at the base of the glacier. Sediments carried by meltwater are deposited within the tunnel and the bed grows upward. Sediments within this bed can vary in size from fine grained sands to gigantic boulders. Englacial Eskers form when channels carved within the ice fill with sediment and are lowered to bedrock levels once glacial melt off and retreat occurs. Supraglacial Eskers form when debris resting on top of the glaciers surface is deposited to bedrock level after glacial retreat. The resulting depositional ridges generally follow the original glacial meltwater flow. These landforms, because of extensive quarrying for their abundance of sand and gravel, have been driven to the brink of geologic extinction.
Gaining Permission
At the listed coordinates you will find a gravel pit/quarry carved into the side of the Esker. This gravel pit is private property and permission to enter must be obtained from the owner before entering. To obtain entry permission go to the first house South of the coordinates at N8824 Spruce Road or call Lacey or Lynda Cochart (the landowners) at (920) 837-7592. They have already agreed to allow people to enter the pit but would appreciate that you stop and notify them before entering because of liability reasons. Please park on the road and not in the pit itself. I highly recommend that you take the time to get permission and get a close up look at this geologic wonder.
Email your answers to the questions, to me, using the link in my profile only. If your answers are not recieved by me, your log will be deleted. Photos are accepted and appreciated as long as the answers are not pictured. You do not have to wait for confirmation from me before logging this cache as completed. Most of all……learn……and enjoy the view.
At the coordinates you will be standing at a section of the Esker where the erosional deposits are all basically the same size.
1. Describe the color and size of the deposits found here.
2. What is the major cause of erosion occurring at this spot? .
3. Is stratification (depositional layering) seen here?
Now move East another 50 feet. You will now be standing at a section of the Esker where the erosional deposits are “NOT” all basically the same size.
4. Describe the color and size of the deposits found here.
5. What is the major cause of erosion occurring at this spot?
6. Is stratification (depositional layering) seen here?
7. Using your GPS or compass, what is the general direction in which this Esker runs?