"When our soils are gone, we too, must go unless we find some way to feed on raw rock."
- Thomas C. Chamberlain -
Erosion
Welcome to Summit County MetroParks. Permission has been graciously granted by our fine park system for this cache. As a reminder - Stay on the trails, observe the dawn to dusk rules and if you find a piece of trash on the ground pick it up and dispose of it properly. There is a trash container at the parking lot. Let's keep it clean for everyone.
As our park system grows so do the improvements. This observation deck is one of those improvements.
Ohio was covered by a shallow ocean about 360 million years ago. The north eastern part of Ohio was the deepest part. The features under the ocean surface are very much like you would see on dry land. There were mountains, hills, valleys and steep drop offs. Let's pretend for a moment that the Cuyahoga river that you see below is actually an ocean current. As the current (river of cooler or warmer water) follows a valley and makes a turn the water is traveling much faster on the outer edge than on the inner edge. It is in these inner edge areas of much slower flow that small particles of sand are dropped. Over eons this pocket fills up creating a sand deposit. As the pressure from the weight of the sand increases it packs these particles into bedrock such as sandstone and shale.
As much time passed the oceans receded leaving behind unique features on the face of the land. One of these features is a hill made out of sand. That in itself really wasn't unique until the glacier of about 10,000-12,000 years ago showed up. As it began to melt the water followed the path of least resistance and eventually formed streams and rivers. The Cuyahoga River Valley was formed as the river made its way back north to Lake Erie. As much time passed the river cut into this hillside and created a near vertical cliff made out of sand. because sand is porous and water can get around the particles the amount of erosion is very rapid.
The word "Erosion" is derived from the Latin "erosio" , meaning "to gnaw away". In general terms soil erosion implies the physical removal of topsoil by various agents including rain, water flowing over and through the soil profile, wind, ice or gravitational pull.
Erosion is a natural geological process in which the breakdown of rocks under sea and on land occurs due to natural forces. Erosion is a complex and highly important natural phenomenon.
It is due to erosion that the earth has shaped itself over the years. Not only is this phenomenon responsible for the formation of mountains, valleys and canyons, it has also played a part in determining the course of the human civilization. Easter Island is an example of this.
Erosion can be caused due to various natural components. Based on their cause there are the following types of erosion:
- Erosion due to water
- Erosion due to wind
- Erosion due to gravity
- Erosion due to soil
- Erosion due to glaciers
WATER EROSION - from rain or another source exposes water-sensitive areas which can decay, or the force of very hard droplets which can also erode hard sedimentary surfaces. As water builds up run off picks up soil exposing roots and rock underneath which can lead to destabilization.
WIND EROSION - Excessive amounts of of wind can cause top soil or sand to be blown away and expose other soils and rock underneath.
GRAVITY EROSION - Mass movement of soil occurs on steep slopes under the influence of gravity. The process involves the transfer of slope forming materials from higher grounds due to its own weight.
SOIL EROSION - A result of gravity pushing down on soil that may rest on hills, as well as water, wind and glacial melting, which can cause soil to wash away and tree roots to be exposed.
EROSION DUE to GLACIERS - Snow and ice will melt causing water to run down hills and mountains - this water has the tendency to cause stream-ways and ditches.
To claim credit for this Earthcache email me the answers to the following questions within 5 days of your visit or your log, per EarthCache policy, must be deleted. DO NOT post your answers in your log.
- While standing at the posted coordinates on the observation overlook, what type or types of major erosion do you see?
- What proof of the type or types of the erosion do you see?
- Do you think that this type or types of erosion at this location can be stopped?
Special note: If you go early in the morning the Swallows, that live on the cliff, put on a great show.
|
Congratulations to Dame Deco for the First To Find!
|