Submit your answers by E-Mail before logging your find.
Logs submitted without emailing an answer will be Deleted.
If you are doing this earth cache as a group, each person logging a find must submit their own answers to each earth cache question.
Glacial Striations and Sediment Deposits.
Welcome to the Musquash Estuary.
This earthcache is situated on Nature Conservancy of Canada land along the Musquash Estuary which is the last fully functioning estuary (meaning where the sea meets a river) in the Bay of Fundy. The Nature Conservancy of Canada is a national non-profit land conservation organization, and they ask that you enjoy the nature reserve but be respectful of its protected status. Further information on the Musquash Estuary and maps of the trails can be found on the Nature Conservancy of Canada website at www.natureconservancy.ca
There is no cache container to be found. Instead, there is an Earth Science Lesson and interesting geological features of our landscape. To log this earthcache as found you are required to email me through my profile email address the answers to the following questions. Begin your email with the name of the Earthcache and the number in your group.
1. Given the topography of the area what compass direction did the glacier flow to create the striations?
2. Stand on the bedrock and face so you can see the hydro towers. Behind you please find exposed glacial sediment deposited by the glacier. Is the deposited material glacial till or an outwash deposit? Please explain your conclusion.
3. Post a picture in your log with a personal item or hand in picture to prove you were there.
[REQUIRED] In accordance with the updated guidelines from Geocaching Headquarters published in June 2019, photos are now an acceptable logging requirement and WILL BE REQUIRED TO LOG THIS CACHE. Please provide a photo of yourself or a personal item in the picture to prove you visited the site.
Earth Science Lesson
When you arrive at the coordinates for this earthcache you will be standing on bedrock with glacial striations and in the vicinity of glacial sediment as a result of the ability of glaciers to erode soil and rock, their ability to transport sediment, and deposit sediment. Glaciers have played an important role in shaping our landscape. Most glaciers flow along topographic gradients because of weight and gravity. As loose soil and rock became frozen in the base of the glacier and the glacier began to flow the glacier acted like a sheet of sandpaper and scoured the bedrock below the base of the glacier. These scours or scratches are referred to as glacial striations. Geologists use these striations to determine the direction in which the glacier flowed. Knowing the direction of flow enables the geologists to better understand the superficial geology of an area.
When the glacier receded and/or melted, it released sediment accumulated in and on the ice. Glacial sediments are collectively known as drift. Material directly deposited by the glacier is known as glacial till. Whereas material deposited by the melted ice water flow is known as outwash deposits.
Glacial till deposited directly from the glacier tends to be un-stratified. Which means it is difficult to see layers in the deposit. The material is unsorted as the ice melted and deposited material regardless of size. Glacial till may contain clay, a mixture of clays, sand, gravel, and boulders.
Outwash deposits transported by melt water tend to be stratified. This means the sediments were deposited in layers which can be identified. The material in outwash deposits tend to be sorted by size and the outwash deposits contain more sand and gravel.
The area near the collapse of the old road culvert is a nice place for a picnic and to observe the activities of the nearby marsh.
Reminder – The responsibility for your safety and those accompanying you lies with you!