This Earth Geocache will require you to email the answers to the questions below. In order to receive the code for your passport use the link below to answer a few questions after visiting the geocache. These questions are different then the ones below, so you may want to review them before visiting the cache. After submitting the form an email will be sent giving you the code to record in your Spring Grove GeoTour passport. If possible, please also include a picture of yourself in front of the posted coordinates, however this is not required.
1) While walking along the creek, look to the left and you will notice a large pile of rocks. Iron ore mining involves moving tremendous amounts of ore and waste. The waste comes in two forms, non-ore bedrock in the mine and unwanted minerals which are an inherent part of the ore rock itself. Knowing the time period, what equipment do you believe was available to the miners to aid in the removal and separation of the iron ore?
2) Taking into account the type of rock observed near the mine entrances, which type of rock does most of the world's important iron ore resources occur in?
3) These iron formations are known as banded iron formations which are almost exclusively of Precambrian age making them greater than 600 million years old. At that time Earth's oceans contained abundant dissolved iron and almost no dissolved oxygen. The iron ore deposits began forming when the first organisms capable of photosynthesis began releasing oxygen into the waters. This oxygen immediately combined with the abundant dissolved iron to produce large deposits on the ocean floor. In your opinion what caused the different bands to occur?
Earth Cache Questionnaire Page
P. Joseph Raab County Park was donated to the county of York in 1993 by Modern Landfill and named in honor of York County Parks “founding father,” P. Joseph Raab. The 73 acre park is located in North Codorus Township. The York Iron Co. mines located within P. Joseph Raab County Park are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
From 1850’s to the 1890’s, the 73 acres of land known as the York Iron Co. Mine site, was one of 170 iron ore mines operating in York County. The mines were part of an iron ore boom in the 1800's that produced some of the best iron ore, (called "Codorus Ore,") in the area. The mine was believed to have stopped operations in the 1890’s. The land was later used for agriculture. Today the mines are closed to the public.
The former iron ore mines are home to four species of bats that hibernate in the same environment during the winter. Bat doors were constructed in cooperation with the Pa. Game Commission and Wildlife Conservation Fund to protect them during hibernation.
Park Brochure
This is a Earth geocache, however, it is also part of the 2015 (Phase III) Spring Grove GeoTour (SGGT), a project designed to promote the many businesses and other places of interest in the Spring Grove Area. The SGGT utilizes the growing interest in geocaching to assist both residents and visitors to the area in learning more about the unique attractions.
Caches placed in 2013 (Phase I) are delineated by SGGT. Originally 32 caches were placed and 25 were required to redeem the coin. These caches and coins are still available!
Caches placed in 2014 (Phase II) are delineated by SGGT14. Beginning with this year was a multiyear coin that will require cachers to complete each new phase to complete the multiyear coin. Originally 16 caches were placed and 13 were required to redeem the coin. These caches and coins are still available!
This cache contains a unique code which you write down in your SGGT Passport to verify that you found it. Passports are free and can be obtained at the Borough of Spring Grove Municipal Office located at 1 Campus Avenue, Spring Grove, PA 17362, Monday thru Friday 8:00 – 4:30 or at the Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, PA 17362, Monday 12:00 – 8:00, Tuesday and Wednesday 9:00 – 8:00, Thursday 12:00 – 8:00, Friday and Saturday 9:00 – 2:00. Passports are also available on the website for download.
Download the Spring Grove GeoTour Passport
When you have found a minimum of thirteen 2015 SGGT caches, you will be eligible to have your SGGT passport validated and receive the second “piece” of a commemorative SGGT geocoin. Coin redemption will begin at the event in September. You must have your official SGGT passport with you when you find this cache in order to write the code in it. Click on the link below to visit the SGGT website for more details. Spring Grove GeoTour Website
This cache has been placed with permission by the owner of the property. As with all Spring Grove GeoTour caches, please do not attempt to locate the cache after dusk and as always be respectful.
Please notify us immediately through geocaching.com if you have any problems!