The Law
When you visit Dundee, you can't fail to miss the Law rising up over the skyline. But what is the Law exactly? Is it a hill? Well no as it turns out, thus making the term "Law hill" inaccurate. The Law is actually the plug of a long extinct volcano. That's right, volcanoes in Dundee! During the Devonian Period (approximately 400 million years ago) the area that became Dundee was rife with volcanic activity.
The Law was formed by the several processes; firstly, the magma within the volcano that was here hardened within the vent of the volcano. This process formed the plug. This plug was then eroded over the course of hundreds of millions of years, most dramatically during the Ice Age approximately 2.6 million years ago. Massive ice sheets flowed from the West and eroded the solidified magma of the plug. It did not however erode away the plug entirely as the rock was too resistant, this can be called a 'crag' As the ice progressed it deposited softer glacial debris behind the crag. This material then lies behind the crag and is called a 'tail'.
The Law is but one of several iconic volcanic plugs in Scotland. Both Arthur's Seat and Castle Rock in Edinburgh to the south are plugs, as is Dundee's own Balgay Hill which lies just to the west of the Law.
Since the ice retreated 15,000 years ago, the surface of the Law has become covered in soil, plant life and laterally human settlement. The Law today has many homes as well as the famous war memorial at the summit.
The EarthCache
So now you have a wee bit of an idea about the Law. However we can only tell you so much. To learn some more you need to ascend the Law itself. You can either drive to the summit (don't worry we won't judge) or walk. Once there you will find some information plaques that will tell you some more about the geology and the history of the Law. To log this EarthCache you need to find the answers to the following questions and then send them to us using the "message the owner" feature on the page. Remember if you have internet to log the cache, then you have the internet to email us the answers.
So here are the questions to solve this EarthCache;
1. Which side(s) of the Law is the "tail"? Give reasons for your answer.
2. There is another volcanic plug in Dundee to the west of the Law. What is it called?
3. (Optional) Take some photos of yourself and/or your GPS at the summit. If it's a good day the views are amazing!
Once you have sent us your answers, you may log your find at the EarthCache. Please send your answers before logging, otherwise we may remove your log. If there are any issues with your answers, we'll contact you.
We hope you have a fun and interesting at this beautiful spot! Happy Caching!