NWG #6 Lily Fields Virtual Cache
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(virtual)
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This virtual cache will let you observe superb fossil sea lilies and worm trails.
Two locations near Solvik Camping are to be visited in order to log this cache. The area is in a protected nature reserve. There is no fossil collecting allowed here, and absolutely no hammers allowed. Please leave the fossils alone for others to enjoy them. In order to show other geocachers these fascinating exposures, we have chosen a virtual cache. It is our first one…so we hope it works out okay.
This cache must be visited in the daylight in order to find the necessary information. Also, wear good footwear. The rocks can be slippery! Parking can be found at N59° 51.931 E010° 45.216. You may want to combine your trip with a visit to the Brachiopod Beach cache!
The rocks here at Solvik record quite a pleasant tropical water area about 500 million years ago. The rocks are full of intact crinoid stems or “Sea Lily” stems and other types of fossils. Usually, crionoids are found in small “coin-like” pieces having been shattered by storms or currents. At Solvik, the crinoids were “buried alive” and therefore are found in larger segments (like stacked coins). Crionoids were creatures related to starfish, and not plants. Unfortunately, the top of the crinoids are missing from these fossils...probably broke off while getting burried. Cephalopod fossils may also be found. They look like knife blade shaped, segmented, fossils. They were the external shell to a squid-like organism.
At the first site: N59° 52.008 E010° 45.118
On the small cliff face you can see what crinoid stems look like on their ends…about like small kroners with a hollow middle. At this site you can see a top surface that sort of looks like it has been cracked (see photo)…these are actually ancient worm trails (this type of fossil is called: ichnofossil or trace fossil). Worms sort of burrow through the mud ingesting the mud...and then refilling behind them by....uhm, well you can just imagine. Boy, the worm or worms sure were busy foraging for food!!
Question 1: At these site there are two man-made things (beside trash). What do you think they are and what are they made of?
At the second site: N59° 51.995 E010° 45.162
(NB! coordinated edited 2.11.04 with help of PPJ) Here you can see some fossils on the rock face that at first look like scratches. These are crinoid stems.
Question 2: About how long are these and what is their general shape?
Please e-mail us your answers and log at the same time (English or Norsk). That way you can log even if we are away from our e-mail for a weekend or vacation. We will get back to you if there are any doubts to the validity of your log.
God tur!
Additional Hints
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