Veins EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
In geology, a vein is a distinct sheetlike body of crystallized
minerals within a rock. Veins form when mineral constituents
carried by an aqueous solution within the rock mass are deposited
through precipitation. The hydraulic flow involved is usually due
to hydrothermal circulation.
Veins are classically thought of as being the result of growth of
crystals on the walls of planar fractures in rocks, with the
crystal growth occurring normal to the walls of the cavity, and the
crystal protruding into open space. This certainly is the method
for the formation of some veins. However, it is rare in geology for
significant open space to remain open in large volumes of rock,
especially several kilometers below the surface. Thus, there are
two main mechanisms considered likely for the formation of veins:
open-space filling and crack-seal growth.
Veins are of prime importance to mineral deposits, because they are
the source of mineralisation either in or proximal to the veins.
Typical examples include gold lodes, as well as skarn
mineralisation. Hydrofracture breccias are classic targets for ore
exploration as there is plenty of fluid flow and open space to
deposit ore minerals.
Ores related to hydrothermal mineralisation which are associated
with vein material may be composed of vein material and/or the rock
in which the vein is hosted.
To Log this cache:
The coordinates given for this cache will place you at the
beginning of a very prominent Vein Formation. Please provide me
with the following information:
1) What is the width of the Vein?
2) Walk the complete length of the vein along the rock surface and
using your GPS provide me with the coordinates at end of the
vein.
3) What material is most prominent in the vein?
4) Using your GPS please provide me with the elevation of the
highest point of the vein
This cache was developed by a:
Placement approved by the Mojave
National Preserve
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)