The Caves' Fault EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
On the way to the Timpanogos Caves, stop and take a look at this
fault line!
A fault is a break in the earth's crust along which blocks of rock
slip past one another. If you look closely between the two blocks
of rock you will see that the fault has ground the rock into sand.
Geologists call this fault breccia. Faults like this are the paths
that water followed to create the caves. Further up the trail you
will see additional evidence of faulting.
If you look east towards the mouth of the canyon to the spot where
the paved road curves you will see the approximate location of the
Wasatch fault line. At 240 miles long, this is one of the longest
and most active fault zones in the world. Movement and earthquakes
along the Wasatch fault system have been occurring for at least 15
million years. Geologists, estimate the last large earthquake to
occur in this part of the Wasatch fault zone happened bettween 400
and 600 years ago. The vertical fault uplifts the mountains of the
Wasatch Range while at the same time down droping the valley to the
west. This action over time has been largely responsible for
creating the Wasatch mountains, which host the Timpanogos Cave
system. These mountains are still rising today. Most of Utah's
population centers are located within a few miles of the fault
zone.
Note: There is a $3 fee to enter American Fork canyon in
order to get to the trail that will lead you to this EarthCache.
Also, remember that this cache is at a National Monument. Please do
not take anything from this site or leave anything. Take care in
preserving this wonderful place for others to discover!
To log this cache hike to this location and answer these
questions:
- How much further is it to the Cave entrance from here? There is a
marker close by that tells you how far you've hiked (1/4, 1/2,
3/4).
- What type of rock is this tunnel made of? (It's on the sign)
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)