Fort Payne Formation EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
To log this earthcache find, you must fulfill
the following requirements:
- In your log entry, upload a picture of
yourself and your GPSr in the vicinity of the posted
coordinates with the white CHERT sign in the background. See the
Qualifying Photo Background photo....... 6/24/10 Several cachers
have noted that the mentioned sign is gone. However, there are
smaller signs on the property and a gate in front of the property
that can prove that you are at the right chert pit. Don't be a goob
and take the picture at the wrong chert. I'm pretty cool about this
stuff... Just play the game like everyone before you has thus far.
Thank you!!! Picture and answers that make relative sense. You get
a smiley and everybody wins!!! WOO HOO!!! here.
- Email to me, via the profile link above,
the answers to the following questions:
- What region of the United States is this
geologic formation located?
- What is the geological age in which the
Fort Payne Formation was created?
- When did Eugene Allen Smith serve as the
Alabama State Geologist?
Any claimed finds without proper documentation within 48 hours will
be deleted without notice.
What is Fort Payne Chert?
Eugene Allen Smith, a state Geologist of Alabama named the Fort
Payne Formation, also known as Fort Payne Chert because of the
outcrops located in Fort Payne, Alabama. The Fort Payne Formation
is a geologic formation, which is formed from Mississippian cherty
limestone. The formation lies between Chattanooga Shale and St.
Louis Limestone.
What purpose does the formation play in the
environment?
The Fort Payne Chert acts as a recharger for rainfall. A recharger
is the area in which rainfall soaks into the ground. The chert
being fractured, porous and permeable acts as a good source for the
storage of ground water. The slow process of the water moving
through the layers of soil and rock purifies it. Because the chert
has been intensely fractured, the volume of water it can transmit
has greatly increased.
Why is the Fort Payne Formation/Chert mined?
An outcrop of Fort Payne Chert is a cost-effective material for the
creation of roadbeds.
What are the possible negative impacts of mining?
Not only can chert mining be an eyesore but it also impacts the
natural storage system of groundwater. Quarrying sites shift as
road construction advances, and numerous pits are abandoned. These
areas become problematic when people begin to dump trash or leave
other possible contaminants around the chert pits. Due to the
porous nature of Fort Payne Chert, it is easy for contaminants to
pollute the ground water.
Active chert pits:
An abandoned chert pit being reclaimed by nature:
Chert used in road construction:
Parking is available at the listed coordinates; there is room for
one or two vehicles at the pull-off on the right-of-way of
Prestwood Drive. Enjoy your visit!
Web Pages Utilized to create this EarthCache
include:
http://www.al.com/travel/index.ssf?historicalmarkers.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Payne_Formation
http://capp.water.usgs.gov/gwa/ch_g/G-text10.html
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)