This is not the Chapel, nor is it the Abbey - It is the Cathedral.
** **This cache is located within an area frequently patrolled by Police. Please avoid acting suspiciously whilst searching for it, and if challenged, explain about geocaching**
Sources of Information:
Westminster Cathedral - A Brief Guide for Visitors
Internet search about marble and colours
Signage within the Cathedral
Over 120 different varieties of marble decorate Westminster Cathedral - more than any other building in the UK. They come from 25 countries on 5 continents.
Marble is a non-foliated metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite. Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however, stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.
Marble is a rock resulting from metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks, most commonly limestone or dolomite rock. Metamorphism causes variable recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains. The resulting marble rock is typically composed of an interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals. Primary sedimentary textures and structures of the original carbonate rock (protolith) have typically been modified or destroyed. Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of a very pure (silicate-poor) limestone or dolomite protolith. The characteristic swirls and veins of many colored marble varieties are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides, or chert which were originally present as grains or layers in the limestone. Green coloration is often due to serpentine resulting from originally high magnesium limestone or dolostone with silica impurities. These various impurities have been mobilized and recrystallized by the intense pressure and heat of the metamorphism.
Here is some mable in the cathedral
More info on the Cathedral can be found here
To claim this cache you will need to enter the cathedral which is free to enter and open from 0700 to at least 1800 but please try to avoid walking around the Cathedral during services.
You need to email the owner through their profile the answers to the following questions
1 - What is the second line on the inscription inside the Front Door
2 - In the second Chapel on the left what colour is the marble and explain why that is appropriate and what is causing the marble to be that colour.
3 - The Baldacchino over the High Altar is supported by columns of what colour marble and where does it come from. Estimate the width and height of the Baldacchino
4 - In St Joseph's Chapel where does the marble column come from and what colour is it.
** **This cache is located within an area frequently patrolled by Police. Please avoid acting suspiciously whilst searching for it, and if challenged, explain about geocaching**