From the coordinates you are standing and looking in the Southwest direction, you will see a nice example of preserved ripple marks in the Uncom-pahgre Formation.
The rock type is quartzite. This is hard light gray rock in which quartz grains are firmly interlocked or cemented together by quartz or other minerals. It forms by metamorphism of sandstone.
Ripple Marks
Ripple marks are characteristic of shallow water deposition.
They are caused by the action of water or wind piling up the sediment into long ridges. When the sand becomes sandstone, the ripple marks may be preserved.
Geologists study the orientation of the ripple marks to determine the original position of the layers.
Ripple Forms
Ripple Types
The ripple marks can provide information about the water that created them.
Symmetrical
Symmetrical ripples are created in environments where there is a steady back and forth movement of the water (a two way current with swash and backwash).
This creates ripple marks with pointed crests and rounded troughs, which aren't inclined more to a certain direction.
Asymmetrical
These are created by a one way current, for example in a river, or the wind in a desert.
This creates ripple marks with still pointed crests and rounded troughs, but which are inclined more strongly in the direction of the current. Therefor they are asymmetric in shape, with the steep (lee) face in the down-current direction.
Asymmetrical ripple marks can give an indication of current direction when formed in water, and when formed by wind, give wind direction.
Questions
To get credit for finding this earthcache:
Please do NOT post answers in your logs!
Please
e-mail me "GC651VX - The Rippled Wall" and the answers to the following questions. Add the names of other cachers in your group.
Unfortunately if I don't receive answers within seven days, logs will be deleted.
1. What kind of ripple form can you see looking at the ripple mark wall across from your viewing point? Is it straight, sinuous, catenary or linguoid and explain why?
2. Are the ripple marks asymmetrical or symmetrical? Explain your reasoning.
3. Can you tell in what direction the water was flowing? Why or Why not?
4. How can ripple marks indicate the original position of rock layers?
5. What is the current position of the wall with the ripple marks and what was its original position? Was the top originally left or right? Explain your reasoning.
6. Optional and not required for logging EarthCaches is posting a picture of yourself onsite, but no spoilers please (not the ripple marks as they are part of the task).
Additional Waypoints
P1651VX - Parking
N 37° 59.992 W 107° 39.656
Parking area
R1651VX - Viewpoint
N 37° 59.988 W 107° 39.663
Viewpoint
The Rippled Wall
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