GeoawareGSA1

Thanks, Cerberus, you beat me to it (There was a lot of discussion on this matter in the Forums awhile back, so we at GSA recently added those points to the FAQ, so if you had missed seeing that, it's probably because it's only one or two months old! ) Monkey Chops raises an interesting situation that we hadn't really considered (I don't know if this is his situation or not, but it made me think of it anyway) -- logging an EarthCache that one visited before they knew about EarthCaching... but what if the EarthCache was already in place at the time? I'd say the same concepts listed in the FAQ still apply, but the fact that the EarthCache existed already would probably make it "more acceptable" to log it, provided all the logging requirements can be met. Bottom line, use your best judgment, be open with the cache owner, and work with them. (Always a good idea I suppose!) Welcome to EarthCaching, and thanks for being part of the community --Matt, GeoawareHQ

Dear EarthCachers, GSA is pleased to announce that online registration for the 2nd International EarthCache Event is now open! You can register at http://www.2iee.com/registration/. For a savings, go for the Early Bird registration, which closes August 3, 2013. If there are questions about registration, e-mail earthcache@geosociety.org, or try the official Forum for the event here: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=160. You can use that forum to help plan your travel and discuss the event with others. Best wishes, GeoawareHQ (Matt)

Check this out, recently added to our FAQ: Where can I find reliable geoscience information that I can use to develop EarthCaches of my own? 1. Don’t just rely on the Internet. Much of the best geoscience information will be found in books and journals, some of which may not be available online. Look at your local public library, university library, book store, etc. 2. Look for the most up to date information sources available. Geoscience is a rapidly changing field, so an old book about the geology of Georgia, published in 1962, may contain obsolete information or factual errors. 3. Mountain Press publishes two series of books that are great for EarthCaching: Roadside Geology - http://mountain-press.com/series_detail.php?series_key=2 Geology Underfoot - http://mountain-press.com/series_detail.php?series_key=8&series_name=Geology%20Underfoot 4. Many local universities have earth science departments that can be a good information resource. Check their website, look for public visiting hours, a lending library, a museum/exhibit area, or staff who have time to provide assistance. 5. Local science or natural history museums often have exhibits, books, and staff that can provide information about an area’s geology. 6. Most countries and states/provinces have a “Geological Survey”, or a similar agency that is responsible for earth science information and resources. In the United States, the U.S. Geological Survey is the national agency responsible for earth science: www.usgs.gov. The Association of American State Geologists maintains a lists of state-based agencies that deal with earth science: http://www.stategeologists.org/surveys.php 7. The EarthCache program is coordinated by Geocaching.com and the Geological Society of America (GSA). Many nations, states/provinces, and even some smaller regions have their own geological societies, which can serve as a good source of local earth science information. Here is a list of societies affiliated with GSA: http://www.geosociety.org/divisions/. Here’s an example of a state-based society, the West Texas Geological Society: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_map. These are often provided by agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or state-based geological surveys. 9. Your local reviewer may be able to point you to resources, but keep in my mind some reviewers cover large areas. 10. Check other caches in the area, and if they provide links or resources, they may be useful to you also.

For this hill, you'll want to find clear evidence that it's a dune. Or at least some clear evidence of the geological origin, so that you are just left to speculate. If the focus is on it being a "high point" or a "nice view", that will most likely not work very well. With the spring, check the guidance on springs and see if your location is appropriate. The location may have geology that would work, but it may not. We still publish them, but like hzoi pointed out, there needs to be a unique geo-angle on it. Good luck! Matt

hzoi's tips are good. If the reason for putting an EarthCache here is that it's a high point and there's a marker there, that probably won't cut it. (In other words, shoehorning geology into a site with a high point/marker is difficult.) If there's some cool geology, and there just happens to be a marker there too, then maybe it can go somewhere. In general, such EarthCaches are difficult to get published. I would recommend not focusing at all on the marker, when you visit the location, and look around to see if the geology is worthwhile. Best wishes, Matt

Just a few quick thoughts: Keep in mind that the geological lesson needs to be unique and "location specific". So a general lesson about limestone in a coral is usually not sufficient. Or a discussion of coral as an erosion barrier, is generally not unique to a location, and could apply anywhere along a reef. In some places, the growth and death of coral is an indicator of uplift or subsidence, which usually makes for a good lesson, and not one that you see at EVERY coral reef. Coral reef caches are notoriously difficult. They're kind of like beaches. Yes, beaches contain geological materials (sand, minerals), but they are so widespread and relatively common, that in order to make a good, publishable EarthCache at one, there must be something unique about the geology at a particular location. Good luck! Looks like you and the reviewer are on a good path forward. --Matt

A few thoughts: 1. If this is the Solomon's Throne you're referring to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulayman_Mountain & http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1230 Then be sure to focus on the geology, rather than the human and cultural history and archaeology. The UNESCO info provided online does not talk about the geology at all. My fear is that when you arrive on site, there won't be much info about geology, so that's something to be mindful of. You just may have a hard time finding good geo info for the location. 2. If this is the reservoir: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charvak_Lake This could be tough to publish. In a number of cases, our review team (myself included) has had difficulty working with COs to get reservoir EarthCaches to a "publishable" state. There's often just not "enough geology" to make them viable. The key is to not focus on the water and reservoir itself, but instead, the geology that underlies it. That kind of information can be hard to find right here in the US, for US reservoirs, so my guess is it will be even harder to find for Uzbekistan. These comments aren't meant to be negative or discouraging, but are more of a "heads up" about some of the challenges these caches might face. The subterranean lake sounds like it'll have ample geology for you to work with. One key is to avoid "generic cave talk", and keep it site specific as much as possible. That seems like a neat spot!! Happy travels, and good luck. Best wishes, Matt, GeoawareHQ

GSA receives lots of questions about where to get reliable geoscience information to use for the development of EarthCaches. Here are some ideas: 1. Don’t just rely on the Internet. Much of the best geoscience information will be found in books and journals, some of which may not be available online. Look at your local public library, university library, book store, etc. 2. Look for the most up to date information sources available. Geoscience is a rapidly changing field, so an old book about the geology of Georgia, published in 1962, may contain obsolete information or factual errors. 3. Mountain Press publishes two series of books that are great for EarthCaching: Roadside Geology - http://mountain-press.com/series_detail.php?series_key=2 Geology Underfoot - http://mountain-press.com/series_detail.php?series_key=8&series_name=Geology%20Underfoot 4. Many local universities have earth science departments that can be a good information resource. Check their website, look for public visiting hours, a lending library, a museum/exhibit area, or staff who have time to provide assistance. 5. Local science or natural history museums often have exhibits, books, and staff that can provide information about an area’s geology. 6. Most countries and states/provinces have a “Geological Survey”, or a similar agency that is responsible for earth science information and resources. In the United States, the U.S. Geological Survey is the national agency responsible for earth science: www.usgs.gov. The Association of American State Geologists maintains a lists of state-based agencies that deal with earth science: http://www.stategeologists.org/surveys.php 7. The EarthCache program is coordinated by Geocaching.com and the Geological Society of America (GSA). Many nations, states/provinces, and even some smaller regions have their own geological societies, which can serve as a good source of local earth science information. Here is a list of societies affiliated with GSA: http://www.geosociety.org/divisions/. Here’s an example of a state-based society, the West Texas Geological Society: http://www.wtgs.org/. Your area may have its own geological society as well. 8. A good geologic map is indispensable when developing EarthCaches: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geologic_map. These are often provided by agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or state-based geological surveys. 9. Your local reviewer may be able to point you to resources, but keep in my mind some reviewers cover large areas. 10. Check other caches in the area, and if they provide links or resources, they may be useful to you also. (I will soon add this info to the EarthCache.org website.) --Matt, GeoawareHQ

These tips all look good. You certainly won't need a translation into Rapa Nui (though that'd get you some major bonus points ). Spanish will be sufficient for the "local language". Save the translation till the end, after the English text is "ready to publish". Seems like there is some good geology there! --Matt, GeoawareHQ

Excellent example, GBL. In that case, the logging tasks are VERY site specific. What we want people to avoid is asking visitors to make some measurement, or solve some measuring-based task, that can basically be done anywhere else with the same effect and learning. --Matt

To log an EC, you must visit the posted coordinates and solve the logging task for those coordinates. How do you know the sea in one country has the same characteristics as that same sea once you cross a boundary? You don't, unless you visit the location described specifically in the cache. Deserts, oceans, etc., all have variability.

1. There is no rule that says somebody has to visit the location after publication in order to make a log. 2. HOWEVER, in our view, somebody has not actually visited an EarthCache if there was no EarthCache there at the time of their visit! 3. GSA has no problem with a cache owner deleting a log from somebody who has clearly not visited the EarthCache after its publication date. 4. If a cache owner wants to allow such logs to stand, that's fine too. (That's up to the CO. Maybe in some cases they would feel as though the person logging the cache did get a good lesson, by combining an earlier visit with solving the cache's logging tasks after the fact. They can be the judge of that.) If somebody were to approach us with a complaint about a log being deleted because it was before publication, GSA would support the cache owner's deletion decision. --Matt

Such an EarthCache can work, but they are often very difficult to construct in such a way that the meet all the guidelines, particularly #6: "6. Logging an EarthCache requires visitors to undertake a site-specific task which provides a learning opportunity related to the topic. The logging tasks must have visitors using the information from the cache page along with their observations at the site to perform some type of analysis of their own. Logging task solutions will serve as the cache owner's proof that the cacher has visited the site. Questions which only serve to prove that someone visited the site, and do not relate to the site's geology, are not permitted. All requests for photographs must be optional. Visitors must be able to send their answers to logging tasks via the cache owner's profile. Auto-responders cannot be used to verify answers. (link to Help Center) The answers to the logging tasks must be placed in a Reviewer Note at the time of submission." I don't know the details of your location, so it's hard to say for sure, but if the heap has been re-claimed as a public park, there may be insufficient "earth science" visible at the location, or at least not enough to make for a good, educational logging tasks to be solved on-site, at the coordinates. Geo Walker's ideas sound real good, but the trick is finding a location where such features can actually be seen clearly enough for visitors to do some task related to them. If there's not much to see, geologically speaking, I might recommend against trying to "force" an EarthCache into the location. (But again, keep in mind, I am not familiar with the location, so I may be way off base!) Best wishes and happy caching, GeoawareHQ

Here's some info I provided another cacher that may apply to your situation (different state, but similar idea) - The Roadside Geology series is good. Local universities are a great resource, many have earth science (geoscience, geology, etc.) departments. A very underutilized resource is the state geological survey, some of which are based at universities. http://www.tn.gov/environment/tdg/ Another underutilized resource in EarthCaching is the local Geological Society, such as this one: http://www.memphisgeology.org/ I also like to recommend just stopping by a well-equipped local library, and checking out the science section, you never know what you might find on the area's geology, such as a local "geology hiking" guide, or some hard-to-find local geo publications. A geologic map may be a good place to start, and that could be provided by the local geo surveys. Personally, I wouldn't recommend trying a waterfall or spring for your first EarthCache creation. Those are doable, but difficult, so I'd recommend starting with something more unique, which will provide a higher chance of success (and lower chance of frustration). --Matt

The Roadside Geology series is good. Local universities are a great resource, many have earth science (geoscience, geology, etc.) departments. A very underutilized resource is the state geological survey, some of which are based at universities. Looks like you may be in TX, so try this: http://www.beg.utexas.edu Another underutilized resource in EarthCaching is the local Geological Society, such as this one: http://www.wtgs.org/ (looks like TX has a number of geo societies, which makes sense ). I also like to recommend just stopping by a well-equipped local library, and checking out the science section, you never know what you might find on the area's geology, such as a local "geology hiking" guide, or some hard-to-find local geo publications. With the location you describe, it may be very hard to find specifics online. A geologic map may be a good place to start, and that could be provided by the local geo surveys. Also, please see my recent post about copying info from other caches: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=305059&st=0&p=5191064entry5191064 --Matt geoawarehq

Sorry to butt in again, but I wouldn't recommend copying anything "word for word" from any resource (including another EarthCache) into a newly submitted EarthCache. Please refer to updated Guideline #8: "8. Respect Trademarks and Copyright and only use text, images or logos if you have permission. EarthCaches with information that is copied from other sources, plagiarized, or used without proper attribution will not be published. Limited amounts of text may be quoted, but must be properly attributed. (link to Help Center)" (http://www.geosociety.org/earthcache/guidelines.htm) Even if permission has been granted, things are attributed, quoted, etc., depending on how it's done, copy-and-pasting rarely makes for a good EarthCache Best wishes, and thanks for helping out the O.P. --Matt GeoawareHQ

Maybe this info will help a little bit: http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=296 The roadcut sounds most promising, as long as people can access it safely. With a bit of research, you can probably come up with some interesting tasks regarding the sequence of the layers, the direction of the forces that caused the folding, the rock type, the environments in which the rocks were originally deposited (and then deformed), etc. --Matt (geoawarehq)

There are EarthCaches about mines, EarthCaches about clay, so this topic and location could work. However, please be mindful of access, safety, and land manager/permission issues, because the reviewer will definitely be looking at these things, especially since there is a mine involved. Best wishes -- Matt

Here is a link to the old guidelines: http://www.geosociety.org/earthcache/guidelines_2011_01_01.htm The Help Center articles about EarthCaches, hosted at Geocaching.com, will be updated soon, to help further clarify the guidelines updates. And regarding the "backlogging" matter, thanks to geodarts for digging up geoaware's earlier statement on that. Our stance remains the same. While a cache owner may certainly allow such logs if they choose (if they satisfy the logging tasks, etc.), we do not feel that someone has truly visited and logged an EarthCache unless they visited the site after the EarthCache was developed and published, and at that point, solved the logging tasks. geoawarehq

I also concur that Terratin's approach is a very good one. The more space you can put between your EarthCache and the traditional, the better, but it can still be published if it's less than 161m away (and meets the guidelines, of course ).

Dear Members of the EarthCache Community The EarthCache guidelines have worked well since the last update on January 1, 2011. However, we have made further revisions to the guidelines in a new update that takes effect on January 1, 2013. All EarthCaches submitted on or after January 1, 2013, will be subjected to these newly updated guidelines. The guidelines can be found here: http://www.geosociety.org/earthcache/guidelines.htm The updates are intended primarily to bring more clarity to the process of developing and reviewing EarthCaches. Although we are not able to incorporate everyone’s ideas and wishes into the guidelines, these updates were guided by feedback received from the EarthCache community through the forums, e-mails, and personal contacts at the 1st International EarthCache Mega Event. Very helpful input was also received from the EarthCache review team. We will inform the geocaching community of the updated guidelines through various means, including social media (www.facebook.com/EarthCache). Please feel free to help us spread the word. We are also working to develop translations of the guidelines into multiple languages. If you or somebody you know may be interested in helping with this process, please contact earthcache@geosociety.org. The Help Center articles about EarthCaches, hosted at Geocaching.com, will be updated soon as well, to help further clarify the guidelines updates. Questions about the guidelines may be directed to earthcache@geosociety.org. We are excited for 2013, and are very much looking forward to the 2nd International EarthCache Event, which is coming on September 7, 2013! (http://coord.info/GC3JG9V) So, happy new year, and a big thank you to the entire EarthCache community, particularly: -Those who have visited EarthCaches -Those who have developed EarthCaches -The volunteer team of EarthCache reviewers -The folks at Geocaching.com -Anyone else we may have missed! Sincerely, Matt - GeoawareHQ

"- standing on the coordinates, what consistency and color does the ground have?" It's hard to say w/o the full write-up, but this question would be improved by placing it in some context or asking for some interpretation. Like, "and therefore, what type of materials/soil/mineral/rock is this made of? How do you know? What does that tell you about this location, geologically speaking?" (Just some examples. Because simply asking for consistency or color of something does not necessarily provide an earth science lesson.) - how many trees can you see? As this is written (and w/o the context/write-up) it does not relate to earth science as defined for EarthCaching, so this task couldn't be published. There are limited cases in which asking about trees does work, but the question should relate the growth or presence of trees to earth science/geological factors, and would have to help deliver a lesson. (Just asking to count them wouldn't seem to provide a lesson.) An island that remote sounds like it would have some nice coral or volcanic rocks, or both, so I would suggest focusing on those sorts of things in your description and logging tasks. Could also discuss coastal erosional features, etc., if done in a site specific manner. Avoid the temptation to sway toward flora and fauna, unless you can connect that very closely with earth science Best wishes, geoawareHQ

Hzoi is absolutely correct, info boards are not necessary, and in fact, can sometimes actually detract from an EarthCache. Developing observationally based logging tasks is key. Swamps are tough to make into good EarthCaches, because often there isn't much information available (on site, online, in books, etc.) about the geological setting at the coordinates. It can be done though -- Good luck! (If this is your first EarthCache, I might recommend NOT starting with a swamp one, because they are difficult.)

Future International EarthCache Day dates: 13 October 2013 12 October 2014 Here is the home page where the future Earth Science Week Dates are always posted: http://www.earthsciweek.org/whatisesw/futurethemes.html EarthCache Day is always held on the first day of Earth Science Week, which is a Sunday. If it makes more sense for some folks to do their events and activities on the Saturday (or the Monday if that is a holiday weekend in some areas), that is fine too! But we will focus the observance on Sunday. The above link has just been added to http://www.geosociety.org/earthcache/EarthCacheDay.html

1. Regarding souvenirs, please see the other thread here. The possibility of them was mentioned to a handful of folks who had inquired about it, but a souvenir was not promised. We are sorry we couldn't make it happen for 2012, but are working on it for 2013. There will be no retroactive souvenir. 2. Thanks to everyone who hosted an event, visited an EarthCache, published an EarthCache, or celebrated International EarthCache Day in some other form! We are already discussing plans for next year, and would love to hear feedback and suggestions. Comments on the souvenir thing have been noted and we're already working on that. GeoawareHQ