GeoawareGBL

It might have helped if you told the whole story FLtravelers, namely that you first tried to place an EarthCache at a location you had not visited recently. After your cruise to this location you tried again, but it turned out this location is only accessible by cruise passengers, if I remember correctly only from one specific cruise line. Nina, GeoawareGBL

Some might say we are rockhounds, but as we don't like dogs and self hatred isn't too good anyway, we just claim we're dinosaurs. Or trilobites.

As I review all around the world I'd have an impressive frequent flyer status should GS require me to visit all caches. Hmm.. maybe I should ask them to send me a big batch of plane tickets each month

Well thanks a lot for recognizing the work reviewers do for you so you can enjoy the game.

I once published one within 10 minutes of it being submitted Now if every EarthCache was that well done...

Not specifically against Yoda, but big profiles in general: When reviewing I'm not a fan of those as I usually have a look if a CO has actually been in the region he'd like to publish an EarthCache, and if he's got previous ECs. Yoda's profile is kind of ok (meaning it only takes about a minute to load), but there are some that completely shut down my poor little computer completely for 5 minutes or so. Time I'd rather spend differently. Nina, GeoawareGBL

Me too! Besides, nobody would want to peer review the masses of non-Earthscience-y submissions we're getting 1/2 of GeoawareGBL - Rockhound.

Yes, I suggest you work with your reviewer. When someone gets stuck with an EarthCache, we usually give the following advise: 1) Choose a suitable topic (related to the location or alternatively find a location which illustrates your topic) 2) Create a general write up of the earth science regarding this topic. 3) Go into details on how this is applied/visible/etc. at the location. 4) Create a (few) logging task(s) which invites the visitors to apply (some of) the information of your listing to what they actually see at the location. In your case the problem seem to be logging tasks. Geology is something best studied in the field, thus your logging tasks should work along the same line: bring people to a location, show them something geologically interesting and ask questions about what people can see there. These questions should not be about the number of benches at the location but really focus on the feature you describe. Also simple measurements are hardly ever related to the geology: an outcrop would be still be the same if it was 30m wide or 50m. Also, biology or ecology is generally not a part of EarthScience, though I can imagine a few ocasions where it might actually work. For example, as a student I've done a mapping course in Spain. All the rocks in the area where clastic (sandstones and such) with the exception of one thin limestone layer, which often wasn't visible. I could still map it because a type of wild roses was growing only where the limestone layer was present underneath the soil, and nowhere else. Before everyone rushes out now to create EarthCaches on invisible geology: Mind you, for an EarthCache, this limestone layer should still have an outcrop somewhere. We need something that people can actually see. Nina, GeoawareGBL - Global EarthCache Reviewer

Waterfalls are allowed, however, they need to have an excellent earth science lesson. See: http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=51 then click on 2.5. Limiting some EarthCache types. Thus if you could figure out the geological reason why this waterfall is there then this might be a topic for an EarthCache. The logging tasks should not focus on the height of the waterfall (think about it: the geology would still be pretty much the same if the waterfall was 3 ft higher) but also on why it's there. Cheers, GeoawareGBL - Global EarthCache Reviewer

Calling people -who spent a lot of time and effort creating an EarthCache- 'lazy' is not very nice, to say the least. As global EarthCache reviewer I deal with a lot of submissions all over the world by people from a lot of different countries, who speak a wide variety of languages. Although English is widely spoken and understood, it most certainly is not a language everybody knows, let alone is able to provide a sound earth science lesson in. The logging tasks are there to provide a learning opportunity. This means that answers not necessarily have to be correct, but merely show that you -the visitor- have learned something. An incorrect reasoning leading to a wrong answer can be valuable to, if the cache owner later on provides the correct explanation. So yes, incorrect answers, for whatever reason, should not mean your found log is invalid if your answers show you've picked up the earth science lesson. Cheers, Peter / GeoawareGBL / Global EarthCache Reviewer

Yep, that's us! Excuses for the long waiting time. It's been a terrible week with something related to our move or work going on every evening. Normally I'd post a note asking for a bit more patient but I was too tired when I finally got home. We'll go through our review queue later today and tomorrow, and your cache is indeed at the top. Nina, GeoawareGBL - Global EarthCache Reviewer

You win! We have only published 345. Though I guess we published caches in more countries than you did GeoawareGBL EarthCache Reviewer

Guideline 2 states that EarthCaches must provide accurate information. If an EarthCache contains incorrect information or plain errors, then this must be corrected by the Cache Owner. The first step should be to contact the CO (either directly or through a 'Needs Maintenance' log) and provide him/her with the correct information, preferable backed by (scientific) sources. When the CO doesn't update the description, and thus the error(s) remain in the listing, bringing the EarthCache in question to the attention of the reviewers is indeed the way to go. You can do this by either by posting a 'Needs Archive' note or contacting an EarthCache reviewer though his/her profile. Cheers, Peter / GeoawareGBL / Global EarthCache Reviewer edit: correcting a topy

If you guys implying we're dogs (and don't say rockhounds) then we step down immediately! We don't like dogs and it's not mentioned in our job description either GeoawareGBL, Global EarthCache Reviewers

Although 'the internet' is a great resource, a lot of information is rather general and/or not quite accurate/current. So I quite often suggest to go to your local library to get (scientific) books or articles on the topic/area you are interested in, as these usually provide more specific and accurate information. Or if they don't have the books you want, let them order those from other libraries (though I don't know how easy that is in the USA, for Western Europe this usually is not a problem and mostly free of charge). Cheers, GeoawareGBL

Hi, I don't have specific suggestions for these sites, but maybe some general advice is helpful: 1) Prepare yourself in advance by making yourself familiar with the guidelines and the other sources with regard to Earthcaches. You could make a print out of the guidelines to take along. This will help you collecting the correct information for a good Earthcache. 2) Try to find (some) geological information about the location you are visiting in advance. This helps you to understand the geology better and gives you a means to develop your Earthcache. 3) At the location, take a lot of pictures, field notes and make sketches so you understand the geology and will be able to develop location spefic logging tasks. 4) Keep in mind your Earthcache listing (also) needs to be submitted in the local language, although you can wait with translating it until your English version is approved. 5) Also keep in mind that you might need permission in order to place your Earthcache. Try to get this permission when you are at the site from the proper authorities or at least make sure you receive contact information of the person/institution who/which can provide permission. I hope you have a great trip and will be happy to review your earthcache(s), as they're in our territory anyway. If you still have some questions, don't hesitate to contact me. Cheers, Peter / GeoawareGBL / Global EarthCache Reviewer PS: Maybe I should just tag along, so we can discuss matters at the sites themselves...

Hello Murazor, your cache will probably be reviewed by us. Please do submit it in English first, and only have it translated once it's approved. If some changes are necessary then you don't need to change the translation as well. Cheers, 1/2 of GeoawareGBL

There's no general rule for exceptions This means we cannot tell upfront if your idea would be an acceptable topic for an EarthCache. As you don't give any details in your posting and geodesy in itself is a broad topic, I can't explain unless specifically linked to the location in a few sentences. But I can give you an example of "specifically linked to the location": Earth's Orientation - South Pole. I suggest you create a short draft, outlining your idea & structure for this EarthCache and contact me or the local geoaware with this. We'll be happy to go over it and advice you. Cheers, Peter / GeoawareGBL / Global EarthCache Reviewer

Hello wisjanine, It looks like I'll be reviewing an Earthcache on Aruba shortly Although I don't have suggestion for what topics/locations would make a great Earthcache, I can give you some general advice with respect of developing an Earthcache while on vacation: 1) Prepare yourself in advance by making yourself familiar with the guidelines and the other sources with regard to Earthcaches. You could make a print out of the guidelines to take along. 2) Try to find (some) geological information about the location you are visiting. This helps you to understand the geology better and gives you a means to develop your Earthcache. If possible take the article/book/etc. along to the site so you can directly related the information with what you see. 3) Keep in mind your Earthcache listing (also) needs to be submitted in the local language (which for Aruba is Dutch or Papiamento), although you can wait with translating it until your English (or other language you prefer writing in) version is approved. 4) Also keep in mind that you might need permission in order to place your Earthcache. Try to get this permission when you are at the site from the proper authorities or at least make sure you receive contact information of the person/institution who/which can provide this permission. 5) Make sure you have checked nearby Earthcaches to ensure yours is unique. Enjoy your vacation and I'll be looking forward to your Earthcache! Cheers, GeoawareGBL / Global Earthcache Reviewer

The proximity rule indeed does not apply to Earthcaches. However, if an Earthcache is placed near or on an existing cache, I will ask the CO to 'move' the coordinates a few meters/couple of feet, just so the icons don't overlap on the map. Cheers, GeoawareGBL / Global Earthcache Reviewer

Hallo (potentiële) Earthcache Owners! Het spreekt voor zich dat een Earthcache aan alle richtlijnen dient te voldoen, voordat je deze voor review aanbiedt. Helaas blijkt dit in de praktijk niet altijd helemaal goed te gaan. Daarom hier een overzicht van de belangrijkste zaken waar je op dient te letten en wat aanvullende informatie. Zal ik hier een Earthcache plaatsen? Voordat je een Earthcache wil plaatsen, zijn er drie vragen die je jezelf moet stellen: Is er een aardwetenschappelijk/geologisch verhaal te vertellen op deze locatie? Kan de bezoeker hier een aardwetenschappelijke les leren? Is de locatie/de les uniek? Beantwoord je deze drie vragen met 'ja!', dan is dit een prima locatie voor een Earthcache! Meest voorkomende problemen Altijd alle antwoorden op de vragen in een reviewer note plaatsen voordat je je Earthcache ter beoordeling aanbiedt. Vragen om het maken van foto's mag, maar dit moet altijd optioneel zijn. Zorg ervoor dat jouw Earthcache werkelijk uniek is ten opzichte van andere Earthcaches. Check daarom alle Earthcaches in de omgeving; hou als regel circa 1 uur reistijd aan. Plagiaat: Het zonder meer kopiëren van internet pagina's of tekst 1-op-1 uit literatuur overnemen wordt niet geaccepteerd. Je dient de tekst voor jouw Earthcache in je eigen woorden te schrijven. Het aanwezig zijn van een informatiebord betekend niet automatisch dat de locatie of het onderwerp geschikt is voor een Earthcache. Zorg er voor dat je Earthcache in je eigen woorden het aardwetenschappelijke/geologische verhaal van de locatie vertellen en dat je vragen niet direct naar het informatiebord verwijzen, maar een combinatie dienen te zijn tussen je beschrijving en observatie op de locatie; het infobord kan hierbij wel als hulpmiddel gebruikt worden. (Indien op een locatie geen info-bord staat, kan je hier uiteraard wel een Earthcache plaatsen.) 'Verkeerde' onderwerpen voor Earthcaches Het komt regelmatig voor dat een Earthcache zich niet richt op aardwetenschappen en/of geologie en daarom niet als Earthcache geaccepteerd kan worden. Veel voorkomende 'verkeerde' onderwerpen zijn: Archeologie, Atmosferische observaties, Biologie, Ecologie, Gebouwen*, Algemene Geodesie, Historie*, Oceanografie*, Plant- en Dierkunde en Techniek*. (*tenzij deze een geologisch thema hebben.) Naast deze lijst zijn er een aantal geologische onderwerpen die dusdanig vaak als basis voor Earthcaches gebruikt, dat deze niet meer geaccepteerd worden, tenzij je een daadwerkelijk unieke aardwetenschappelijke les in je listing kan verwerken: Blaasgaten, Bronnen, Grotten, Waterlopen, Watervallen, Zwerfstenen en specifiek voor Nederland: Grondwatermeters. Vakantie Earthcaches We zien we ook vaak Earthcaches 'in het buitenland' van Belgische of Nederlandse cachers. Een paar tips: Bereidt je voor je op vakantie gaat voor door de richtlijnen en andere gerelateerde bronnen van informatie goed door te nemen. Maak eventueel een hard-copy van de richtlijnen en stop deze in je koffer. Dit helpt je op locatie de juiste informatie te verzamelen voor een goede Earthcache. Probeer vooraf geologische literatuur te vinden over de locatie waar je naar toe gaat. Dit helpt je zelf de geologie beter te begrijpen en biedt je houvast om je Earthcache te ontwikkelen. Houdt er rekening mee dat de Earthcache listing (ook) in de locale taal moet worden geschreven; deze vertaling mag gedaan worden nadat je Nederlandse/Engelse/etc. Tekst goedgekeurd is. Houdt er verder rekening mee dat je mogelijk toestemming voor het plaatsen van een Earthcache nodig hebt; probeer ter plekke deze toestemming te verkijgen van de locale beheerder van de site of zorg er ten minste voor dat je contact gegevens heb. Wijzigingen na publicatie Het wijzigen van je Earthcache listing na publicatie is toegestaan, mits het gaat om kleine wijzigingen (zoals het verbeteren van typo's, herschrijven van zinnen, etc.) en binnen de guidelines blijft. Substantiële wijzigingen (zoals het toevoegen van nieuwe vragen, of compleet herschrijven van hele paragrafen) dienen altijd vooraf met een reviewer besproken te worden. Wijzigingen waardoor de Earthcache niet meer aan de richtlijnen voldoet kan de onmiddellijke archivering van de Earthcache tot gevolg hebben. Nuttige links Earthcache website De Earthcache richtlijnen Earthcache Knowlegde Books bij Groundspeak en op de Earthcache website. Earthcache FAQ Heb je vragen met betrekking tot Earthcaches, dan kan je deze altijd aan mij stellen via mijn profiel. Cheers, GeoawareGBL / Global Earthcache Reviewer, ook voor de BeNeLux

I agree with you, even though I've only started reviewing Earthcaches a few months ago, I've already come across way too many of these erratics/springs/etc which all are the same ol' copy-and-paste from wikipedia and all got the same ol' size/flow-rate/etc questions. I'm not sure what's wrong with that. I doubt there will be as many springs as there are LPC. Is there a harm in having several springs in one county that aren't unique? I might want to see them all. Sounds like no burden to review since they are simple. It is 'wrong' because the earthcache program is about teaching earth science lessons and highlighting unique features. Having the same or similar earthcaches (in one county/area) simply does not provide that. Cheers, GeoawareGBL / Global Earthcache Reviewer

You're probably right, but that most likely will be only the general part of your cache, were you in broad generic terms explain springs/etc. The part in your description on the local geology and the details of this particular location most likely are different from existing Earthcaches. The 'problem' with the 'widely used topics' is the write-ups most of the time don't go into details of the particular location and therefore end up being similar (or even identical) to existing earthcaches. Yes and no, you are asked to come up with a different and unique lesson if your writeup is not already unique by itself, which -as i already said- tends to be the case as most new listings only cover the basics and don't go into detail of the particular location. Part of your research when developing an Earthcache -especially when it comes to those widely used topics- should include looking at similar Earthcaches on the geocaching website, to make sure you are developing a unique Earthcache. Ie. you should have seen those other caches, even if you did not visit those. I agree with you, even though I've only started reviewing Earthcaches a few months ago, I've already come across way too many of these erratics/springs/etc which all are the same ol' copy-and-paste from wikipedia and all got the same ol' size/flow-rate/etc questions. Cheers, GeoawareGBL / Global Earthcache Reviewer