Styrofoam

[+scammell]

MZ1895 is a "not found", I guess, since someone chipped away the cement and hacksawed off the marker. Reference marks intact, perhaps because they were less obvious.

 

My question is about an approximately 8 foot square styrofoam platform that was set up right over the benchmark, long ago. The aluminum framework that held the foam sheets in place is all bent up, the foam broken and deteriorating and grown over. The data sheet shows this station last recovered in 1974, which is when I recall seeing these platforms set up in other places locally (Southern VT).

 

Are these targets for aerial surveys? Maybe the platform drew attention to the mark, leading to its removal? Anyone know about or seen these styrofoam platforms before? Do they really just leave all that styrofoam out in the woods to rot?

 

And when the description says that a mark "projects 3 feet", what does that mean, since these things are set flush to the bedrock?

 

Thanks for having these forums.

 

Scammell

[evenfall]

Scammell,

 

It is possible that what you found was once used for an aerial survey. The Targets sometimes differ from place to place and survey to survey It does not mean that the survey it was used for was reported to the NGS. Sometimes they are on the datasheet, other times not.

 

These targets are often set up, but sometimes not taken down after the survey, and they wind up as litter in the world... It is really too bad, but not everyone sees these things the same way and some years back, littering was not considered as it is now. As an aside, there are Geocachers who do pack out the litter they find and it is never a bad idea to do this, but this may be a bit more litter than as person may be bargaining for. In any case, it is always good form to leave things as good, or better than we found them.

 

Normally if the data states: "Projects 3 feet", then you are likely looking for something sticking out of the ground. The only hard fast rule about survey markers is read the datasheet. It is the only clue we have and we can find fault with all of these things. The marker, The data... We just have to go out and see what turns up. Compare what we find with what we were told we would likely find.

 

As to the Hacksaw job. It is simply Vandalism. It happens, and it isn't a good thing, but nevertheless, that is likely what happened. It is very frowned upon to do this to any type of survey marker, temporary or permanent.

 

Good Luck!

 

Rob

Edited April 16, 2005 by evenfall