Carter Caves - Rock Fracture - Carter Caves SP, KY, US
N 38° 21.174 W 083° 06.740
17S E 315425 N 4247082
This Rock Fracture is located on the box canyon trail. On the State Park map it is referenced as Wind Tunnel.
Waymark Code: WMTTBW
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 01/06/2017
Views: 7
This is an excellent example of rock fracture mechanics, initiation and growth of fractures. The fracture 30-40ft height and 12ft -3 ft. wide and creates a gap in the rock that can be walked through from one side of the sandstone rock formation to the other.
Water within the fracture caused fracture propagation because it lowered the pressure than what was required to expand the fracture.
The water and quartz reacted to form a substitution of HYDROXIDE molecules for the OXYGEN molecules in the quartz mineral of the sandstone near the fracture edges. Since the HYDROXIDE bond is much lower than the OXYGEN bond, it effectively reduces the necessary tensile stress required to extend the fracture to the size that you see now.
Waymark is confirmed to be publicly accessible: yes
Parking Coordinates: N 38° 21.344 W 083° 06.700
Access fee (In local currency): .00
Requires a high clearance vehicle to visit.: no
Requires 4x4 vehicle to visit.: no
Public Transport available: no
Website reference: [Web Link]
|
Visit Instructions:
No specific requirements, just have fun visiting the waymark.