Field Guide: Conducting an EarthCache Investigation
An EarthCache is a unique geological treasure hunt that combines satellite navigation with hands-on field science. Unlike traditional geocaches, an EarthCache contains no physical container, plastic trinkets, or paper logbook hidden under a pile of rocks. Instead, the landscape itself is the destination. To earn credit for finding one, you must visit a site of significant earth-science interest, observe the geological features, conduct field measurements, and answer specific research questions provided by the cache creator. Follow this procedural guide to complete an EarthCache investigation effectively and ethically.
Required Equipment
Before leaving for the field, gather your essential geological tools:
- A handheld GPS receiver or a smartphone equipped with a reliable navigation application.
- A field notebook with waterproof paper and a weather-resistant pen or pencil.
- A small 10x hand lens or pocket magnifier for inspecting rock grains and crystal structures.
- A rigid pocket ruler or calibrated photo-scale card.
- A camera to document geological features (and take any required verification photos).
- Sturdy hiking footwear, plenty of drinking water, and appropriate weather protection.
- outcrop:
- A section of rock formation that is exposed at the surface of the ground without soil cover.
- topography:
- The natural physical surface features and shapes of an area of land.
- bedding planes:
- The visible horizontal layers or dividing surfaces that separate distinct beds of sedimentary rock.
- erratic:
- A large rock or boulder carried and deposited by glacial ice that differs from the native bedrock.
- hand lens:
- A small, handheld magnifying glass used by geologists to closely inspect minerals and rock textures.
- iron-oxidized:
- Changed chemically by the reaction of iron minerals with oxygen, often resulting in a reddish or rusty color.
- tectonic:
- Relating to the structure, movement, and deformation of the Earth's crust over time.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How does an EarthCache differ fundamentally from a traditional geocache?
- 2Why does Step 1 recommend downloading maps and cache listings for offline use before departing?
Where this passage belongs
You Might Also Like
About this how-to / procedural passage for Middle School
“Field Guide: Conducting an EarthCache Investigation” is a how-to / procedural reading passage about Earth Science, written for Middle School. It takes about 4 minutes to read (646 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.