EarthCache Knowledge Book
1. Beginner's Basics
1.1 An Introduction to EarthCaches
An EarthCache is a type of geocache. There is no container to be found at the coordinates, but rather an Earth science lesson to be learned.
The EarthCache program was developed by the Geological Society of America.
2. Hiding EarthCaches
2.1 Guidelines
The current EarthCache Submittal Guidelines can be found here.
Please note that these guidelines change over time. You may find EarthCache listings that would not have been published under the current guidelines.
2.2 EarthCache Description
The EarthCache write-up must include substantial information about the local geology or geological processes. The text must provide accurate but simple explanations of what visitors will experience at the site. The logging tasks must also be geology-related. It should assume no prior knowledge of geology and be written at an age 14 reading level.
Please be aware that certain "paperless" GPS receivers have a character limit for the cache page descriptions that are downloaded. This may result in some of the text being cut off. If the cache page is particularly long, you may want to consider placing the logging requirements near the top of the page. In general, it is best to be as concise as possible to ensure that visitors read the entire cache page rather than just skim through it.
2.3 Using Photographs and Graphs
Graphs and photographs are an excellent way to enhance your EarthCache description. Before posting graphics in an EarthCache listing, please be sure to obtain permission or verify that the graphics are not protected by copyright.
2.4 Logging Requirements
An EarthCache listing must include logging tasks which are related to the Earth science lesson and which can only be answered by visiting the site. The logging task should be strong enough that other proof of visitation should not be required.
When setting the logging tasks, keep in mind that the guidelines state that:
"Logging of an EarthCache must involve visitors undertaking some educational task that relates to the Earth science at the site." The purpose of the logging tasks is not just to prove that someone has visited the location, but also to allow them to demonstrate that learning has occurred. Good logging tasks involve the use of open "what/why/how do you think?" type questions.
The guidelines also state that logging an EarthCache: "..could involve measuring or estimating the size of some feature or aspect of the site, collecting and recording data". The key phrase is "could involve". Taking measurements or recording data alone is not educational and is not a satisfactory logging task. It is what is done with the data that is educational.
For example, asking a visitor to take an elevation reading at the bottom of a ravine, is not educational. However, asking them to take an elevation reading at the top and bottom and then using that data to calculate the depth of the ravine would be educational.
Please note that certain questions, such as the elevation reading, can be easily determined from a topo map and therefore could be answered without visiting the site. If that is the case, you will be asked to include a question which could only be answered at the site.
Keep in mind that an EarthCache is to assume no prior knowledge of geology.
A question such as "identify the type of rock found here" is not acceptable.
A better question would be "You will find a strip of light coloured, opaque minerals running through the middle of this rock. Measure the width of this quartz vein"
Taking a photograph is not valid logging task as it rarely gives a chance to show that learning has occurred.
Asking people to do internet research is not normally a valid logging task as it rarely relates to what visitors will experience at the site.
2.5. Photographs
All requests for photographs MUST be optional and they are considered as 'additional logging requirements" (ALR). However, an exeption could be granted by a reviewer if the photograph is part of an educational task. No logs can be deleted because a person did not undertake an ALR.
2.6 Best Ten
In 2009 a groupf of volunteerss compiled a Best Ten list of EarthCaches. These provide excellent examples of EarthCache submissions and may give you ideas for your own EarthCache. They can be found here.
2.7 Using Logos on EarthCache Pages
Logos are trademarked items and should not be included on EarthCache pages without permission. Please note that by placing an EarthCache on public land, even with approval, does not mean you can use the public land logo in your text.
An official EarthCache banner, with the Geological Society of America's logo is being developed and can be included on your EarthCache pages. The file can be found here.
2.8 Language
EarthCaches need to be in one of the official local languages. Multiple languages is encouraged. However poor translations using online tools may not be acceptable. You may be asked to provide the text in English to allow review.
3. Review Process
3.1 Publication of EarthCaches
EarthCaches are reviewed by a member of the EarthCache Review Team which consists of staff members of the Geological Society of America as well as Volunteer EarthCache Reviewers. In most cases, this is not the same Reviewer that looks after the traditional geocaches in your area. As this is a small group, there are times when it may take a few extra days before your EarthCache can be reviewed. Your patience is appreciated.
3.2 Finding a Local Reviewer
The easiest way to determine who the EarthCache Reviewer is for your area is to look at a nearby EarthCache which was recently published and see who published that listing. At the bottom of the cache page is a link: There are more logs. View them all on one page, click that link and find the Publish log near the bottom. Usually it will just say Publish; its icon is a green circle.
That Publish log belongs to an EarthCache reviewer. Most EarthCache Reviewer names begin with geoaware followed by letters which indicate which country they review in. Occasionally the cache owner will have deleted that log, so you may have to try another cache page. You can use the link of their name to get to their profile page, and email them from their profile.
You don't need to know their email address.
If you are inquiring about a specific cache, please include the GC Code. If you are asking a question about land manager policy, please include enough land manager and location information for the reviewer to answer your question. For example, "Can I place an EarthCache in a city of Gainesville Park, Alachua County, Florida?" not "Can I place a cache in Northside Park?"
As a courtesy to the reviewer and to get a quicker reply, please check the box "I want to send my email address along with this message."
3.3 List of Acceptable Sciences
EarthCaches focus on the solid earth and the processes that shape it. For the purpose of EarthCaches, "Earth science" includes geology, mineralology, paleontology, landforms, physical geography etc. It does not include ecology, biology, anthropology, history, etc.
The following are sciences that are normally acceptable and not acceptable in the creation of an Earthcache. This list is not all inclusive and there are times when a specific focus of an Earthcache may be included, or may be excluded from a list.
Acceptable :
* Geological materials - Rocks, minerals, fossils, sands, soils etc.
* Geological processes - erosion, weathering, deposition, volcanic activity, glacial action etc.
* Geological land form evolution - ie glacial valleys, reverse topography due to rock properties etc, waterfalls with geological explanations
* Use of geological materials - building stones etc.
* Geological phenomena (not included above) - impact craters, geysers, mineral springs, etc.
* Tools used by geologists - index fossils, rocks, historical geology sites
Not acceptable:
* Biology, botany, zoology
* Ecology
* Atmospheric observations
* Oceanographic observations not tied to a geology theme
* Geodesy if NOT tied to the site
* Archeology
* History, unless it has a geology theme
* Buildings without a geology lesson
* Engineering unless it has a geology theme
3.4 EarthCache Types That are No Longer Accepted
Certain types of EarthCaches have many examples already in existance and as such we are no longer accepting new submissions in that category.
This includes US river gauging stations, watershed divides unless it is a major divide, and river confluences unless it is a major confluence.
Indoor exibits at Museums and Visitor Centers cannot be used for an EarthCache. An EarthCache should take people to actual Earth science related sites.
3.5 EarthCache Types That Have Been Widely Used
Some types of Earthcaches have been widely used. New submissions may be accepted if they provide an excellent Earth science lesson.
Waterfall Classification: We no longer accept EarthCache submissions featuring the various types of waterfalls with a logging task asking to identify the type of waterfall at a particular location. Waterfall EarthCaches with specific information about the local geology and related logging tasks are acceptable.
Artesian Wells/Springs: A general description of how an artesian well or spring forms will not be accepted. The EarthCache should include details about the geological conditions that caused the artesian well/spring to be formed at the selected location.
Glacial Erratics: We are currently seeing many submissions for glacial erratic boulders as the basis for EarthCaches. We have decided that we will no longer publish these EarthCaches unless you provide an excellent Earth science lesson and related logging tasks. No longer acceptable will be logging tasks that just ask for dimensions of erratic blocks, or the calculation of the weight of the blocks. You need to work a lesson around the specific site that relates the geology of the blocks to the surrounding geology and some task that links those blocks to the action of the glaciers that brought them here. This will require you to be innovative.
3.6 Landowner's Permission
Landowner's permission is required for most EarthCaches. It is extremely important that the managing agency that looks after a park understand that your EarthCache will bring more people to the site you have listed. This allows them to manage any issues that they feel are important, and at the same time, raise their awareness of the role EarthCaches can play to attract visitors to their area.
When asked to provide the landowner's permission, you should include a reviewer note with the name, title, and contact information of the person you spoke to that granted permission. You may also wish to include a cut and paste copy of the email that they sent you if it was in written form.
All reviewer notes are auto-deleted before a cache is published, but the information is available to Groundspeak staff and volunteers should the need arise in the future.
Public lands are managed in different ways throughout the world, therefore there are some instances where landowner's permission is not required. Your local EarthCache Reviewer will be able to inform you if permission is required or not. However, you must provide details of why permission is not required in a note to the reviwer. Not providing this may delay your submission.
Some areas, such as USA National Parks, require permission in writing. This can be in the form of an email. Again, your local Reviewer will let you know if written permission is required.
3.7 Site Specific
An EarthCache must contain substantial information about the local geology.
The location must therefore lend itself to providing an Earth science lesson a pretty view is not enough. A good EarthCache has a consistent theme throughout and the location, description and tasks combine to provide the Œlesson¹. The theme of an EarthCache should highlight what is unique or interesting about the chosen location, and use what is at the location to do
so. Keep the text relevant to the site (and your theme) - don¹t write all
you can find about a subject and forget to tie it into the site!
3.8 Unique Feature
An EarthCache location should highlight a unique Earth science feature.
Common features such as rivers, mountains, meanders, or streams may not be accepted unless the EarthCache write-up indicates what is unique/special about that particular location.
3.9 Wikipedia
Wikipedia and other online sources can be a good place to obtain research materials for your particular site. Please be aware that EarthCaches which are just cut-and-paste from an online source are not acceptable, however.
You must rewrite the information in your own words. Be sure to quote the sources of your information whenever possible.
3.10 Proximity
An EarthCache may be placed near a traditional cache, however we do ask that you do not place it at the exact same coordinates. This is to avoid confusion that the cache container might belong to the EarthCache.
However, if the traditional cache highlights the same feature as the EarthCache submission, it may be rejected. Content rather than proximity is the guiding factor.
Multiple EarthCaches may be developed at the same location if they provide unique Earth science lessons. In general, it may be better to try to combine the lessons into one EarthCache, however, rather than submitting individual EarthCaches.
3.11 Vacation EarthCaches
Currently you may submit an EarthCache for a location that is far from your home coordinates. You must have visited the site within the past two months however. It may be rejected if the Reviewer determines there are issues that could require maintenance visits in the near future.
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