Discover EarthCaching and 11 Stunning Locations
There’s something truly spectacular about our planet earth. This month, the 7 Souvenirs of August (and the Nature Lover Souvenir) encourages you to get in touch with the extraordinary world around you through EarthCaching.
EarthCaching is the magical combination of geocaching and geological discovery. The purpose of an EarthCache is to share information about a particular (and typically jaw-dropping) geological feature. EarthCaches do not contain physical containers like most geocaches. They do, however, carry a piece of geological history that can date back millions and millions of years.
A little bit about this geocache type…
- There are over 17,000 EarthCaches worldwide.
- EarthCaches are the most popular geocache type. They are found more often and receive more favorite points than the average geocache.
- EarthCaching is currently celebrating its 10th Anniversary. The first EarthCache was published in Australia on January 10th, 2004.
- In partnership with Geocaching HQ, The Geological Society of America facilitates the listing of EarthCache locations around the world and offers a ‘Masters Program’ where you can receive a title (and pin) based on your level of EarthCache expertise.
Now go out into the world and learn something new…
- Using “Advanced Search” on geocaching.com, you can customize your geocache search. Under the “Search for” option, select “EarthCache”. Type in your postal code or home coordinates and voilà, nearby EarthCaches!
- Bring a camera (most EarthCaches encourage selfies).
- Be prepared to investigate. You will have to search out the answers for the educational portion of the geocache.
For inspiration, here are 11 stunning EarthCaches around the world:
1. GC111XM in Pumakkale, Turkey
2. GC20010 at Lake Baikal, Russia
3. GC14W63 in Namib Desert, Namibia
4. GC25643 at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland
5. GC11A56 at Jellyfish Lake, Ongeim’l Tketau, in Palau
6. GC2PFGZ at Iguazu Falls, Argentina
7. GC4CNMG in Western Australia
8. GC13D90 near Monsanto, Portugal
9. GCPCPX in Northern Ireland
10. GC23HNZ near Darvaza, Turkmenistan
11. GC1JY47 at Grand Prismatic Hot Spring, Wyoming
These EarthCaches are on our bucket list. What EarthCaches are on yours?