The all-new geography quiz

[crosscountry]

It's not, but that's a good start. Also known to friends as the plain ol' Moho



I think your questions are always too good.

[hhEb09'1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durmitor

Durmitor National Park in Montenegro.Good guess--that's one deep canyon. But the rocks have been uplifted to the point where they are no longer at the Moho--they're just considered an exposed remnant of that boundary.
Wasn't there an hole somewhere in Siberia that the Soviets tried to dig down to the Moho discontinuity, but couldn't get there, because they kept finding more and more sedementary layers?

Apparently, some fundy got ahold of the story and decided that they'd actually drilled a hole into Hell and demons came out.

EDIT: The Kola Penninsula. Just checked. It was called the "Kola Superdeep Borehole." Cool name.Also known as the Mohole. :)

That article appeared in some supermarket rag. Might have been the same issue as the dog-faced boy born to Madonna.
I think your questions are always too good.I just checked and I think a simple google search would bring it to the top.

[Arneb]

Hmmmm, maybe .... another... hint?

;)

[hhEb09'1]

:)

google with exposed Moho

[pghnative]

:)

google with exposed Moho
I shudder to think of the various types of websites that that search might return...

[hhEb09'1]

I know google personalizes some of the responses, but I didn't have a problem with it. :)

Actually, looking past the first page, I found a couple more possible answers to the question that are not so famous (in the Geology sense) (or maybe they're more recent findings, I'm not sure). Whether there was anything salacious past the third page, I don't know, I stopped looking. :)

[Arneb]

O. K., let's see if e can google this monster to death somehow :evil:.

[ciderman]

The Ivrea Zone Italy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivrea_zone

[hhEb09'1]

That's the place! Ciderman, you're up.

Once, in graduate school, I was giving a talk about the Ivrea Zone, and how deep the geology was. I was showing a map of the area and explaining some of the features. When I pointed to the CMB, which indicated the Cossato-Mergozzo-Brissago Line, I casually mentioned that it was the Core-Mantle Boundary. Nobody even woke up.

[Arneb]

When I pointed to the CMB, which indicated the Cossato-Mergozzo-Brissago Line, I casually mentioned that it was the Core-Mantle Boundary. Nobody even woke up.

Would they ave if you had referred to it as Cosmic Micowave Background ? :D
Congrats, ciderman, that was tough. Let's see what you've got.

[farmerjumperdon]

Heeeeeyyyyy. Nobody said we had a geography quiz/game going. (Elbows up to table).

What's with the wait on the next question?

[Arneb]

Heeeeeyyyyy. Nobody said we had a geography quiz/game going. (Elbows up to table).

What's with the wait on the next question?

Well, the ill-reputed Fun-n-games-section does have more than just fluff in it, doesn't it?

ciderman just succeded in answering a toughie from hhEb09'1 and now has to field the next one. If you snatch that - your go :think: .

[farmerjumperdon]

OK, that was 45 minutes ago. I'm gonna go snack, and put one up if he hasn't done so by the time I'm back.

[farmerjumperdon]

A body of water, connected to the oceans (not a lake), named after a metamorphic stone.

[ciderman]

Whoo-hoo!
Got it! (after a bit of googling).
Sorry about the delay folks, been doing a job application.(not sure wether to put a smiley or frowny on that!). Hmm, body of water connected to oceans:think:
Estuary, fiord (sqwark), marina or perhaps even sea??
Any way gotta go for a couple of hours again, back later:)

[Arneb]

Marble bay - There is one on Texada island, BC, Canada; and one on the island of Guernsey, Channel Islands.

However, I think we should respect ciderman's priority.

Edit: Ah, I see ciderman has posted. Since he didn't give us a question, maybe we should instead continue with farmerjumperdons question.

So what about Marble Bay?

[farmerjumperdon]

Rats, I should have known there had to be multiple eligibles for that.

Do I hold out for the specific answer (it is a very specific place and is 3 words in length) or do we have to accept any answer that meets the criteria of the question?

[Arneb]

I think it is OK to wait for the answer you desire. However, you will have to give hint to steer the answers into the right direction (as you did).

Allow me to ask for clarification: Did I get the rock right?

[farmerjumperdon]

Correct on the rock (pretty much).

Another hint:

The rock does not speak English.

[farmerjumperdon]

Must be time for another hint.

Though of irregular shape, it's strait at both ends.

[teddyv]

Must be time for another hint.

Though of irregular shape, it's strait at both ends.

How about Catedral de Mármol (Marble Cathedral) in Chile?

[farmerjumperdon]

Nope. Looking for a body of water.

Another hint, it can be seen from the Golden Gate (not the one in San Francisco).

[Arneb]

Does that Golden Gate understand English, at least? ;-)

[farmerjumperdon]

Well, on the map I reviewed, it was labeled in English "Golden Gate." But it is located in a place where English is not the native tongue.

The body of water I'm looking for is named using the name of the aforementioned metamorphic rock, but in one of the languages of the region.

Aplologies if I make this harder than it needed to be. I figured this crowd would like a challenging, but answerable question.

Review of the hints:

<> Body of water, connected to oceans (not a lake)
<> Named after a metamorphic rock - established as marble.
<> Marble is not in English.
<> Strait at both ends.
<> Can be seen from the Golden Gate - but not the one in the USA.

Next hint:

They Might Be Giants had a song titled for the major city situated on one of the straits.

[Roy Batty]

This is getting intriguing:)
The Bosphorous (http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/56/Istanbul_Travel.html)?
It's annoying, not only have I been to Istanbul& traveled that strait, I also own the Flood LP!
The way I see it the sea of Mamara (Marble) is the sea at one end of the strait, but I've been to the pub so don't think I've quite nailed the exact answer, but I know I'm darned close, hic! :D

[hhEb09'1]

It's annoying, not only have I been to Istanbul& traveled that strait, I also own the Flood LP!Not Constantinople? :)

[ciderman]

Perhaps, but the original q did say connected to the oceans, only seas either end of that:)
Quickfun;
Where can you see parrots frolicking in the fiords?

[hhEb09'1]

I think we're being faked out :)

Lago General Carrera

but isn't the marble named after it, rather than it named after the marble? No, obviously I got that backwards. :)

PS: Wiki says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Miguel_Carrera) it was named after General Jos&#233; Miguel Carrera Verdugo, one of the founders of Chile.

[farmerjumperdon]

Sea of Marmara is it. Marmara being Greek for marble I believe, and the 2 straits being the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus. I made the connected-to-the-oceans statement to clarify that it was not a lake, not landlocked.

[Roy Batty]

I guess that's me after all then!

Ok, This place has a lake, a dam, an ocean, a huge mountain & an airport all within the vicinity, but it may be hard to locate! ;)

[farmerjumperdon]

How about a clue on "vincinity?" Such as all within sight of each other, at ground level? I'l throw out a guess though:

Anchorage, Alaska.

[crosscountry]

I bet that happens in Japan too.

[Roy Batty]

A clue? Well my tongue was firmly in cheek when posting it :D
Oh, it also has a nuclear power plant!

[Maha Vailo]

Can you give a clue as to what continent it's on?

- Maha Vailo

[Roy Batty]

Definitely North America, can't be more specific though.
Did I mention it also has an observatory? :)

[crosscountry]

sounda like Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

[Roy Batty]

A clue? Well my tongue was firmly in cheek when posting it :D
Oh, it also has a nuclear power plant!
Errm, lets concentrate on this ok? :)

[Eroica]

Arecibo, Puerto Rico?

[Roy Batty]

Ok, since I made a jokey post which you are all taking far too seriously:) I don't want to hold this up much more.

It had a monorail but it fell apart :D

[Selenite]

Seattle has a monorail system which has fallen into disrepair.

I'll guess DisneyWorld though. :think: Either that or the Simpson's fictional Springfield.

[Roy Batty]

Selenite, you are right!!! I'll leave it up to the rest of you to decide which answer is correct ...
Doh!
Sorry for the thread hijacking folks! :)

[Selenite]

I love a replicant with a sense of humour. You're lucky I got it as I rarely watch the show. :)

Okay...my turn again. I'll try one with a historical twist. Name only German territory gained during her 19th century colonial period that survived Imperial Germany's defeat in World War I and the Versailles Treaty of 1919 and still remains part of Germany to this day.

[Eroica]

East Frisian Islands?

[Selenite]

East Frisian Islands?

Not a bad guess Eroica. The East Frisian Islands were part of the Kingdom of Hanover and Hanover was aquired by Prussia prior to German Unification in 1871. (I believe) I'm looking for a piece of territory Imperial Germany picked up during her short overseas colony-building phase.

Here's a clue. In the 19th century it was British and was the first British possession given up prior to 1947 when the slow dissolution of the British Empire began.

[Arneb]

Helgoland island

[farmerjumperdon]

These clues do not appear to be consistent; this one:

"I'm looking for a piece of territory Imperial Germany picked up during her short overseas colony-building phase. Here's a clue. In the 19th century it was British and was the first British possession given up prior to 1947 when the slow dissolution of the British Empire began."

And this one:

"Name only German territory gained during her 19th century colonial period that survived Imperial Germany's defeat in World War I and the Versailles Treaty of 1919 and still remains part of Germany to this day."

Could you confirm that everything in those 2 quotes is accurately stated and true?

I had some good guesses, but then noticed the last bit about still being part of Germany today.

[Arneb]

i think it could still be Helgoland; the story is this:

Germany began acquiring overseas colonies in the 90s of the 19th century. One of the acquisitions was the island of Sansibar; I don't know if it was inherited, wrestled or bought from British possession.

Sometime in the early 20th century, still during the Imperial reign, Germany swapped Sansibar for Helgoland, then a British territory. So one can say that the island was acquired during Germany's "overseas acquisition period" although the island is not itself an overseas territory. And it is also true that Britain relinqusihed it prior to 1947 (that the Sansibar swap was not included in Selenite's clue is only fair).

[Selenite]

Yes Arneb! You got it. The tiny island of Hegoland in the North Sea just northwest of Bremerhaven was a British possession until 1890 when it was traded to Germany in exchange for Zanzibar off the coast of what is now Tanzania in East Africa.There where a few other particulars in the swap as well. Probably was no way I could slip that one past a knowlegable German. ;)

Sorry if the question was confusing or misleading. It's hard these days to come up with quizzes where the answers can't be quickly googled.

[farmerjumperdon]

Yes Arneb! You got it. The tiny island of Hegoland in the North Sea just northwest of Bremerhaven was a British possession until 1890 when it was traded to Germany in exchange for Zanzibar off the coast of what is now Tanzania in East Africa.There where a few other particulars in the swap as well. Probably was no way I could slip that one past a knowlegable German. ;)

Sorry if the question was confusing or misleading. It's hard these days to come up with quizzes where the answers can't be quickly googled.

Yeah, used to be a day when a guy could easily put together a quick and fun impromptu geography quiz. With that newfangled internet thingy, most decent clues are put near a giveaway.

[ggremlin]

Yeah, used to be a day when a guy could easily put together a quick and fun impromptu geography quiz. With that newfangled internet thingy, most decent clues are put near a giveaway.

Oh, I don't know about that. I think the "Purloined Letter" method can still work.:shhh:

[Arneb]

O.K., I guess I am next.

A region in the US and in Europe, both are administrative units.
They share the same name (almost).
The one in the U.S. hosts an important city of the state it is situated in. The region seems reasonably well-off, although the state itself doesn't rank above average in economic terms. The state prides itself on the fact that you can go hiking and skiing as well as have hop into the Ocean. Part of a high-quality crime book series is located there.

The one in europe is considerably less well-off. Problem child, economically. No real mountains, but a dreamy, beautiful stretch of coast there. Te largest city is not the administrative center and not the site of the biggest university.

Which are they?

[hhEb09'1]

Well, it's not Georgia/Georgia, because Tbilisi is also the largest city, and they have mountains. And I guess it's also ruled out because it's a USAn state itself.

[Arneb]

Well, it's not Georgia/Georgia, because Tbilisi is also the largest city, and they have mountains. And I guess it's also ruled out because it's a USAn state itself.
All your reservations apply ;). Also, I may give away that I am not looking for a country.

[Arneb]

O. K., this seems to be tough -

The area in Europe is actually in Germany.
The German counterpart, from what I seeem to gather, is larger in area.

[Hugh Jass]

Hanover, NH and Germany?

[Selenite]

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina? I know Charlotte which is a major city is located there, but it is not the capital of North Carolina.

[hhEb09'1]

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany and Mecklenburg County in North Carolina? I know Charlotte which is a major city is located there, but it is not the capital of North Carolina.That's gotta be it, he didn't say it was the capital. D'oh

[Selenite]

Yeah...I'm kinda basing my guess mostly on the former East Germany being Germany's problem child and the Mecklenburg state on the Baltic is it's only coastal area.

I've been wrong before tho. ;) Must admit I'm curious as to what this high-quality crime book series is called.

[hhEb09'1]

Must admit I'm curious as to what this high-quality crime book series is called.NC series (http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/ref/fic/series.html)

[Selenite]

Wow! Thanks for the link hhEb09'1. Was gonna ask how you knew and then noticed you are in NC yerself. :surprised

[Arneb]

Selenite is right. Congratulations, and her turn! :clap:

By the way, I wrote "major city" specifically to avoid researching if Charlotte is the capital :whistle:

The crime series I was referrring to are the Tempe Brennan novels by Kathy Reichs (http://www.kathyreichs.com/welcome.htm), which I can highly recommend. Reading one of the novels inspired the question, by the way.

And to wrap it up, the state's capital is Schwerin, the largest city is Rostock, and th largest university is in Greifswald.

[hhEb09'1]

The crime series I was referrring to are the Tempe Brennan novels by Kathy Reichs (http://www.kathyreichs.com/welcome.htm), which I can highly recommend. Reading one of the novels inspired the question, by the way.The tenth series on the list I linked. You're up Selenite!

[Selenite]

Okay! Time to play spin the globe again. ;) Wish I could come up with a tougher one, but here goes.

Name this resource-rich former colony in Africa which never achieved independence but was instead absorbed by it's neighbors soon after it's European masters left it.

[Space Chimp]

Republic of Biafra?

[farmerjumperdon]

Spanish Morocco, aka Western Sahara?

[Selenite]

Yes! You are correct Farmerjumperdon. Western Sahara, formerly the Spanish territory known as the Spanish Sahara. Now split up between Morocco and Mauritania. Probably an arid, barren place but it sounds kinda romantic and exotic. ;)

Your turn to formulate the next question. :)

SpaceChimp: Nice guess but Biafra was a secessionist province of Nigeria I believe.

[farmerjumperdon]

OK then. What should be a fun and fast one, possibly open to a bit of interpretation, but from my sources - the dryest place on Earth.

Dry as in the terra firma that receives the least amount of precipitation.

Google/Wiki/blog away.

[ggremlin]

Strangely, I believe that would be Antarctica.

[farmerjumperdon]

Strangely, I believe that would be Antarctica.

Good guess. But they do get precipitation in the form of snow.

At the time I was really up on this stuff the place I'm thinking of had not had precip in something like 20 years. That was about 20 years ago, so now I'm curious and am going to go search to see if they've had rain since then. (Holds out hand for raindrop sensation).

As an aside, in the standard climate classification system (Koeppen - sp?) I believe a desert is defined as a place where evaporation exceeds precipitation. So there are big expanses of ocean that get assigned the Koeppen codes for desert. But they don't fit my requirement for being the dryest place on Earth, so don't guess bodies of water.

First clue time though - you are in the right hemisphere.

[teddyv]

OK then. What should be a fun and fast one, possibly open to a bit of interpretation, but from my sources - the dryest place on Earth.

Dry as in the terra firma that receives the least amount of precipitation.

Google/Wiki/blog away.

Atacama Desert, Chile?

[ggremlin]

Good guess. But they do get precipitation in the form of snow.



Debatable, Antarticia gets very little new snow in any one year, because of the incredible cold. The snow has been accumulating over millions of years. In any case it is your question.

[farmerjumperdon]

Debatable, Antarticia gets very little new snow in any one year, because of the incredible cold. The snow has been accumulating over millions of years. In your case it is your question.

Very little is still more than none. There are places where it has not rained since reliable records have been kept. Not a spit.

One source I found estimated over 400 years since the last precip.

[mahesh]

Atacama Desert, Chile?

one of the others could be part of Lut desert in Iran, farmerjumperdon?
:think:

[Roy Batty]

Atacama Desert, Chile?

Those hAndes keep pushing the rain away (groan!) :)

[farmerjumperdon]

Atacama Desert, Chile?

Apologies for slow response. I missed your post.

And you are correct.

[crosscountry]

wow, that place is dry

[teddyv]

Apologies for slow response. I missed your post.

And you are correct.

Thank you.

The problem with getting answers right is you need to find another question. Anyway probably an easy one to google/wiki:

What mountain has the (reportedly) largest base circumference of any mountain on earth?

[Eroica]

Mauna Loa?

[teddyv]

Mauna Loa?

Nope. Although it is the most massive mountain on Earth.

[farmerjumperdon]

Mount Fuji.

[crosscountry]

Mount Everest?

do the Himalayas count as a base?

[farmerjumperdon]

Mount Everest?

do the Himalayas count as a base?

I was wondering about that myself, and assuming the answer is no, was thinking about the big "freestanding" mountains.

Olympus Mons?

[teddyv]

I was wondering about that myself, and assuming the answer is no, was thinking about the big "freestanding" mountains.

Olympus Mons?

I am not sure how the base is specifically defined. I presume one would draw a line around the main drainages and passes around the mountain in question.

Also to farmerjumperdon's previous answer, no it is not Mt. Fuji. To the Olympus Mons answer, I had stated "on earth" in the question.:)

[teddyv]

Mount Everest?

do the Himalayas count as a base?

No, not Mt. Everest.

[Arneb]

Kilimandjaro

[teddyv]

Kilimandjaro

Sorry, not Kilimajaro.

[hhEb09'1]

Denali?

[farmerjumperdon]

How about a hint? (Is it crass to request a hint?0

Is it a freestander or part of a range?

[teddyv]

Denali?



How about a hint? (Is it crass to request a hint?0

Is it a freestander or part of a range?

Hint(s): hhEb09'1 is in the right area, it is part of a range.

[Selenite]

Mt. Logan in the Yukon Territory's St. Elias Range? At 19,551 feet Canada's highest peak.

[teddyv]

Mt. Logan in the Yukon Territory's St. Elias Range? At 19,551 feet Canada's highest peak.

Congrats, Selenite!

You're up.

[Selenite]

Thanks teddyv!

Name this bleak, windswept landmass roughly the size of Crete, administered by the French, and one of the most isolated places in the world.

[hhEb09'1]

Thanks teddyv!

Name this bleak, windswept landmass roughly the size of Crete, administered by the French, and one of the most isolated places in the world.Kerguelen, aka Desolation Island? :)

[Selenite]

Kerguelen, aka Desolation Island? :)

Spot on hhEb09'1! In the very southern Indian Ocean. Always thought Desolation Island was the more apt name. On this ever more crowded world we live on I bet there will be a resort there eventually. ;)

Your turn at the podium.

[hhEb09'1]

On this ever more crowded world we live on I bet there will be a resort there eventually.I used to work with guys who took extended "vacations" there. :)

My question: What is the name of the mountain that so fascinated a world-class mountaineer that he named his daughter after it, and when he and she went on an expedition to it, she died and he buried her there?

[teddyv]

My question: What is the name of the mountain that so fascinated a world-class mountaineer that he named his daughter after it, and when he and she went on an expedition to it, she died and he buried her there?

Nanda Devi.

[hhEb09'1]

Nanda Devi.And her father's name was Willie Unsoeld. Your question, teddyv!

[teddyv]

The country of Ghana has two lakes of significance. What are they and what makes them significant/interesting?

[farmerjumperdon]

My maps (1:8,000,000) only shows 2 lakes in Ghana. A big one, Lake Volta, and a comparatively very small one, Lake Bosumtwi.

As for significance, how about one is very large and one is very small.

[teddyv]

My maps (1:8,000,000) only shows 2 lakes in Ghana. A big one, Lake Volta, and a comparatively very small one, Lake Bosumtwi.

Well you got the lake names right. I wasn't a 100% sure that there were only two lakes of any real signficance in the country. I've seen both of these ones though.


As for significance, how about one is very large and one is very small.

Not quite what I had in mind.;)

[ggremlin]

Ghara has two lakes of note:
1. Lake Bosumtwi is huge impact crater.
2. Lake Volti is I believe, the largest man-made reservior in the world.

[teddyv]

Ghara has two lakes of note:
1. Lake Bosumtwi is huge impact crater.
2. Lake Volti is I believe, the largest man-made reservior in the world.

You got it ggremlin!

All yours.

[ggremlin]

OK, Question:
What US State has a nickname that no longer applies? Give the nickname and the reason it no longer works.

[hhEb09'1]

OK, Question:
What US State has a nickname that no longer applies? Give the nickname and the resason it no longer works.Tennessee (http://www.50states.com/bio/nickname5.htm) because no one volunteers anymore? :)

[Selenite]

Hmmm. I'll guess Michigan? The Wolverine State.

The wolverine—known for its viciousness and gluttony—is extinct in Michigan, and in fact may never have inhabited the Lower Peninsula. The state got its nickname, because 18th-century fur-trappers who were heading to Canada passed through Sault Ste. Marie and referred to the region as the home of the fierce and voracious local animal.

However, I recalling reading that one was spotted by authorities in 2004 for the first time in a century. They weren't sure if it was native or passing through.

[ggremlin]

Selenite, very nicely reasoned, but it isn't Michigan.
hhEb09'1, I really hope you don't know anyone from Tennessee! That one is wrong.

[hhEb09'1]

I didn't mean just Tennessee. :)

I looked through that whole list at that website and I didn't see any that jumped out at me. JOOC, Is the nickname on that list?

[ggremlin]

You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you? ;) Most states have several nicknames, some more visible than others.

[Eroica]

Colorado - once known as the Last Frontier?

Delaware was once known as the Land of Tax-Free Shopping!

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_nicknames)

[ggremlin]

Colorado and Delaware are not it, nor does this nickname appear on that list either.

But I know it exists for I have see the sign, several of them actually, all over the state. Boy, it is going to be expensive to replace them all.:think:

[hhEb09'1]

You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you? ;) Most states have several nicknames, some more visible than others.You should hear my nicknames for some of them :)

[crosscountry]

Texas - the lone star state is no longer its own country
Missouri - what are they showing anyway?
New Jersey - more pollution than gardens?

I can't think of any more off the top of my head that don't fit.

[ggremlin]

No, this was a rock solid fact, that wasn't.

[crosscountry]

You're not talking about the Freestone state of Connecticut? They don't use that anymore.

Pennsylvania is the Keystone State, and although it geographically isn't the keystone of the US, it retains its nickname.

[crosscountry]

OK, Question:
What US State has a nickname that no longer applies? Give the nickname and the reason it no longer works.


am I close?

[hhEb09'1]

No, this was a rock solid fact, that wasn't.You gotta be talking about The Old Man Of The Mountain, in New Hampshire. It's on the state emblem, but the motto is Live Free or Die

It was on their quarter too.

[ggremlin]

Sorry crosscountry, hhEb009'1 has got the right state, but not the reason. 50%, going once, going twice....

[hhEb09'1]

Sorry crosscountry, hhEb009'1 has got the right state, but not the reason. 50%, going once, going twice....It only went once! :) The Old Man fell.

[ggremlin]

Sold!:clap:

Your go, h'1.

[hhEb09'1]

Sold!:Thanks! I'd've quibbled about that being a nickname, but you laid out a broad enough hint that we could answer the question.

Here's another: how far apart are the north magnetic pole, and the south magentic pole? Document your answer. :)

[crosscountry]

in 2005 the South pole was at 79.74&#176;S and 108.22&#176;E
or
North pole was at 79.74&#176; N 71.78&#176; W

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Pole

using the equation
cos a = cos b cos c + sin b sin c cos A
to find angular distance I come up with almost 180 degrees of an arc.
Now

arcangle/360 = arc/circumference . Using 6400 kilometers for the radius of the earth, it gives me 20106 kilometers (around the great circle). Not near what I expected.

of course, if you measure distance as the shortest line between two points, you'll get. 6400*2 = 12800 kilometers.

I did the spherical to cartesian coordinates and squared all the sums just to check.

[hhEb09'1]

to find angular distance I come up with almost 180 degrees of an arc. Using those numbers, you should have come up with exactly 180 degrees. Unfortunately, that's not the distance between the Earth's magnetic poles! :)
of course, if you measure distance as the shortest line between two points, you'll get. 6400*2 = 12800 kilometers.Impressive work crosscountry, the angular distance would have been enough for me.

[crosscountry]

what that a go-ahead?

[hhEb09'1]

what that a go-ahead?no, sorry, those were not the earth magnetic poles.

[teddyv]

no, sorry, those were not the earth magnetic poles.

Are you sure?

I found the exact same coordinates at this site:
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/geomag/faqgeom.shtml#q4

[hhEb09'1]

Are you sure?

I found the exact same coordinates at this site:
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/seg/geomag/faqgeom.shtml#q4Yes, I'm sure. Weirdly enough, that link appears to give the correct definition of the earth's magnetic poles, but then it does not give the coordinates. I had thought the hard part of this was going to be spherical trig! :)

[crosscountry]

The magnetic poles or dip pole are computed from all the Gauss coefficients using an iterative method. Based on the current WMM model, the 2005 location of the north magnetic pole is 83.21&#176;N and 118.32&#176;W and the south magnetic pole is 64.53&#176;S and 137.86&#176;E.


Do I need to do the trig agian? (that is if these numbers are correct) from th e link teddyv gave.

[hhEb09'1]

Do I need to do the trig agian? Yes, I need it for my homework :)

PS: I just checked the wiki link you gave earlier, and it has a bit different magnetic north pole coordinates, but the wiki magnetic south pole link has those identical coordinates listed. Weird.

PSS: Researched some more. The wiki page seems to use the NGDC coordinates for the south pole (hence the agreement), but uses the Canadian Geophysical estimate for 2005--which is based upon the 2001 measurement and extrapolated out using a constant drift. So, the NGDC (teddyv's link) may be the best available.

[crosscountry]

all right, using this formula

AS = cos-1 [(sinS * SinN) + (cosS * cosN * cos(W-E))]

where AS is angular seperation and NSEW represent the decimal degrees of each coordinate respectively

I come up with 160.8 degrees of seperation.

now, AS/360 = Arc/circ

where Arc is the seperation you are asking for, in kilometers, with circ the average radius of the Earth (6400 kilometers)*Pi*2

that gives a total of 17961.9 kilometers - with too many significant figures, I know!



By the way, that is way closer than I expected. Of course no angular distance can ever be over 180 degrees on a sphere - so we expect less, just not that much.

If I'm right please allow me some time to come up with an equally good question. Plus I have my German final exam tomorrow and must be studying now.

[hhEb09'1]

By the way, that is way closer than I expected. That was one of the reasons that I wanted to ask that question. People don't appreciate that enough, I think. :)

If I'm right please allow me some time to come up with an equally good question. Plus I have my German final exam tomorrow and must be studying now.The answer changes over time, but I was looking for a ball park figure, based upon reasonable assumptions, using the formula like that. Good luck on the test.

Take whatever time you need! :)

[crosscountry]

Ok not to difficult - my test and this question.


What is the location of the suspected asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs? Also, what geological features are associated with it. I'm thinking of 2, one local and one much larger.

Finally, what chemical signature leads us to believe it was the one that caused the extinction?

not very difficult.

[teddyv]

Ok not to difficult - my test and this question.


What is the location of the suspected asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs? Also, what geological features are associated with it. I'm thinking of 2, one local and one much larger.

Finally, what chemical signature leads us to believe it was the one that caused the extinction?

not very difficult.

Southern Gulf of Mexico, around the Yucatan Peninsula. There is a name for it, but can't remember.

Geological features...hmm. There is a very large basin now. Probably some local/regional scale ring faulting. I recall that tektites related to the impact have been discovered in Texas.

Finally the chemical signature is the iridium-rich stratigraphic layer.

[crosscountry]

well, the last part you have right. The others require more specific information.

[teddyv]

well, the last part you have right. The others require more specific information.

I kind of figured that, just running off the top of my head. I'd need to look up the specific info, but I'll wait to see of more guesses roll in.:)

[farmerjumperdon]

For location, it's Chicxulub.

For the features I'll go with the impact crater itself and the evidence of massive tsunamis from around that period throughout the Gulf of Mexico basin.

If for features you're looking for stuff on a smaller scale, I'd say tektites and shocked quartz.

Chemical signature, I'll second the iridium.

[crosscountry]

I guess I'm think of the current city located nearest the impact.

The town you name is close. It's also part of the second answer. The large geological feature is bigger.

[farmerjumperdon]

I guess I'm think of the current city located nearest the impact.

The town you name is close. It's also part of the second answer. The large geological feature is bigger.

With an impact crater well over 100 miles wide, there really isn't any one town nearest it, there are a bunch IN it.

For large features, are you looking for the globe-wide iridium layer?

[crosscountry]

no, sorry,

a hint might give it away. but I offer the definition to help


7. Geology
a. A flat elevated portion of ground.
b. The ancient, stable, interior layer of a continental craton composed of igneous or metamorphic rocks covered by a thin layer of sedimentary rock.

[crosscountry]

oh, and I'm looking for the city of which I have heard is near the center of the crater.

http://www.lpl.arizona.edu/SIC/impact_cratering/Chicxulub/gpcenotes.jpg


I've been there so it makes me feel good holding out on the answer. And no, Merida is not the city I'm thinking of.

[hhEb09'1]

a hint might give it away. but I offer the definition to helpThat's the definition of platform (http://www.answers.com/topic/platform).

[crosscountry]

yep, and what is the name of the Platform?


and the city name reminds me of a cheap pasta sauce

[pghnative]

With the help of Google, the Yucatan peninsula is a limestone platform, and the crater is near the town of Progresso. The platform is referred to as the Yucatan platform on some web-pages.

[crosscountry]

check! but Progreso is spelled with one s

I threw the Platform part in there to increase the difficulty a little.


Your go!

[pghnative]

What's the name of the River at bottom right in my avatar?

[crosscountry]

The Delaware?

[pghnative]

Nope

[hhEb09'1]

What's the name of the River at bottom right in my avatar?We know from your username that you are a Pittsburgh native, and I think I've found the actual view: The Duquesne Incline (http://www.incline.cc/). So, of the three rivers in the picture (:)), the river you've asked about is the Monongahela.

PS: Now that I look at it, it's even got the same clouds! :)

[pghnative]

Correct!

[hhEb09'1]

Pittsburgh looks so pretty. How's NJ, btw?

What is the newest county (parish, state subdivision, whatever) in the united states?

[pghnative]

Pittsburgh looks so pretty. How's NJ, btw?
Not as pretty -- at least not my section of it (near the giant petrochemical/industrial complex surrounding Newark). Although the NW and SE sections of the state do, in fact, live up to the "Garden State" moniker. It's just the NYC-to-Philadelphia swath that you want to avoid.

I'm guessing that crosscountry guessed "Delaware" since he saw I'm not in Jersey -- either that, or he got Pittsburgh and Philadelphia mixed up.


What is the newest county (parish, state subdivision, whatever) in the united states?I was going to guess the county surrounding Las Vegas, since that is one of the fastest growing areas of the US. But then I found that that county (Clark) was formed in 1908. Guess I'll have to look elsewhere.

[pghnative]

Found a more recent one: La Paz County, Arizona -- formed in 1983

[crosscountry]

I did think you were in Trenton or so and said Delaware. I've been to Phili and Pittsburg each many times.




hhEb09'1

Hawaii?

[hhEb09'1]

Found a more recent one: La Paz County, Arizona -- formed in 1983According to my sources, newer than that. This millennium in fact.

[Eroica]

The City and County of Broomfield, Colorado?


In the late 1990s, Broomfield made history. To help alleviate the problems and confusion in accessing services with the City of Broomfield being the only city in the state to lie in portions of four counties, residents sought relief in a constitutional amendment creating a City and County of Broomfield. The amendment passed on November 3, 1998, giving the city a three-year transition period in which to organize to become Colorado’s 64th county. The state’s newest county -- The City and County of Broomfield -- officially took effect on November 15, 2001.

Source (http://www.ci.broomfield.co.us/community.shtml)

[hhEb09'1]

The City and County of Broomfield, Colorado?That's the one that I was thinking of--there may be one newer, I dunno. :)

You're up, Eroica

[Eroica]

Staying in the US, I'm looking for a thoroughfare that is named after an Irishman, who in turn inspired two characters in a famous movie...

[Damien Evans]

would his first name be paddy?

[Eroica]

would his first name be paddy?
No.

[ggremlin]

I think the Tip O'Neil Tunnel is correctly named for reasons I will not go into.

[Eroica]

The movie stars Jack Nicholson.

[pghnative]

Hmmm -- does Irishman mean a citizen of Ireland, or can it mean an American of Irish descent?

I suspect the former, but in case it is the latter I'll guess John F Kennedy. There are probably lots of thoroughfare's named for him, but I'll guess the one in Tampa.

There was at least one Kennedy portrayed in Hoffa, hence the guess.

[hhEb09'1]

The movie stars Jack Nicholson.Chinatown? Hollis Mulwray and Claude Mulvihill? So, the thoroughfare would be Mulholland Drive, named after William Mulholland. Is that Irish?

[Eroica]

Chinatown? Hollis Mulwray and Claude Mulvihill? So, the thoroughfare would be Mulholland Drive, named after William Mulholland. Is that Irish?
:clap: That's the one. William Mulholland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Mulholland) was born in Belfast, so he was Irish in the truest sense of the word.

The characters I had in mind were Hollis Mulwray and Noah Cross (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_Cross).

You're up, hhEb09'1!

[hhEb09'1]

What is the average elevation of the solid surface of the earth?

[farmerjumperdon]

840 meters (above seas level of course).

[hhEb09'1]

I went back and forth in trying to word the question, but my intent was to include all the solid surface--including the bottom of the oceans.

[pghnative]

Hmm -- well, average depth of oceans is 3700m. Average height of continents is 800m. Oceans are 71% of surface are, so weighted average is 2400m. (below sea level)

Of course, doing it a different way (mass ocean = 1.4 10^21 kg), area earth = 5.1 10^7 km2, gives average depth (if world uniform water covered sphere) = 2700 m (again, below sea level) Either of these guesses correct??:p

edit to add that 2400 is probably the better guess, since latter calculation ignores actual density of oceans.

[hhEb09'1]

Hmm -- well, average depth of oceans is 3700m. Average height of continents is 800m. Oceans are 71% of surface are, so weighted average is 2400m. (below sea level)One of my sources said 3800mm average depth.
Of course, doing it a different way (mass ocean = 1.4 10^21 kg), area earth = 5.1 10^7 km2, gives average depth (if world uniform water covered sphere) = 2700 m (again, below sea level) Either of these guesses correct??:pYou didn't use the 71% factor in that calculation. If you do, it comes out close to 3800mm

2400mm below sea level is close enough. You're up!

[pghnative]

One of my sources said 3800mm average depth.You didn't use the 71% factor in that calculation. If you do, it comes out close to 3800mm
I wasn't clear about that calculation-- I was trying to answer your question by determining the volume of ocean water, and averaging it over the surface area of earth to determine what sea height would be if the solid portion of earth was a perfect sphere. This ignores non-ocean water, it ignores the fact that volume = Area* height isn't exact for spherical layers, etc., but it should give about the same value that you were looking for. Not sure what else is off -- perhaps ice caps are factoring in to one of the numbers somehow.


You're up! hmmm -- may take an hour or so. I actually need to do some work...

[pghnative]

OK -- let's try this one. I have no idea if it is too easy, or too hard. For variety, this is in Europe.

I consist of a group of political subdivisions (e.g. cities and towns; counties; states, etc.), but am not a political subdivision myself. My name is spelled the same as a type of cheese, but the cheese isn't named for me. My two largest cities also have names which are the same as common products.

[pghnative]

OK -- let's try this one. I have no idea if it is too easy, or too hard. For variety, this is in Europe.

I consist of a group of political subdivisions (e.g. cities and towns; counties; states, etc.), but am not a political subdivision myself. My name is spelled the same as a type of cheese, but the cheese isn't named for me. My two largest cities also have names which are the same as common products.
Hmm -- too obscure perhaps

Minor hints: the largest city's name is a type of tree, and the 2nd largest city is not a product per se, but rather something that would be copyrighted.

[hhEb09'1]

This ignores non-ocean water, it ignores the fact that volume = Area* height isn't exact for spherical layers, etc., but it should give about the same value that you were looking for. Not sure what else is off -- perhaps ice caps are factoring in to one of the numbers somehow.I'm not sure why it would work--in that calculation, the value of the avearge elevation of the dry land does not factor in at all.

A list of tree species (http://www.treehelp.com/trees/tree-species.asp)

[pghnative]

I'm not sure why it would work--in that calculation, the value of the avearge elevation of the dry land does not factor in at all.
of course --- don't quite know why I thought it would make sense to try it that way.

A list of tree species (http://www.treehelp.com/trees/tree-species.asp)The tree in question is either on that list or it isn't.:razz:

[Eroica]

Munster?

Munster (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munster_%28cheese%29) is a type of cheese

Cork (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phellodendron), the largest city in Munster, is a type of tree

Limerick (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limerick_%28poetry%29), the second largest city in Munster, could be copyrighted

:think:

[pghnative]

Correct!

Based on your location, you had a bit of an advantage.

[Eroica]

Who first discovered the South Shetland Islands?

[Arneb]

Tricky. There seems to be a dispute if it was Dirck Gerritsz in 1599 or Gabriel de Castilla in 1603.

That is impressive, I should say...

[Eroica]

Tricky. There seems to be a dispute if it was Dirck Gerritsz in 1599 or Gabriel de Castilla in 1603.
Whichever it was, they were there before William Smith, who is often credited with the discovery in 1819.

:clap: Take it away, Arneb!

[Arneb]

Thanks, Eroica
Here is one of my idiosyncratic moments:

I usually do my observing from near a private airport in the Southern part of the Franconian "Highlands", near Forchheim and Ebermannstadt.

What do you think does my location have to do with an American TV series of the 70s whose heroes were named Fred and Barney?

[hhEb09'1]

What do you think does my location have to do with an American TV series of the 70s whose heroes were named Fred and Barney?Is that a reference to the Flintstones (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053502/), a series of the 60s?

[crosscountry]

Thanks, Eroica
Here is one of my idiosyncratic moments:

I usually do my observing from near a private airport in the Southern part of the Franconian "Highlands", near Forchheim and Ebermannstadt.

What do you think does my location have to do with an American TV series of the 70s whose heroes were named Fred and Barney?


man, I was in N&#252;rnberg on Sunday. I didn't realize you were so close.


I'm pretty sure Flint and Stones is right. Is there are big flint deposit there? I've found some information suggesting so.

[Arneb]

Is that a reference to the Flintstones (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053502/), a series of the 60s?

Correct, the Flintstones. Sorry about the wrong decade.


man, I was in N&#252;rnberg on Sunday. I didn't realize you were so close.


I'm pretty sure Flint and Stones is right. Is there are big flint deposit there? I've found some information suggesting so.
Well, it's not that far - let me know when you are around next time :) .
I don't know about flint deeposits there. Think language.

[Arneb]

Mmmmh, what a pity . Maybe I can get the riddle rolling again with a hint:

Follw the A73 northward from Forchheim, and leave at the Buttenheim exit. Turn East. Not going into the city, follow the Bundesstraße until you enter the
piece of highland wedged int there between Buttenheim and Ebermannstadt. That's my observation area. A sufficiently detailled map should give you the clue to the solution.

[crosscountry]

there is a quarry - where Fred and Barney worked!

[Casus_belli]

Is the region Neanderthal?

[Arneb]

No the last two...
Casus belli, the Neandertal is in the west of Germany, near Düsseldorf. The citiy is located on the Lower Rhine.

Cross, you would be especially well suited to solve this case: You already know some German...;)

[crosscountry]

I just knew my quarry answer was right.


I think I found the private airport, but don't see what you're asking for.

[Arneb]

Funny enough, the private airport is very close to my observing site. Ther is a little field road south of the airport. On Google Earth, it leads to a bright little square. That is the location of the local astonomy club's observatory - a very posh affair, complete with observing cupola, and 1 m radio telescope. I am not a member, but I usually place my telescope there - I figured if they built I multithousand Euro observatory there, the observing conditions would probably be OK. They are.

You can solve the riddle perusing Google Earth alone. I just confirmed that...

[Eroica]

There's a Burg Feuerstein nearby. Was there a Firestone Castle in The Flintstines?

[Arneb]

Hmmmm, this is astonishing: How you can get so close to the solution and still miss it: No, Feuerstein is simply German for Flintstone - and there ist the connection! :)

Since you were there by a hair's width, I suggest, you take over Eroica :clap:.

[Eroica]

Hmmmm, this is astonishing: How you can get so close to the solution and still miss it: No, Feuerstein is simply German for Flintstone
D'oh! :wall:

I need to brush up on my German vocab!

What, geographically speaking, is significant about the date 11 March 1521? (Actually, the precise date is a little uncertain, but that's as close as I can pin it down.)

[ggremlin]

The Philippine Islands were "discovered" by Magillian in 1521.

[Eroica]

The Philippine Islands were "discovered" by Magillian in 1521.
That was 16 March 1521 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1521)!

[Eroica]

Hint: ggremlin is warm! He's in the right part of the world.

[Maksutov]

Sounds like the approximate date Magellan discovered Guam.

[ggremlin]

Magellan sailed over the 180th parallel, can't call it the International Date Line.

[Eroica]

No, neither of those is the milestone I have in mind, but you're both close.

Magellan "discovered" Guam on 6 March 1521 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Guam#.22Discovery.22) and reached the Philippines on 16 March. So, something historic occurred en route between the two... :think:

[ggremlin]

A speed or distance record, perhaps?

[hhEb09'1]

No, neither of those is the milestone I have in mind, but you're both close.

Magellan "discovered" Guam on 6 March 1521 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Guam#.22Discovery.22) and reached the Philippines on 16 March. So, something historic occurred en route between thw two... :think:Halfway between Guam and the Philippines is...not much. Hmm, but antipodally...

I'm guessing the milestone is the crossing of the Line of Tordessillas (http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa112999a.htm), back out of "Spanish" territory.

[Eroica]

No, that's not what I'm thinking of. It's connected with Magellan's earlier voyage to this part of the world... :think:

[ciderman]

Did he reach the same area as previously visited(from the other direction)?
So achived the first effective circumnavigation(or produced first charts of a navigable route all the way around)?

[crosscountry]

does anyone have access to JSTOR?

http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-8762(189810)4%3A1%3C38%3ATOOTCQ%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J

[ciderman]

Afraid not.
:doh: Manage to squint my way though that page, & then spot the enlarged page size option.
Got to walk past the Cabot Tower here in a little while though:)
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/follies/cabot.html
Best view in Bristol up there (IMO).

[crosscountry]

that's weird. the search I did pulled up that page, but now it doesn't say "March 11, 1521"

[Eroica]

Did he reach the same area as previously visited(from the other direction)?
So achived the first effective circumnavigation(or produced first charts of a navigable route all the way around)?
:clap: Correct!

If a circumnavigation is defined in terms of crossing all the meridians of longitude in the same direction, then Magellan (and his slave Enrique) completed the first circumnavigation of the globe on or around 11 March 1521 (though no one seems to have realized this at the time!).

In 1512, while still employed by the Portuguese crown, Magellan visited the Banda Islands in the Moluccas (longitude 130 E). By my reckoning he reached that meridian on his Spanish voyage on or after 11 March 1521. Actually, it might have been closer to the 13th or 14th. :think:


Your turn, ciderman

[Maksutov]

No, that's not what I'm thinking of. It's connected with Magellan's earlier voyage to this part of the world... :think:A WAG: it between those two dates (3-6 and 3-16) that Magellan became the first (documented) person to cross all the Earth's meridians.

Rev. 1: Oh well, too late, I didn't see the earlier responses when I posted this.

[hhEb09'1]

If a circumnavigation is defined in terms of crossing all the meridians of longitude in the same direction, Puzzle: (Using 16th century technology) can you cross all the meridians without having done all of the them in the same direction?

[ciderman]

Using 16th century Inuit technology I imagine it was possible to reach the north pole, where it's possible to cross all the meridians in whichever direction you choose(clockwise around the pole to go west, anticlockwise for west).

My question:dance: ;
Which large river changes its direction of flow twice each year?

[Maksutov]

Using 16th century Inuit technology I imagine it was possible to reach the north pole, where it's possible to cross all the meridians in whichever direction you choose(clockwise around the pole to go west, anticlockwise for west).

My question:dance: ;
Which large river changes its direction of flow twice each year?The St. Johns River, where it enters the Atlantic via the Bay of Fundy, although I thought it was more often than twice a year. I've kayaked that sucker, albeit in the non-brackish waters back in the State of Maine. Good whitewater there.

Twice a year, I'd guess the Nile.

[ciderman]

St Johns River


At its mouth, within the city of St. John, are the Reversing Falls Rapids, caused by the strong tides of the Bay of Fundy, which force the river to reverse its flow at high tide.
Source
http://columbia.thefreedictionary.com/Saint+Johns+River+(United+States)
That's tidal, twice a day, I'm just a couple of hundred yards from a river which does that!(second highest tidal range in the world here, on the edge of the Severn estuary)

The Nile floods annually(now less so because of dams), but only flows one way.
The one I'm on about flows one way for part of the year, & the opposite direction during the other part(both periods lasting for months).
So, no, sorry not those.

[ciderman]

Time for a hint?
Average yearly flow (1997-2001) was 70.4 km3 in one direction, & 40.7 km3 the over way!
(& I've just worked out how to do this :))

[Pleiades]

How about The Tonle Sap. It changes directions due to the Mekong.

http://www.cambodianonline.net/homerivers.htm

[ciderman]

Thats the one!
Nice informative link there Pleiades.
& lots of scientific info here (& the source for my figures)
http://www.eia.fi/wup-fin/wup-fin1/index.html
Congratulations & your go!

[Pleiades]

Sorry for the delay. This is a place I'm trying to work into my vacation plans.

Clue:
Approximately 10 percent of the country is glaciated, the interior of the country is a cold and uninhabitable combination of sands and mountains.

[farmerjumperdon]

How about The Tonle Sap. It changes directions due to the Mekong.

http://www.cambodianonline.net/homerivers.htm

I did not know that. Fascinating.

[farmerjumperdon]

Wild guess coming:

Mongolia.

[ciderman]

My guess is Iceland.
It's the 10% glaciation which makes me think that, I can't think of any other country with that proportion.

[crosscountry]

Sorry for the delay. This is a place I'm trying to work into my vacation plans.

Clue:
Approximately 10 percent of the country is glaciated, the interior of the country is a cold and uninhabitable combination of sands and mountains.

is Greenland a country? I pick Greenland.

[farmerjumperdon]

is Greenland a country? I pick Greenland.

Nope. It has been granted home rule, but is not represented internationally as a soverign nation. It is a part of Denmark.

[ggremlin]

How about Switzerland?

[crosscountry]

Tibet comes to mind; Nepal rather.

[crosscountry]

http://photos.crosscountryadventures.us/albums/userpics/10001/normal_Greenland_eastcoast.jpg

image from Wikipedia, Greenland is mostly ice and mountains.

[Pleiades]

My guess is Iceland.
It's the 10% glaciation which makes me think that, I can't think of any other country with that proportion.


You are correct cidermand, Iceland it is.

[ciderman]

Ok,
Here's one I discovered the other day.
Which capital city sits above a canyon some 8000 feet deep?

[crosscountry]

directly above or near? I can think of a couple that don't sit at the edge of a canyon

[ciderman]

Directly above:)
This city is the countries capital.

[crosscountry]

La Paz Bolivia?

http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/southamerica/a/BolLaPaz.htm

it varies in elevation up to 4000m

[crosscountry]

oops, that's below.

[teddyv]

Quito, Ecuador?

[ciderman]

Nope, sorry guys, wrong continent.

[ggremlin]

Is this a dry or wet canyon? ;)

[ciderman]

Hmm, wet I'd say, but not in the way you'd think;)
It's not currently undergoing erosion

[ggremlin]

I was thinking of Underwater(submarine) canyons, the Hudson canyon system off the coast of New York State. Not an answer, only example.

[ciderman]

Good example!
Yes, although some 8000 foot deep, overwhelmingly most of this canyon is now below sea level.
It's not a coastal city though.

Edit:Perhaps not that good an example though. I don't won't to give too much away, but it's not really a submarine canyon;)

[crosscountry]

looks like Tokyo fits that description

[ciderman]

Sorry crosscountry, had to do a bit of revisionism after I checked my facts:(

[ciderman]

Time for some more detail?

This canyon, though quite young geologically, has now been filled nearly to its brim by sediments. The city sits on top of these, hence it's directly above the canyon:)
These deposits have not entirely filled the canyon though, cliffs & escarpments up to 1000 feet high line the 10 to 15 mile wide flat bottomed valley though which the river now flows.

[crosscountry]

your use of miles really confuses me. Washington DC is the capital of the only country in the world still using miles.

[ciderman]

England, Wales, Scotland, Liberia & Myanmar still use miles, not just the US(its not any of those though). Sorry if it's confusing but it's easy to convert, 1 mile = 1.609km
Oh, & 1 meter = 3.281 feet if that's a help.

[crosscountry]

I know the conversions. LOL

[hhEb09'1]

but it's easy to convert, 1 mile = 1.609km1 mile = 1.609344 km, exactly :)

[crosscountry]

1.60934400579 more precisely....

[crosscountry]

exact is a strong word ;)

[hhEb09'1]

1.60934400579 more precisely....Well, I suppose different countries might have different conventions, but in the US, 1 mile = 1.609344 km exactly.
exact is a strong word ;)exactly :)

[ciderman]

Should have known better than to round up(or down) around here:rolleyes:


I know the conversions. LOL
Oh, right:lol:
I was just confused about the nature of your confusion :eh:

More clues?

[crosscountry]

Nambia on the Fish River Canyon?

[ggremlin]

Sacramento of the People's Republic of California?

[Eroica]

Some relevant hints that seem to have been forgotten:
It is the capital city of a country.
It is not a coastal city.
It is not in South America.

And while I'm posting I might as well guess ... oh, let's say Nairobi.

[ciderman]

Heh, some good guesses there but nope, not those.
Is there a buried canyon beneath Sacramento? And concerning the People's Republic of Califonia, I know nothing, comrade;)
Fish river canyon is far older, shorter & shallower than the one I'm one about (nice canyon though).
Thanks Eroica, couple more(about the canyon) being;
at least 8000 feet deep,
now mainly below sea level,
now mostly filled with sediment.

[ggremlin]

Iffy guess, Istanbul, Turkey. Depends on your definition of coastal.:think: