Hardness Testing of Strike and Dip Surfaces In the Conococheague Formation

The goal of this research is to investigate influences on rock weathering in the Conococheague Formation near Shepherdstown, WV. Weathering of rock is a crucial earth process by being part of the formation of soils. This research was conducted on the Cambrian aged Conococheague Formation, a thick limestone interbedded with dolostone. A type N Schmidt Hammer was used to record rock hardness on both the strike and dip surfaces of outcrops at 28 field sites. Other variables measured at each site included differences in lithology, formation strike and dip, outcrop orientation, and site exposure. T-test and ANOVA statistical tests were used to determine significance of all the variables. The T-test revealed there is a significant difference of rock hardness between the strike and dip surfaces. ANOVA showed that there is a statistically significant difference in hardness between the different lithologies and dip angles, and no significant difference in outcrop exposure or orientation.