Geological Rings

A weekly meta crossword created by members of the forum. Difficulty levels will vary. Hints are usually available starting Wednesday, and solutions are posted on Sunday.
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Bird Lives
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Geological Rings

#1

Post by Bird Lives »

A misalignment of the stars brings you two consecutive metas from the same constructor. What can I say? I mean, when Mercury goes retrograde, who knows what fiascos may arise?

Today’s puzzle uses a style of mechanism I’ve never tried before. The level of difficulty is a notch above most of the MMMs I’ve posted lately.

The puzzle steps into the Hit Parade spotlight to ask the musical question
What might replace the isolated black squares to get an iconic #1 song from the 1950s?

Nudges will appear Wednesday.

Thanks to @Abide and @Al Sisti for test-solving and advice, and to @Joe Ross, without whom none of what you see below on this post would be there.

Geological Rings crosshare

Geological Rings PUZ

Geological Rings PDF

Geological Rings spreadsheet


Image
Jay
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benchen71
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#2

Post by benchen71 »

Off the couch! Loved it. :D
Check out "The MOAT MEOW Mashup Pack" here. US$10 for 14 metas that don't always abide by the "rules" of the game: asymmetry, 2-letter words, uncrossed letters, who knows. And this time there's a mega-meta! :shock:
Schmeel
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#3

Post by Schmeel »

Off the couch.
Thanks for the puzzle!
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boharr
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#4

Post by boharr »

Couch vacated. Thanks for the fun puzzle.
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Cinny
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#5

Post by Cinny »

Off the couch. Great way to start my Monday. Thanks!
Cindy Heisler
Qmark
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#6

Post by Qmark »

Off the couch...fun puzzle...thanks Jay!
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KayW
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#7

Post by KayW »

:crossed_swords: :rabbit: :couch_and_lamp: Fun one - thanks!
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
hoover
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#8

Post by hoover »

OTC!
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ChrisKochmanski
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Location: Saline, Michigan

#9

Post by ChrisKochmanski »

OTC!
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Cap'n Rick
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#10

Post by Cap'n Rick »

Nice one, Jay! OTC.
Ahoy! Check out my meta puzzles here! Check out "Smooth Sailing Sundays" here!
MatthewL
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Location: Atlanta, GA

#11

Post by MatthewL »

Off the couch! Thanks for the puzzle, Jay!
Matthew
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rjy
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#12

Post by rjy »

OTC... clever and fun, Jay, not to mention earworm-inducing too!
Ray
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lbray53
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Location: Elkhorn, WI

#13

Post by lbray53 »

OTC. Guessed the answer and backsolved the mechanism. I think Jay may have been generous in accepting my answer.
My avatar proves that it is sometimes better to be lucky than good!
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CPJohnson
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#14

Post by CPJohnson »

OTC! Thanks, Jay!
Cynthia
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hcbirker
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#15

Post by hcbirker »

Off the couch! Great puzzle and "aha" for me!
Heidi
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woozy
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#16

Post by woozy »

Great! Over the counter and off the couch.

But I have one question about the meta and two about the grid.
I guess I should change my signature, and start promoting this meta: Hungry Little Creature. I was going to sent it to people for testing but I dropped the ball on it.
Dave C
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#17

Post by Dave C »

off the couch
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ajk
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#18

Post by ajk »

Got it after some initial confusion of my own making. Very fun stuff, thanks.
Check out this very cool project by many of your favorite muggles to raise money to fight cancer. You get a fun puzzle bundle and good causes get $. Win-win: Crosswords for Cancer
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Meg
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#19

Post by Meg »

OTC. Lovely way to start the day. Thanks, Jay.
Check out and support http://CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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MarkWoychick
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#20

Post by MarkWoychick »

Thanks, Jay! OTC, and the week is off to a good start
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 contest-style (meta) crosswords that we've created to help raise money for cancer-related organizations - get the bundle at http://crosswordsforcancer.com
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