The Landscape of Central Texas, Essay Example

The landscape of central Texas is typified by gently rolling plains. Creeks and rivers traverse the landscape, at times creating deep fissures and dramatic cliffs at it cuts away at the limestone surface. Cold water springs burst up from the underground, clues to the powerful forces at work below the surface (University of Texas at Austin). Underground a hidden world awaits to be discovered. Deep within the Natural Bridge Caverns cave system sunlight rarely, if ever, reaches, the inhabitants. To venture below the surface and explore the cave world of Natural Bridge Caverns is to explore a living cave system that is a vital link in the Edwards Aquifer system, the life force of Central Texas.

Natural Bridge Caverns plays an important role in recharging the Edwards Aquifer. As rain water is channeled down below the surface through the cave, it is purified through the limestone (Natural Bridge Caverns). This process helps to keep the water of the Edwards Aquifer pure and clean. As water percolates down from the surface through the limestone of the cave, it deposits dissolved calcium, and creates the stunning stalagmites and stalactites that dominate its inner caverns. The smell of moist rock hangs permeates the cave, rich and earthy. The smell, combined with the dramatic visual scene of intricately spiraled columns of limestone that have been created by the dripping action of water of millions of years, creates a feast for the senses. Stalactites are formed from the ceiling, when the water drips from the surface to the floor. Stalagmites are formed on the floor of the cave, rising up to meet stalactites in stunning and dramatic formations that are a living example of the power of water over time (University of Texas at Austin). Natural Bridge Caverns is a series of rooms, caves, each of which has been formed from dripping water, slowly eroding at the limestone over millenia.

The interior of the cave maintains a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit year round (Natural Bridge Caverns).  When temperatures above ground can soar to well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, visitors can seek the cool and humid environment of Natural Bridge Caverns for relief. Water is constantly trickling through the cave, slowly eroding away at the limestone, making the caverns larger and the delicate formations of stalactites and stalagmites larger and more intricate.  During heavy rains, the gentle rivers and creeks that traverse the cave swell and can fill the entire cave room (University of Texas at Austin). While the cave system may seem quiet and peaceful in one moment, it can change in a moment. Massive amounts of water can rush in from a tributary upstream, roaring down to flood the chambers and deposit new life in the form of calcium throughout the cave system. Creatures have adapted to life inside Natural Bridge Caverns. Small blind salamanders and fish patrol the silent, pitch black depths of the cave system, having lost their eyesight millions of years ago when their ancestors wandered into the subterranean world (University of Texas at Austin). While their sight was lost, other sensory perceptions such as smell and hearing were increased, and they are able to now navigate their dark world with precision and ease.

Ancient inhabitants of central Texas were not unaware of the presence of these majestic caverns. Inside, archeologists have found arrowheads and carvings from ancient humans. Fossilized bones of prehistoric animals have also been found, attesting to the fact that these caves can be dangerous places if one wanders in and loses their way in the dark and twisting caverns that lead deeper and deeper into the heart of central Texas (Natural Bridge Caverns). Modern day visitors also wander into the depths of Natural Bridge Caverns looking for the unique minerals that can be found growing here. Quartz, sapphire, ruby, topaz, emerald, and amethyst have all been found growing Natural Bridge Caverns, and visitors today are invited to “pan” for these precious minerals (Natural Bridge Caverns).

Leaving the sunlight soaked world of central Texas and descending 180 feet below the surface into the dark, cool depths of Natural Bridge Caverns allows the visitor to experience life where the sun never shines (Texas Travel Industry Association). A world where life has evolved at a pace all its own that is a feast to the senses of smell and sound. The glittering formations and crystals that decorate the caverns attest to the power of natures natural processes, which can create beauty even in pitch black darkness, beauty awaiting to be discovered by adventures from above who bring with them their eyes that can see.

References

Kathy Hill “Natural Bridge Caverns celebrates 50 years of discovery” Texas Travel Industry  Association . 17 March, 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010 fromhttp://www.ttia.org/news/38572/News-from-Members-Natural-Bridge-Caverns-Celebrates-50-Years-of-Discov.htm

“Natural Bridge Caverns” Natural Bridge Caverns. 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2010 from http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/

“Virtual Field Trip to Natural Bridge Caverns” University of Texas at Austin 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2010 from http://www.esi.utexas.edu/outreach/caves/virtualtours.php