Cave Videos
The History of Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas
Presented by: Brian Vauter, Cavern Geologist and Operations Manager, Natural Bridge Caverns
Summary: Brian Vauter explains how the Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered. He describes the amazingly diverse rooms, the crystal pools, and some of the fossil remains found within the cave.
Stewardship and Conservation Efforts in Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas
Presented by: Brian Vauter, Cavern Geologist and Operations Manager, Natural Bridge Caverns
Summary: Brian Vauter discusses how commercializing portions of a cave can help preserve and protect other caves and passages. Natural Bridge Caverns tours introduce visitors to the sensitivity, beauty, and importance of cave systems.
Components of our Karst System, Austin, Texas
Presented by: Nico Hauwert, Hydrogeologist, City of Austin
Summary: As a portion of the ESI’s Barton Springs Field Workshop, Nico reviews the common features of the Edwards Aquifer karst system. He defines sinkholes, sinking streams, karst aquifers, and the recharge zone.
Characteristics of the Edwards Karst Aquifer
Presented by: Jay Banner, Director, Environmental Science Institute and Professor in Geological Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin
Nico Hauwert, Hydrogeologist, City of Austin
Summary: Jay and Nico discuss the characteristics of the Edwards Aquifer. Jay describes the depositional environment that formed the highly permeable rocks of the Edwards Limestone, and Nico discusses the traits of the mineral calcite.
The Discovery of Inner Space Cavern, Texas
Presented by: Jim Sansom, Geologist
Summary: Jim was the second person into Inner Space Cavern after it was discovered by the Texas Department of Transportation in the 1960’s. He explains what it was like to be one of the first inside such an enormous cave.
How did we find Inner Space Cavern, Texas
Presented by: Jim Sansom, Geologist
Summary: Jim Sansom explains how Inner Space Cavern is directly above Interstate Highway 35. If the Texas Department of Transportation had not put an overpass there, and if they had not drilled, Inner Space Cavern would probably still be undiscovered.
The Fossils of Inner Space Cavern, Texas
Presented by: Ernest Lundelius, Professor Emeritus in Vertebrate Paleontology at the University of Texas
Summary: The fossil remains in the three-bone sinks in Inner Space Cavern have been dated to be of roughly 13 thousand, 15 thousand, and 24 thousand years old. Ernie describes several of the animals represented by the fossils and explains the significance of the findings.
Sonora’s Remarkable Formations, Texas
Featuring: Bill Sawyer, George Veni, Mike Osborne, Jay Banner, and Jerri Ingham
Editing by: Molly Green
Through UT’s former UTOPIA program, ESI developed this cave resource. We hope you find it useful!