Treasured Texas Cave Feature Known as the `Butterfly' Vandalized at Caverns of Sonora.$20,000 Reward Offered for Safe Return of Priceless price·less adj. 1. Of inestimable worth; invaluable. 2. Highly amusing, absurd, or odd: a priceless remark. Formation SONORA, Texas Sonora is a city in Sutton County, Texas, United States. It is the county seat of Sutton CountyGR6. Geography Sonora is located at (30.568166, -100.644163)GR1. -- One of America's greatest speleological treasures was vandalized last month at the Caverns of Sonora The Caverns of Sonora, a National Natural Landmark [1], is a unique cave located eight miles west of the town of Sonora, Texas. It is a world-class cave due to its stunning array of calcite crystal formations, especially helictites. , a family-owned attraction in west Texas. The Caverns of Sonora is a National Natural Landmark The National Natural Landmark (NNL) program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the United States' natural history. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and due in part to the phenomenal display of speleothems known as "helictites" and in particular "bladed helictites," rare and beautiful cave formations. Cavern officials believe on November 21, 2006, a group of visitors intentionally and knowingly distracted a tour guide with the intent of destroying the cavern's most famous formation, know as the Butterfly, a bladed helictite A helictite is a speleothem found in limestone caves that changes its axis from the vertical at one or more stages during its growth. They have a curving or angular form that looks as if they were grown in zero gravity. . A piece of the upper right wing of the formation, which measures approximately 4 u inches long and 3 u inches wide was broken off in an act of senseless sense·less adj. 1. Lacking sense or meaning; meaningless. 2. Deficient in sense; foolish or stupid. 3. Insensate; unconscious. destruction. "This particular formation is what the Caverns of Sonora is known for -- the Butterfly is our trademark," said Seco Mayfield, co-owner of the caverns with sister Gerry Ingham. "We are now seeking to find the individuals responsible for this act and trying to recover the missing piece that has taken many thousands of years to be created," Mayfield continued. Cavern officials are working with local, county and state officials to retrieve records related to visitors on the day the vandalism occurred. A preliminary investigation revealed a visitor from the Houston area as a possible suspect. Sutton County officials ask anyone who has knowledge of this crime to contact them at phone 325-387-2288. The national caving community is also getting involved, including the National Speleological Society The National Speleological Society (NSS) is an organization formed in 1941 to advance the exploration, conservation, study, and understanding of caves in the United States. Originally located in Washington D.C., its current offices are in Huntsville, Alabama. that made a $1,000 pledge. Mayfield's son Ed said that people from all over the country are interested in helping and as a result, his family has set up a fund for contributions. "The support shown has been huge," said Ed Mayfield. The $20,000 reward will be issued for information related to the safe return of the formation. The Caverns of Sonora is a natural cave that is one of the most active caves in the world. The attraction is situated on Mayfield Caverns Ranch, approximately 8 miles west of Sonora, Texas. For more information or to see additional photos, please visit www.cavernsofsonora.com. |
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