Inner Space Cavern
From Free net encyclopedia
Image:Inner space 2005.jpg Inner Space Cavern is a Karst cave located at 30°36.47N, 97°41.27W, near Georgetown, Texas. The cave was discovered by the Texas Highway Department in 1963 during the construction of Interstate 35. There were no known openings to the cave before this time; however, some filled-in sinkholes have been found. Several miles of cave passage have been surveyed, with many sections of the cave remaining unexplored, due to filled-in areas blocking passage.
The caverns were carved by water through limestone. The caverns are estimated to be 90-100 million years old but only had an opening to the surface since the late Pleistocene period 20-45,000 years ago, evidenced by finds of mammoth and sabre-toothed cat bones.
The cave was opened to the public in 1966. Visitors enter via a cablecar which is lowered into the cave. Tours are available of this easily accessed cavern, with some 10,000 feet (3 km) of passage being open to the public. However, non-public passages are well-guarded and independent exploration is not allowed. Light shows and displays in passages further remind spelunkers that the cave is a commercial venture.