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A video on X shows travelers destroying an ancient rock formation. The damage is irreparable. The act caused anger and incomprehension online.
Frankfurt – Two unknown people destroyed an ancient rock formation in Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada, USA, in just a few seconds. A video showing the two men in the act has been circulating on X (formerly Twitter) since the beginning of April. The national park authorities have therefore initiated an investigation and are asking the general public to help find the perpetrators.
Men destroy rock formation in protected area – perpetrators face fine or prison sentence
The video shows two tourists, one in a red shirt and the other in a black shirt, climbing the rock formation on the Redstone Trail, one of the preserve's most popular hiking trails. They loosen rocks and push them over an edge. A frightened girl who accompanies them begs her father not to fall. The falling pieces of sandstone shatter with a loud crash.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area park rangers are now seeking information about the two men suspected of vandalism. John Haynes, spokesman for the national park, told Fox 5 KVVU-TV that the suspects could face prison time, a large fine or even federal charges. “Why would you even do something like that, why on earth would you do something like that?” asked Haynes. A Rome tourist is also facing a hefty fine after carving his name into a historic wall.
“What a terrible father”: Destructive action causes incomprehension online
Reactions to the video on social media have been intense. An “Lock her up,” was his call. The girl's reaction is also discussed. “What a terrible father,” one user commented. Another regretted that the “poor little girl” had to grow up with such a role model.
Haynes explained that it is difficult to be present everywhere with the existing staffing levels. “The area is 1.5 million hectares. We have two large lakes, part of the Colorado River,” the press secretary said. He therefore emphasized the importance of the public also being vigilant. Visitors to the national park should, if possible, inform the rangers immediately if they notice any suspicious activity. Also In Yellowstone National Park, the ecosystem is in danger of collapsing due to travelers.
Expert explains: Damage to rock formations is irreparable
Elizabeth Cottrell, a geologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, confirmed to the postthat the damage caused by men is irreparable. The fallen rocks cannot simply be returned to their original location and fixed there. “If you restore it, it becomes anthropogenic. It’s more art than something natural,” Cottrell explained. This does not create awe for nature.
Matthew Lachniet, a geologist at the University of Nevada, told the newspaper that the rock formations are several million years old. He is convinced that they would not have broken without human intervention. “They would have slowly decayed, sand grain by sand grain, over the course of hundreds of thousands to millions of years,” says Lachniet.
The vast recreation area in the USA offers breathtaking mountain vistas, canyon trails and two significant reservoirs on the Colorado River, which straddle the Nevada-Arizona border. Water sports at the Lake Mead reservoir attract six million visitors every year. The population is not always happy about so many crowds, which is why Amsterdam recently decided on further measures to combat mass tourism.
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