Category |
Count |
Database Date: |
2016-11-22 |
Database Records: |
15,065 |
Caves: |
5,621 |
Sinks/Cavities: |
4,453 |
Shelters: |
950 |
Springs: |
3,255 |
Undefined: |
237 |
Rumored: |
312 |
Aesthetic caves: |
149 |
Archeologically significant: |
442 |
Bad air caves: |
247 |
Bat caves: |
344 |
Biologically significant: |
757 |
Endangered species: |
342 |
Geologically significant: |
256 |
Historically significant: |
274 |
Hydrologically significant: |
491 |
Paleontologically significant: |
155 |
Number of Texas counties with karst records: |
200 |
Number of records with linked Maps: |
2,905 |
Records with linked photos: |
1,808 |
Records with location coordinates: |
11,104 |
Records with only the topographic map specified: |
2,557 |
Lost Caves - no location or topographic Map: |
844 |
|
Definitions:
|
NOTE: The numbers in the right hand column won't add up to the total number of database records because some records have multiple designations, such as cave and spring.
|
Database records:
The total number of database records representing prominent karst features: caves, sinks, cavities, shelters, and springs.
|
Cave:
A humanly passable subsurface cavity at least 5 meters in traverse length, where no dimension of the entrance exceeds the length.
|
Sinks/Cavities:
Prominent karst features that don't meet the definition of a cave, shelter, or spring.
|
Shelter:
A humanly enterable horizontal recess in a cliff face created by an overhang.
|
Spring:
A naturally occurring cavity or area from which water emerges. Can also be a cave.
|
Undefined:
Karst records that haven't been identified as a cave, sink, cavity, shelter, or spring.
|
Rumored:
A record entered on the basis of a reported rumor that hasn’t been verified.
|
Archeologically Significant:
A record flagged due to known archeological activity or observed material. Typically a sensitive location for visitation.
|
Biologically Significant:
A record flagged due to presence of biological species of unusual diversity and/or uniqueness.
|
Endangered Species:
A record flagged due to presence of biological species of endangered status.
|
Geologically Significant:
A record flagged due to presence of unusual or unique mineralogical, structural, and/or lithological features.
|
Historically Significant:
A record flagged due to presence of artifacts, signatures, and/or other material older than 50 years that has historical importance, yet is not prehistoric. May be site of historic event.
|
Hydrologically Significant:
Caves or features of notable importance to aquifers for their capacity to recharge and discharge groundwater, relatively high potential to pollute aquifers if they recharge contaminants, and/or their utility in monitoring karst aquifers.
|
Paleontologically Significant:
A record flagged due to presence of paleontological material that is recognized or inferred to be of importance.
|
Number of Texas Counties with recorded karst data:
The number of counties in the State of Texas with at least one record in the database.
|
Number of records with location data:
The number of records in the database having a recorded location in both UTM and LAT/LON. The TSS currently records location data using the NAD83/WGS84 datum.
|
Number of records without location data - Topographic Map defined:
The number of TSS records without a UTM or LAT/LON location but with a Topographic Map Defined.
|
Lost Caves - no location or Topographic Map:
The number of caves without any location data, i.e., UTM or Lat/Lon and no topographic map. Some of these have very thorough maps and reports.
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