Video of Vandals Destroying Ancient Rock Formation at Lake Mead Is So Disheartening
The world is full of strikingly beautiful rock formations that look like they were carved by an artisan yet were naturally formed over millions, sometimes billions, of years. When you look at something like the Garden of the Gods, the Grand Canyon, or the Giant's Causeway, it's humbling to think how small of a blip we are in the vast expanse of geological time that formed these natural marvels.
Unfortunately, not everyone can appreciate this beauty, preferring to destroy millions of years of creation in a few brief moments. That's what happened earlier this April, when a pair of vandals were caught on camera thoughtlessly destroying an ancient rock formation at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada.
David Muir of @abcworldnews reports that authorities are searching for the two vandals shown here, destroying tens of millions of years of work within a few moments. Despite the little girl that was with them screaming in the background, the two men, apparently consumed with a feverish idiocy, quickly reduced the ancient rock formations into red dust. Why? Your guess is a good as mine.
Lake Mead's Amazing Redstone Trail
The formations destroyed by the vandals were part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area's incredible Redstone Trail. According to the National Park Service, the area's Mars-red sandstone shapes were once vast dunes more than 140 million years ago. Over the ages, the sands hardened into rock and were eroded down into these striking swirled formations and natural caves. Unfathomable stretches of time carved out this beautiful marvel, only for a couple of bored losers to deface it just 'cuz.
Unfortunately for these two careless tourists (and fortunately for everyone who cares about preserving nature), they messed up. The Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which lies about 30 miles outside of Las Vegas, is under the care of the National Park Service, and its rock features are federally protected. By irreversibly destroying these ancient rock formations, these vandals put themselves on the feds' radar - big mistake.
Authorities Are Seeking Information
CNN reports that Lake Mead's park rangers suspect these two men of vandalism, and if caught, they could face major penalties, including federal charges, massive fines, and jail time. Seriously, these guys picked the wrong rocks to mess with!
On Instagram, the Lake Mead NPS posted a close-up of the two perps with a public call to action. "If you were on the Redstone Dunes Trail on the evening of Sunday, April 7, 2024, or if you have information that could help identify the suspects, please submit a tip."
If you have any information that could aid in the investigation, the NPS requests that you call their tip line at 888-653-0009, or contact them online through their "Submit a Tip" portal.
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