 Grotte des Faux-Monnayeurs, Switzerland Speleology is the scientific study of caves and other karst features, their make-up, structure, physical properties, history, life forms, and the processes by which they form (speleogenesis) and change over time (speleomorphology). The term speleology is also sometimes applied to the recreational activity of exploring caves, but this is more properly known as caving, spelunking or potholing. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1512x1010, 96 KB) Grotte des Faux-Monayeurs, Suisse. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1512x1010, 96 KB) Grotte des Faux-Monayeurs, Suisse. ...
Lechuguilla Cave, New Mexico A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to enter. ...
Karst topography occurs when a landscape is marked by underground drainage patterns. ...
Speleogenesis is the origin and development of dissolution caves, the primary process that determines essential features of the hydrogeology of karst and guides its evolution. ...
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling for the purpose of discovery, e. ...
Caving frequently involves a lot of mud. ...
Speleology is a cross-disciplinary field that combines the knowledge of chemistry, biology, geology, meteorology and cartography to develop portraits of caves as complex, evolving systems. Chemistry - the study of atoms, made of nuclei (conglomeration of center particles) and electrons (outer particles), and the structures they form. ...
This article does not cite any references or sources. ...
This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ...
Satellite image of Hurricane Hugo with a polar low visible at the top of the image. ...
Mapmaker redirects here. ...
History
Prior to the mid-ninteenth century the scientific value of caves was considered only in its contribution to other branches of science, and cave studies were considered part of the larger disciplines of geography, geology or archaeology. Very little cave-specific study was undertaken prior to the work of Édouard-Alfred Martel (1859 - 1938), the 'father of modern speleology', who through his extensive and well-publicised cave explorations introduced the concept of speleology as a distinct area of study. In 1895 Martel founded the Société de Spéléologie, the first organization devoted to cave science in the world. Édouard-Alfred Martel (1859 - 1938), the father of modern speleology, was a world pioneer of cave exploration, study, and documentation. ...
The growth of speleology is directly linked with that of the sport of caving, both because of the stimulation of public interest and awareness, and the fact that most speleological field-work has been conducted by sport cavers. Caving frequently involves a lot of mud. ...
sport of exploring caves. ...
Cave geology and hydrology - See karst
Karst topography occurs when a landscape is marked by underground drainage patterns. ...
Geochemistry speleothems - See speleothem
A speleothem (from the Greek for cave deposit) is a formal term for what is also known as a cave formation, or amongst cavers, collectively known as pretties. ...
Cave cartography The creation of an accurate, detailed map is one of the most common technical activities undertaken within a cave. Cave maps, called surveys, can be used to compare caves to each other by length, depth and volume, may reveal clues on speleogenesis, provide a spatial reference for further scientific study, and assist visitors with route-finding. Speleogenesis is the origin and development of dissolution caves, the primary process that determines essential features of the hydrogeology of karst and guides its evolution. ...
A survey team begins at a fixed point (such as the cave entrance) and measures a series of consecutive line-of-sight measurements between stations. These measurements include direction (azimuth) taken with a compass, inclination from horizontal (dip) taken with a clinometer, and distance measured with a low-stretch tape or laser range-finder. Coincident with recording straight-line data, details of passage dimensions, shape, gradual or sudden changes in elevation, the presence or absence of still or flowing water, and material on the floor are recorded. Later, the cartographer presents the technical measurements as a line-plot, then draws details around the line-plot for a completed cave survey. Cave surveys drawn on paper are often presented in two-dimensional plan or profile views, while computer surveys may simulate three dimensions. Although primarily designed to be functional, some cavers consider cave surveys as an art form. Compass in a wooden box A compass (or mariners compass) is a navigational instrument for finding directions on the Earth. ...
It has been suggested that Inclinometer be merged into this article or section. ...
A laser range-finder is a device which uses a laser beam in order to determine the distance to a reflective object. ...
sport of exploring caves. ...
The accuracy, or grade, of a cave survey is dependent on the methodology of measurement. A common survey grading system is that created by the British Cave Research Association in the 1960s, which ranges from Grade One (a simple sketch based on memory) to Grade Six (use of tripod-mounted instruments and a temperature-calibrated steel tape), with the most common grade being Five. A BCRA Grade 5 survey utilizes hand held instruments taking measurements within one degree accuracy or better and a tape measure accurate to ten centimeters or better, per station.
The equipment used to undertake a cave survey continues to improve. The use of computers, inertia systems, and electronic distance finders has been proposed, but no practical underground applications have evolved at present.
Survey software issues Surveying based on a centreline constructed from a chain of measurements down the passages of a cave are subject to loop closure errors when a round trip or a second entrance is surveyed to and there is a discrepancy. Surveying software is widely used by surveyors to redistribute the closure errors throughout the cave centreline in order to improve its consistency.
The fact that this centreline can alter in shape over the years as a cave is explored and more loops and entrances are discovered presents a difficult challenge to the drawing up of maps of passages and chambers based on these centrelines. Paper-only surveys either had to be redrawn from scratch every few years, or fudged, or limited in scope to one section of a cave which is complete and likely to remain static although subject to repositioning.
Cave biology Caves provide a home for many unique biota. Cave ecologies are very diverse, and not sharply distinct from surface habitats. Generally however, the deeper the cave becomes, the more rarefied the ecology.
Cave environments fall into three general categories:
- Endogean: the parts of caves that are in communication with surface soils through cracks and rock seams, groundwater seepage, and root protrusion.
- Parahypogean: the threshold regions regions near cave mouths that extend to the last penetration of sunlight.
- Hypogean: or "true" cave environments. These can be in regular contact with the surface via wind and underground rivers, or the migration of animals, or can be almost entirely isolated. Deep hypogean environments can host autonomous ecologies whose primary source of energy is not sunlight, but chemical energy liberated from limestone and other minerals by chemoautotrophic bacteria.
Cave organisms fall into three basic classes: Flowchart to determine if a species is autotroph, heterotroph, or a subtype Chemotrophs are organisms that obtain energy by the oxidation of electron donating molecules in their environments. ...
- Troglobites ("cave dwellers") are obligatory cavernicoles, specialized for cave life. Some can leave caves for short periods, and may complete parts of their life cycles above ground, but cannot live their entire lives outside of a cave environment. Examples include chemotrophic bacteria, some species of flatworms, collembola, and Blindfish.
- Troglophiles ("cave lovers") can live part or all of their lives in caves, but can also complete a life cycle in appropriate environments on the surface. Examples include cave crickets, millipedes, pseudoscorpions and spiders.
- Trogloxenes ("cave guests"): Frequents caves, and may require caves for a portion of its life cycle, but must return to the surface (or a parahypogean zone) for at least some portion of its life. Hibernating reptiles and mammals are the most widely recognized examples.
There are also so-called accidental trogloxenes which are surface organisms that enter caves for no survival reason. Some may even be troglophobes (“cave haters”), which cannot survive in caves for any extended period. Examples include deer which fell through a sinkhole, frogs swept into a cave by a flash flood, etc. In archaeology, a troglodyte is any member of a primitive tribe of cave-dwelling people (from the Greek troglodytai, from trogle, a hole and dyein, to enter). More recently troglodyte is used to describe a technophobic person; i. ...
Classes Monogenea Trematoda Cestoda Turbellaria The flatworms (Platyhelminthes, Greek platy: flat; helminth: worm) are a phylum of relatively simple soft-bodied invertebrate animals. ...
Families Suborder Arthropleona Superfamily Entomobryoidea Entomobryidae - slender springtails Isotomidae - smooth springtails Oncopoduridae Paronellidae Tomoceridae Superfamily Poduroidea Brachystomellidae Hypogastruridae - elongate-bodied springtails Neanuridae Odontellidae Onychiuridae - blind springtails Poduridae - water springtails Suborder Symphypleona Dicyrtomidae Katiannidae Sminthuridae - globular springtails Sminthurididae Bourletiellidae Arrhopalitidae Springtails (Order Collembola) form the largest of the three orders of...
Amblyopsis spelea (Northern Blindfish) is found in caves through Kentucky and southern Indiana. ...
Genera Ceuthophilus Macrobaenetes many others Cave crickets also known as Camel crickets or Spider Crickets or even sprickets are orthopteroid insects of the family Rhaphidophoridae which are found in association with caves. ...
This page is about the creature known as the millipede. ...
A pseudoscorpion, (also known as a false scorpion or book scorpion), is an arachnid belonging to the order Pseudoscorpionida, also known as Pseudoscorpiones or Chelonethida. ...
A troglobite is an animal that lives entirely in the dark parts of caves. ...
The two factors that limit cave ecologies are generally energy and nutrients. To some degree moisture is always available in actively-forming Karst caves. Cut off from the sunlight and steady deposition of plant detritus, caves are poor habitats in comparison with wet areas on the surface. The majority of energy in cave environments comes from the surplus of the ecosystems outside. One major source of energy and nutrients in caves is dung from trogloxenes, the majority of which is deposited by bats. Other sources are mentioned above. [1]
Cave ecosystems are very fragile. Because of their rarity and position in the ecosystem they are threatened by a large number of human activities. Dam construction, limestone quarrying, water pollution and logging are just some of the disasters that can devastate or destroy underground biological communities. [2]
Other areas of cave science Speleologists also work with archaeologists in studying underground ruins, tunnels, sewers and aquaducts, such as the various inlets and outlets of the Cloaca Maxima in Rome.[1] The Cloaca Maxima was one of the worlds earliest sewage systems. ...
Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area - City 1,285 km² (580 sq mi) - Urban 5...
References - ^ Dr. Paul Richter, Classifications of Cave Biota & Cave Environments (1996)
- ^ National Speleological Society, The Fragile Underground
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