National Speleological Society. american caving calendar 2015

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1 National Speleological Society american caving calendar 2015

formations cave Columns form from the union of stalagmites and stalactites.

Draperies are deposited from calcite-rich solutions which flowed along an overhung surface.

Ripples and folds in cave draperies are reminiscent of drapes of supple cloth.

Flowstone (and related forms such as stalagmites & stalactites) result as rainwater seeps down through soil, becoming acidic,

Underground, carbon dioxide is lost and calcite is deposited.

They occur in many forms from tiny filaments to thick, antler-like forms.

Hydrostatic pressure forces a small amount of the solution out, carbon dioxide is lost, and calcite is deposited.

Shelfstone may be thick when a pool has stayed at the same level for a long time, or thin and delicate.

Soda straws are hollow, elongated tubes of calcite, equal in diameter to the water drops conducted along their length.

Stalactites are icicle shaped formations which hang from cave ceilings. Most stalactites begin as soda straws.

In cross section they look much like a tree trunk, with rings of varying density and thickness.

2 formations cave Columns form from the union of stalagmites and stalactites. As compound cave formations, columns include some of the tallest free-standing speleothems in the world. Draperies are deposited from calcite-rich solutions which flowed along an overhung surface. Surface tension causes the water to cling to a wall or sloping ceiling as it streams slowly downward. Ripples and folds in cave draperies are reminiscent of drapes of supple cloth. Flowstone is one of the most common of all cave formations, and is almost always composed of calcite or other carbonate minerals. Flowstone (and related forms such as stalagmites & stalactites) result as rainwater seeps down through soil, becoming acidic, and then dissolves bits of limestone bedrock on its way into the cave. Underground, carbon dioxide is lost and calcite is deposited. Helictites are contorted depositional speleothems which grow in any direction, seemingly defying gravity. They occur in many forms from tiny filaments to thick, antler-like forms. Helictites are formed by calcite-laden waters seeping through tiny pores in the rock. Hydrostatic pressure forces a small amount of the solution out, carbon dioxide is lost, and calcite is deposited. deposition continues to add growth laterally and underneath. As such, they are indicators of past pool levels. Shelfstone may be thick when a pool has stayed at the same level for a long time, or thin and delicate. When attached to the ends of stalactites the term lily pad is often used. Soda straws are hollow, elongated tubes of calcite, equal in diameter to the water drops conducted along their length. Soda straws may develop further, and thicken into stalactites as calcite is deposited on the outer surface of the straw. Stalactites are icicle shaped formations which hang from cave ceilings. Most stalactites begin as soda straws. Stalagmites are upward-growing, calcite mounds deposited from drip water, and built from many successive growth layers. In cross section they look much like a tree trunk, with rings of varying density and thickness. Stalagmites take on a variety of forms, from tall, spindly broomsticks to ornate, multi-tiered towers. Draperies Rimstone dams (aka gours) are calcite or other mineral barriers that dam streams and shallow pools in caves. They often form stair steps in a series, and may extend into flowstone deposits above or below. Rimstone is one of the most common cave formations, after flowstone, stalactites, and stalagmites. Helictites Columns Stalactites Shelfstone is a ledge or projection extending from the edge of a cave pool or attached to a speleothem dipped in a cave pool. It is almost always formed from calcite, when material precipitated on top of a cave pool (such as calcite rafts) attach to the side, and Rimstone Shelfstone Flowstone Soda Straws

WE StUDY, We PRotect We Explore Some of the 25 caves owned and protected by the NSS.

conservation, ownership, stewardship, and public education; and promoting responsible cave exploration and fellowship among those interested in caves.

expeditions, and surveys. Our Members enjoy the following benefits: For 70 years, the NSS has led the way in exploring and mapping caves.

The NSS community developed the specialized equipment and techniques necessary to explore even the most challenging caves safely.

NSS membership provides the world s largest fellowship and exploration network for cavers. The country s leading speleologists and karst hydrologists belong to the NSS.

3 WE StUDY, We PRotect We Explore Some of the 25 caves owned and protected by the NSS. The National Speleological Society (NSS) is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the scientific study of caves and karst; protecting caves and their natural contents through conservation, ownership, stewardship, and public education; and promoting responsible cave exploration and fellowship among those interested in caves. about discoveries and developments in caving, speleology, equipment, and techniques through our publications, annual conventions, grottos and other internal organizations, and NSS-sponsored projects, expeditions, and surveys. Our Members enjoy the following benefits: For 70 years, the NSS has led the way in exploring and mapping caves. America s largest, deepest, and most famous caves were explored by NSS members, and they find new caves continually. The NSS community developed the specialized equipment and techniques necessary to explore even the most challenging caves safely. We have taught techniques for caving safety and rescue to generations of cavers, youth groups, and first responders. NSS membership provides the world s largest fellowship and exploration network for cavers. The country s leading speleologists and karst hydrologists belong to the NSS. Our grant programs support expeditions to U.S. and foreign caves, speleological research, cave acquisitions, and education and conservation programs. The NSS s knowledge of caves, karst, and groundwater issues is unparalleled; a wealth of data critical for landowners, land use planners, scientists, and state and federal agencies that they use in managing their caves. The annual NSS Convention is the nation s largest forum for speleology, caving, and caver fellowship. Since the discovery of white-nose syndrome (WNS), the NSS has been the leading organization to address this devastating bat disease, providing research grants from the beginning. Membership in the NSS is larger than being a member of a caving club. We have pushed the frontiers of underground exploration, research, and protection for over 70 years. Make a difference by joining the NSS today. Cave softly, Wm Shrewsbury President, National Speleological Society With 10,000 members and 250 grottos (chapters), the National Speleological Society is the largest organization in the world working every day to further the exploration, study, and protection of caves and their environments, fostering fellowship among cavers. For over 73 years, the National Speleological Society has promoted safe and responsible caving practices, effective cave and karst management, speleology, and conservation. Our members are bound together by their love of caves and caving and their desire to learn about the underground wilderness and protect it for future generations. NSS membership offers worldwide caver camaraderie and networking opportunities and access to information Our Nature Preserves protect over 25 notable caves and the species that live in them. The NSS News is published monthly the only US publication of its kind. Our Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, published 3 times a year, is the world s most respected cave science periodical. The NSS owns the largest speleological library, and publishes cave-related books.

4 Descending Mandy s Pit, Alabama. Bob Biddix

5 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday January 4 11 French speleologist Robert de Joly born in NSS held its first official meeting in 1941 New Year s Day 8 15 Wind Cave National Park created in South Dakota in Martin Luther King Jr.s Birthday Lehman Caves, NV became a national monument in Floyd Collins was trapped in Sand Cave, KY in 1925

6 A cave cricket (Rhaphidophoridae family) on a popcorn-encrusted stalactite in western Texas. Melissa Horn,

7 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday February 8 15 Groundhog Day Lincoln s Birthday Jewel Cave, SD became a National Monument in 1908 Valentine s Day President s Day Washington s Birthday

8 A caver is framed under stalactites above a pool in Jess Elliot Cave, Alabama. Alan Cressler

9 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday March NSS purchased the Cave Ave. headquarters site in Speleo-Club de France was founded in 1930 First Day of Spring

10 The Cavernacle in Virgin Cave, New Mexico. Peter Jones,

11 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday April April Fool s Day

12 Colorful ceiling pockets in the Lair of the Flying Monkeys, in the OZ region of Lechuguilla Cave, NM. NPS photo by Peter Bosted

13 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 MAY Cave diver Peter Bolt made Lechuguilla the deepest cave in the USA (-1,604 feet) in Mother s Day Lechuguilla cave opened in 1986 Memorial Day

14 Waterfalls feed rimstone pools in Piercy s Mill Cave, West VA. Ed McCarthy

15 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday JUNE First Day of Summer Father s Day

16 Parallel bands of draperies in Mercer Caverns, a show cave near Murphys, CA. Dave Bunnell,

17 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday july NSS moved to the Cave Avenue headquarters in 1971 Independence Day NSS Convention in Waynesville, Missouri

18 Waterfalls appear during a rainstorm in the huge Echo Hall, Camps Gulf Cave, TN. Chris Higgins,

19 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 august Timpanogos Cave, UT rediscovered in Jewel Cave, SD discovered in

20 Pristine pool fringed by shelfstone and popcorn covered stalagmites in a remote Grand Canyon cave in Arizona. Dave Bunnell,

21 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday september 6 13 Labor day 7 14 Snowy River Passage in Ft. Stanton Cave discovered, leading to the most remote cave regions known, in Flint Ridge-Mammoth connected, 144 miles, in Roppel-Mammoth connected, 296 miles, in First Day of Autumn Carlsbad Cave National Monument created in

22 Ripple marks left from higher flow levels of an underground stream in Martin Springs High Hole Bob Biddix

23 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday october Halloween

24 A stalagmite has become a leaning tower. Frick s Cave, GA. Alan Cressler. Frick s is a preserve of the Southeastern Cave Conservancy,

25 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday november Daylight Savings Time ends Veterans Day Thanksgiving 29 30

26 Helictites on a soda straw in a Tennessee cave. Alan Cressler

27 2015Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday december 6 13 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day NSS purchased new headquarters in Huntsville, AL in First Day of Winter Christmas Eve Christmas New Year s Eve

28 caving calendar 2015 american Cover photo: Stephens Gap Cave. Joel Silverman Pulaski Pike NW Huntsville, AL Phone: (256) Cave formation photos and text: Calendar Layout: Elizabeth Rousseau Additional calendars and other NSS books and periodicals can be purchased at nssbookstore.org or for inquiries.

Introduction to Caving. Caving Safely and Caving Softly

Introduction to Caving. Caving Safely and Caving Softly Introduction to Caving Caving Safely and Caving Softly Caving Organizations National Speleological Society Dedicated to the exploration and preservation of cave resources. Local Grottos Most larger cities