Welcome to the web page of
the National Speleological Society's (NSS)
Section of Cave Geology and Geography. The
Section is the oldest in the NSS, and since
1968 has generally functioned as a forum for
the exchange of cave geoscience information
and the interaction of karst geoscientists.
It also serves as the NSS's link to the American
Geological Institute.
This is not to say that non-geoscientists or
non-degreed persons are not welcome. In fact,
it's just the opposite. Cave science is
largely based on the explorations and
observations of cavers (which describes most
degreed Section members when you strip away
the degrees) and other folks who often have a
strong interest in the geosciences and make
many and substantive contributions. This
aspect of caving/cave science makes the
Section a group that has the degrees and does
the related "big science," yet is
just as comfortable with low key science,
interdisciplinary science, and cave science
education.
The Section is active in
several ways, and is picking up steam. For
example:
- The Section maintains the
list of the longest and deepest caves in the world and the U.S.
- In 1996, we sponsored and
received an award for an
"Interactions of Karst Geology and
Ecology" symposium for the American
Association for the Advancement of
Science's annual meeting.
- Each year at the NSS
Convention, we give a workshop or
symposium on some aspect of cave
geoscience that is geared to be
interesting and informative for
geoscientists and non-geoscientists
alike.Topics of recent years include:
karst hydrology, karst geology of the
Guadalupe Mountains, cave paleontology,
karst environmental management,
vulcanospeleology, and karst
geomicrobiology.
- We are co-producing the
first national environmental education
booklet on karst with the American Geological Institute titled "Living with Karst:
a Fragile Foundation." It will be
published in Spring 2001.
- This web page is the most
recent means by which the Section is
spreading karst geoscience information to
those who need it.
In addition to the above
activities, each year at NSS Convention, the
Section hosts the Geology and Geography Session
for the presentation of new research (anyone
wishing to give a paper needs to contact Section
Executive Secretary).
This web site is
new and building. If you have any questions,
comments,praises, criticisms, or contributions
for this site, contact our Web
Editor.
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