2015 american caving calendar - Good Earth Graphics · timpanogos cave, Ut rediscovered in 1921...

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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.

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.

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

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.

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Columns Stalactites

Flowstone Soda Straws

Draperies

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.

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

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.

• 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.

• 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

Some of the 25 caves owned and protected by the NSS.

We stUDY, We Protect

WWW.caves.org

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Descending Mandy’s pit, alabama. ©Bob Biddix

Martin Luther King Jr’.s Birthday

NSS held its first official meeting in 1941

New Year’s Day

French speleologist Robert de Joly born in 1887

Wind cave National park created in South Dakota in 1903

lehman caves, NV became a national monument in 1922

Floyd collins was trapped in Sand cave, Ky in 1925

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sunday monday tuesday Wednesday thursday friday saturday

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a cave cricket (Rhaphidophoridae family) on a popcorn-encrusted stalactite in western texas. ©Melissa Horn, www.melissahornphotography.com

Groundhog Day

Lincoln’s Birthday

President’s Day

Washington’s Birthday

Valentine’s Day

Jewel cave, SD became a National Monument in 1908

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a caver is framed under stalactites above a pool in Jess elliot cave, alabama. ©alan cressler

First Day of Spring

NSS purchased the cave ave. headquarters site in 1971

Speleo-club de France was founded in 1930

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The cavernacle in Virgin cave, New Mexico. ©peter Jones, www.pjcaver.com

April Fool’s Day

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colorful ceiling pockets in the lair of the Flying Monkeys, in the oZ region of lechuguilla cave, NM. ©NpS photo by peter Bosted

lechuguilla cave opened in 1986

Memorial Day

cave diver peter Bolt made lechuguilla the deepest cave in the USa (-1,604 feet) in 1992

Mother’s Day

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Waterfalls feed rimstone pools in piercy’s Mill cave, West Va. ©ed Mccarthy

First Day of Summer

Father’s Day

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parallel bands of draperies in Mercer caverns, a show cave near Murphys, ca. ©Dave Bunnell, www.underearth.us

Independence Day

NSS moved to the cave avenue headquarters in 1971

2015 NSS convention in Waynesville, Missouri

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Waterfalls appear during a rainstorm in the huge echo Hall, camps gulf cave, tN. ©chris Higgins, www.chrishigginsphoto.com

timpanogos cave, Ut rediscovered in 1921

Jewel cave, SD discovered in 1900


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pristine pool fringed by shelfstone and popcorn covered stalagmites in a remote grand canyon cave in arizona. ©Dave Bunnell, www.underearth.us

First Day of Autumn

Snowy River passage in Ft. Stanton cave discovered, leading to the most remote cave regions known, in 2001.

Flint Ridge-Mammoth connected, 144 miles, in 1972.

Roppel-Mammoth connected, 296 miles, in 1983.

carlsbad cave National Monument created in 1923

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a stalagmite has become a leaning tower. Frick’s cave, ga. ©alan cressler. Frick’s is a preserve of the Southeastern cave conservancy, www.scci.org.

Daylight Savings Time ends

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving

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ChristmasChristmas EveFirst Day of Winter

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

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NSS purchased new headquarters in Huntsville, al in 2011.

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6001 pulaski pike NW Huntsville, al 95810 phone: (256)-852-1300 www.caves.org

cover photo: Stephens gap cave. ©Joel Silverman www.silvermanphoto.com

cave formation photos and text: www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave calendar layout: elizabeth Rousseau

additional calendars and other NSS books and periodicals can be purchased at nssbookstore.org or e-mail [email protected] for inquiries.

2015 american caving calendar - Good Earth Graphics · timpanogos cave, Ut rediscovered in 1921...

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Transcript of 2015 american caving calendar - Good Earth Graphics · timpanogos cave, Ut rediscovered in 1921...