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Speleology

spee-lee-OL-uh-jee
Branch of Geology

The scientific study of caves and other karst features: their composition, structure, physical properties, history, ecology and the processes of speleogenesis and speleomorphology by which they form and change over time. It is a cross-disciplinary field combining chemistry, biology, geology, physics, meteorology and cartography to build portraits of caves as complex, evolving systems. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Central Question
Speleology is a cross-disciplinary earth science specializing in the scientific study of caves and other karst features, including their formation, structure, physical properties, ecology and history. 1
Scope
Speleology studies caves and karst landscapes, including their formation, hydrology, mineral deposits and the fossil and climate records they preserve. 1
Significance
Speleology's cave deposits, especially stalagmites, supply some of the most precisely dated paleoclimate records available to science. 1
Speleology
Filter Results30 entries
FAQs

Is speleology the same thing as caving?

No. Caving is the activity of exploring caves; speleology is the scientific study of caves themselves, their formation, structure, ecology and the records preserved inside them.

Not quite. Caving, also called potholing or spelunking, is the recreational or exploratory activity of moving through caves. Speleology is the scientific study of caves themselves, their formation, structure, ecology and the climate and fossil records preserved inside them. Cavers and speleologists often work together, since exploring a cave is usually the first step toward studying it, but caving itself is not a scientific discipline.
Connections

Associated With

Limestone, Materials

Most caves speleology studies form through the dissolution of limestone and other soluble karst rock.

Source Speleology (Wikipedia)

Has Scientist

Wikipedia "Marjorie Sweeting": "British geomorphologist specializing in karst phenomena"; karst specialism maps to speleology in the earth atlas discipline list.

Source Wikidata: Marjorie Sweeting

Includes

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Abrskil Cave
Source Anchor Church (Wikipedia)
Source Blowhole (geology) (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Casa Cenote
Source Cava d'Ispica (Wikipedia)
Source Cave (Wikipedia)
Source Cave of the Crystals (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Cenote

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Angelita

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Azul

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Calavera

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Cristal

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Noh-Mozon

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Samula

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Xlacah

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Cenote Yokdzonot

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Choo-Ha
Source Chyulu Hills (Wikipedia)
Source Delika canyon (Wikipedia)
Source El Torcal de Antequera (Wikipedia)
Source Grotto (Wikipedia)
Source Honeycomb weathering (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q334743) mapped to discipline Speleology via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Ik Kil

Wikidata P31 (Q89497) mapped to discipline Speleology via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Jack Cade's Cavern

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Jenolan Caves
Source Karst window (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q7558985) mapped to discipline Speleology via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Krubera Cave
Source Limestone pavement (Wikipedia)
Source Mammoth Cave National Park (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Movile Cave
Source Paleocollapse (Wikipedia)
Source Polje (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q2232001) mapped to discipline Speleology via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Reed Flute Cave

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Rio Secreto
Source Salt cave (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sarawak Chamber
Source Sea cave (Wikipedia)
Source Sinkhole (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sistema Nohoch Nah Chich

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sistema Ox Bel Ha

Wikidata P31 formation-type mapped to discipline Speleology via reviewed judgment map (earth atlas); source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Sistema Sac Actun
Source Stalactite (Wikipedia)
Source Stalagmite (Wikipedia)
Source Talus cave (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q16817) mapped to discipline Speleology via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: The Burren
Source The Mammoth Site (Wikipedia)
Source Thermokarst (Wikipedia)
Source Tongtian Rock (Wikipedia)

Wikidata P31 (Q7558985) mapped to discipline Speleology via earth5 extended reviewed judgment map; source citation is this entity's own cited Wikidata item.

Source Wikidata: Zhijin Cave
Sources
1. Speleology (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
Quote, Lead section
Speleology is a cross-disciplinary field that combines the knowledge of chemistry, biology, geology, physics, meteorology, and cartography to develop portraits of caves as complex, evolving systems.
View the Source
Chyulu Hills (Wikipedia)
Includes: Chyulu Hills, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Chyulu Hills, Lead paragraph
The Chyulu Hills is a mountain range in Makueni County in southeastern Kenya
View the Source
The Mammoth Site (Wikipedia)
Includes: The Mammoth Site, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: The Mammoth Site, Lead paragraph
The Mammoth Site is a museum and paleontological site near Hot Springs, South Dakota, in the Black Hills
View the Source
Grotto (Wikipedia)
Includes: Grotto, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Grotto, Lead paragraph
A grotto or grot is a natural or artificial cave or covered recess
View the Source
Cave (Wikipedia)
Includes: Cave, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Cave, Lead paragraph
Caves and caverns are natural voids under the surface of the Earth and have also been observed in other rocky worlds (e.g., on Mars)
View the Source
Blowhole (geology) (Wikipedia)
Includes: Blowhole (geology), Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Blowhole (geology), Lead paragraph
In geology, a blowhole or marine geyser is formed as sea caves grow landward and upward into vertical shafts and expose themselves toward the surface, which can result in hydraulic compression of seawater that is released through a port from the top of the blowhole
View the Source
Limestone pavement (Wikipedia)
Includes: Limestone pavement, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Limestone pavement, Lead paragraph
A limestone pavement is a natural karst landform consisting of a flat, incised surface of exposed limestone that resembles an artificial pavement
View the Source
Sea cave (Wikipedia)
Includes: Sea Cave, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Sea Cave, Lead paragraph
A sea cave or littoral cave is a type of cave formed primarily by the wave action of the sea
View the Source
Salt cave (Wikipedia)
Includes: Salt cave, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Salt cave, Lead paragraph
A salt cave is a cave formed within rock salt by the dissolution of this very soluble rock by water
View the Source
Talus cave (Wikipedia)
Includes: Talus cave, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Talus cave, Lead paragraph
A talus cave, also known as a boulder cave, is a type of cave formed by the gaps between one or, more commonly, many large boulders
View the Source
Paleocollapse (Wikipedia)
Includes: Paleocollapse, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Paleocollapse, Lead paragraph
Paleocollapse is a rock structure resembling the karst landform, but is formed essentially by the dissolution of underlying sedimentary rock
View the Source
Sinkhole (Wikipedia)
Includes: Sinkhole, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Sinkhole, Lead paragraph
A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer
View the Source
Wikipedia: Cenote
WikipediaIncludes: Cenote, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Cenote, Lead paragraph
A cenote (English: or ; Latin American Spanish: [seˈnote]) is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting when a collapse of limestone bedrock exposes groundwater
View the Source
Tongtian Rock (Wikipedia)
Includes: Tongtian Rock, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Tongtian Rock, Lead paragraph
The Tongtian Rock (Chinese: 通天岩), or Tongtian Cliff, is a danxia landform scenic spot, located in Shuixi Town, Zhanggong District, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China
View the Source
Anchor Church (Wikipedia)
Includes: Anchor Church, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Anchor Church, Lead paragraph
Anchor Church is a series of caves in a Keuper Sandstone (Triassic conglomerate) outcrop, close to the village of Ingleby, Derbyshire, England
View the Source
Polje (Wikipedia)
Includes: Polje, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Polje, Lead paragraph
A polje, also called karst polje or karst field, is a large flat plain found in karstic geological regions of the world, with areas usually in the range of 5-400 km2 (2-154 sq mi)
View the Source
Stalactite (Wikipedia)
Includes: Stalactite, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Stalactite, Lead paragraph
A stalactite (UK: , US: ; from Ancient Greek σταλακτός (stalaktós) 'dripping', from σταλάσσειν (stalássein) 'to drip') is a mineral formation that hangs from the ceiling of caves, hot springs, or man-made structures such as bridges and mines
View the Source
Stalagmite (Wikipedia)
Includes: Stalagmite, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Stalagmite, Lead paragraph
A stalagmite (UK: , US: ; from Greek σταλαγμίτης (stalagmítēs); from Ancient Greek σταλαγμίας (stalagmías) 'dropping, trickling' and -ίτης (-ítēs) 'one connected to, a member of') is a type of rock formation that rises from the floor of a cave due to the accumulation of material deposited on the
View the Source
Thermokarst (Wikipedia)
Includes: Thermokarst, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Thermokarst, Lead paragraph
Thermokarst is a type of terrain characterised by very irregular surfaces of marshy hollows and small hummocks formed when ice-rich permafrost thaws
View the Source
Honeycomb weathering (Wikipedia)
Includes: Honeycomb Weathering, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Honeycomb Weathering, Lead paragraph
Honeycomb weathering, also known as honeycombs, honeycombed sandstone, is a form of cavernous weathering that consists of regular, tightly adjoining, and commonly patterned cavities that are developed in weathered bedrock; are less than 2 cm (0.79 in) in size; and resemble a honeycombed structure
View the Source
Karst window (Wikipedia)
Includes: Karst Window, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Karst Window, Lead paragraph
A karst window, also known as a karst fenster, is a geomorphic feature found in karst landscapes where an underground river is visible from the surface within a sinkhole
View the Source
El Torcal de Antequera (Wikipedia)
Includes: El Torcal de Antequera, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: El Torcal de Antequera, Lead paragraph
El Torcal de Antequera is a nature reserve in the Sierra del Torcal mountain range located south of the city of Antequera, in the province of Málaga of the A45 road in Andalusia, Spain
View the Source
Cava d'Ispica (Wikipedia)
Includes: Cava d'Ispica, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Cava d'Ispica, Lead paragraph
Cava d'Ispica (English: Cave of Ispica) is a nature reserve and archaeological site located in-between the towns of Modica and Ispica, in the southeastern part of Sicily, Italy.
View the Source
Delika canyon (Wikipedia)
Includes: Delika canyon, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Delika canyon, Lead paragraph
The Delika canyon (Spanish: Cañón de Délica, Basque: Delikako arroila) is a karst canyon of Spain, located in the province of Álava
View the Source
Cave of the Crystals (Wikipedia)
Includes: Cave of Crystals, Lead section (in-discipline Speleology)
Quote, Includes: Cave of Crystals, Lead section (in-discipline Speleology)
Cave of the Crystals (Spanish: Cueva de los cristales), also known as Naica Cave (Spanish: Cueva de Naica) or the Giant Crystal Cave, is a cave connected to the Naica Mine at a depth of 300 metres (980 ft), in Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico.
View the Source
Mammoth Cave National Park (Wikipedia)
Includes: Mammoth Cave, Lead paragraph
Quote, Includes: Mammoth Cave, Lead paragraph
Mammoth Cave National Park is a national park of the United States in south-central Kentucky.
View the Source
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