Earth Sciences Commons^™

Gypsum Karst In The Western Ukraine, Alexander Klimchouk

International Journal of Speleology

The great gypsum karst of the Western Ukraine, which is associated with Miocene (Badenian) gypsum, provides the worlds foremost examples of intrastratal gypsum karst and speleogenesis under artesian conditions. Differential neotectonic movements have resulted in various parts of the territory displaying different types (stages) of intrastratal karst, from deep-seated, through subjacent, to entrenched. Internal gypsum karstification proceeded mainly under confined hydrogeological conditions. While such development still continues in part of the territory, other parts exhibit entrenched karst settings. Huge relict maze cave systems have been explored here, five of which are currently the longest known gypsum caves in the world. …

Gypsum Karst In The South Of The Siberian Platform, Russia, Yuri Trzcinski

International Journal of Speleology

Description of gypsum karst in Siberia.

Three Nonhomogeneous Poisson Models For The Probability Of Basaltic Volcanism: Application To The Yucca Mountain Region, Nevada, Charles B. Connor, Brittain E. Hill

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

The distribution and timing of areal basaltic volcanism are modeled using three nonhomogeneous methods: spatio‐temporal nearest neighbor, kernel, and nearest‐neighbor kernel. These models give nonparametric estimates of spatial or spatio‐temporal recurrence rate based on the positions and ages of cinder cones and related vent structures and can account for migration and shifts in locus, volcano clustering, and development of regional vent alignments. The three methods are advantageous because (1) recurrence rate and probability maps can be made, facilitating comparison with other geological information; (2) the need to define areas or zones of volcanic activity, required in homogeneous approaches, is eliminated; …

Constraints On Present-Day Basin And Range Deformation From Space Geodesy, Timothy H. Dixon, Stefano Robaudo, Jeffrey Lee, Marith C. Reheis

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

We use new space geodetic data from very long baseline interferometry and satellite laser ranging combined with other geodetic and geologic data to study contemporary deformation in the Basin and Range province of the western United States. Northwest motion of the central Sierra Nevada block relative to stable North America, a measure of integrated Basin and Range deformation, is 12.1±1.2 mm/yr oriented N38°W±5° (one standard error), in agreement with previous geological estimates within uncertainties. This velocity reflects both east-west extension concentrated in the eastern Basin and Range and north-northwest directed right lateral shear concentrated in the western Basin and Range. …

Gps Monitoring Data For Active Volcanos Available On Internet, Timothy H. Dixon, Frederic Farina, Ailin Mao, Frank Webb, Marcus Bursik, Ross Stein, Grant Marshall

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Recent technological advances have now made it possible for volcanologists to continuously monitor active volcanoes with the Global Positioning System (GPS). These observations allow detection of large changes in surface strain near active volcanoes that may precede major volcanic eruptions by days, weeks or even months. They are therefore a critical component of programs designed to assess hazard and predict eruptions of active volcanoes.

Researchers who are unfamiliar with GPS technology or who do not have facilities to process large amounts of GPS data may have difficulty obtaining GPS results, however. To address this problem, we recently initiated a “proof …

Inflation Of Long Valley Caldera From One Year Of Continuous Gps Observations, Frank H. Webb, Marcus Bursik, Timothy H. Dixon, Frederic Farina, Grant Marshall, Ross S. Stein

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

A permanent Global Positioning System receiver at Casa Diablo Hot Springs, Long Valley Caldera, California was installed in January, 1993, and has operated almost continuously since then. The data have been transmitted daily to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for routine analysis with data from the Fiducial Laboratories for an International Natural sciences Network (FLINN) by the JPL FLINN analysis center. Results from these analyses have been used to interpret the on going deformation at Long Valley, with data excluded from periods when the antenna was covered under 2.5 meters of snow and from some periods when Anti Spoofing was enforced …

The 1993 Klamath Falls, Oregon, Earthquake Sequence: Source Mechanisms From Regional Data, Jochen Braunmiller, John Nábělek, Beate Leitner, Anthony Qamar

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

We use regional broadband seismograms to obtain seismic moment-tensor solutions of the two September 20, 1993, M_w=6, Klamath Falls, Oregon earthquakes, their foreshock and largest aftershocks (M_D>3.5). Several sub-groups with internally consistent solutions indicate activity on several fault segments and faults. From the estimated moment-tensors and depths of the main shocks and from the aftershock distribution we deduce that both main shocks occurred on an east-dipping normal fault, possibly related to the Lake of the Woods fault system. Rotation of T-axes between the two main shocks is consistent with the two dominant trends of the aftershocks …

Karst In Siliceous Rocks - Karst Landforms And Caves In The Auyàn-Tepui Massif (Est. Bolivar, Venezuela), Leonardo Piccini

International Journal of Speleology

During the expedition "Tepuy 93", six caves were explored in the precambrian quartzites of Roraima Group, in the Auyan-tepui massif. One of this caves reaches the depth of 370 m and a development of almost 3 km; its name is “Sima Auyan-tepui Noroeste” and it is currently the deepest cave in the world discovered in siliceous rocks The geological and morphological study of this cave has underlined again the importance of deep solutional weathering, along the network of fractures for the formation of caves in siliceous rocks. The different formation stages of the big superficial shafts, called “simas” were observed …

Karst In Siliceous Rocks: The Speleothem Medium Of Finger Flutings And Its Isotopic Geochemistry, Robert G. Bednarik

International Journal of Speleology

The isotopic geochemistry relating to the re-precipitation of calcite in caves is considered, in terms of its theory, natural manifestations, and relationship with questions of radiometric dating of carbonate speleothems. Specific forms of’ such deposits are considered, together with the various modification processes they are subjected to. More specifically, particular forms of rock art found within, as well as on or under such deposits are examined, such as finger flutings commonly found in caves of Europe and Australia. Some of the variables relating to their occurrence are elucidated, their preservation and possible dating is reviewed in the light of these …

Paleokarst Of The Bohemian Massif In The Czech Republic: An Overview And Synthesis, Pavel Bosàk

International Journal of Speleology

Paleokarst of the Bohemian Massif on the territory of the Czech Republic developed as polygenetic and polycyclic forms with several phases of fossilization and rejuvenation depending on tectonic phases and deep chemical weathering. Paleotectonic period (pre-Permian in general) was characterized by evolution of relatively minor depositional and local paleokarsts. Neotectonic (platform) period (post-Permian) favoured the prolonged karst evolution of interregional paleokarst in two karst periods and several more or less distinctly separated karst phases.

On Some Cave Minerals From Northern Norway, Bogdan Petroniu Onac, Stein-Erik Lauritzen

International Journal of Speleology

The present paper aims to point out the results of 31 samples from some Norwegian caves that have been analysed with respect to their mineralogical composition. Identification of the minerals was done by X-ray diffraction, thermal, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Seventeen minerals were identified belonging to 4 groups: carbonates, sulphates, oxides-hydroxides and silicates.

The Classification Of Cave Minerals And Speleothems, Carol A. Hill, Paolo Forti

International Journal of Speleology

The classification scheme of Hill and Forti, as used in the second edition of Cave Minerals of the World, is presented as a "practical" solution to the classification of cave minerals and speleothems. Classification and naming of cave minerals is by crystal class and follows nomenclature approved by the International Mineralogical Association. Classification of speleothems is based on morphology and whatever is known about origin, with division of speleothems into types, subtypes, and varieties. It is proposed that new speleothem types, subtypes, and names be approved by a UIS Commission of cave mineralogists.

Sar Interferometry And Surface Change Detection, Timothy H. Dixon

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Recent events have brought synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry into vogue—at least in some sectors of the geophysical science community. For one thing, the image of coseismic displacement associated with the Landers earthquake, recently published in Nature [Massonnet et al., 1993], coupled with the recent disastrous Northridge earthquake of January 17,1994, has created interest in the Earth science community about SAR interferometry. In particular, there is widespread appreciation that this technique can make a significant contribution to earthquake studies in California and other technically active regions. Similarly, a recent demonstration that ice stream velocity could be measured directly …

Aftershocks Of The 13 May 1993 Shumagin Alaska Earthquake, Zhong Ludwig, Max Wyss, Guy Tytgat, Stephen R. Mcnutt, Scott Stihler

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

The 13 May 1993 M_s 6.9 Shumagin earthquake had an aftershock sequence of 247 earthquakes with magnitudes greater than or equal to 1.5 by 1 June 1993. Of these aftershocks, 79 were located by using S-P travel times at the only two stations within 570 km of the mainshock epicenter. The rupture area inferred from the aftershocks is about 600 km² and we estimate for the mainshock a mean fault displacement of 1.0 m and a 28 bar stress drop. The magnitude-frequency plots give a b-value for the aftershock sequence of about 0.4, which is low compared to …

Proposition Pour Une Étude Micro-Climatique En Zones Souterraines Profondes, Jacques Choppy, Arrigo A. Cigna

International Journal of Speleology

Deep underground zones of karst systems are practically isolated from the outside influence and their climatological characteristics are scarcely known. To improve the knowledge of the karst areas it would be therefore rather useful to obtain energy balances for different environmental situations in order to evaluate both the deep climatological phenomena and the outside influence.

Descrizione Morfologica E Stima Dell'impatto Ambientale Derivante Dall'apertura Al Pubblico Delle Grotte Di "Is Zuddas" Presso Santadi (Nuoro, Sardegna, Italia), Roberto Curreli, Nicolino Diana, Antonello Floris, Antonello Sulas

International Journal of Speleology

After a short history of the discovery of the caves of “Is Zuddas” a geological description of the region and the geomorphological evolution of the cave are recorded. The results of a preliminary climatological research are reported and a rough evaluation of the visitors capacity is also given.

La Cueva Del Tesoro - Rincón De La Victoria (Málaga, España), Antonio Guzmán, Fernando Mendoza, José Luís Gutiérrez

International Journal of Speleology

«La Cueva del Tesoro» (The Treasure Cave) is located on the East, 10 kilometres from the city of Málaga, in a coastal promontory called «El Cantal» (a small steep), which is situated in the municipality of Rincón de la Victoria. The composition of land in this zone «El Cantal» is made up of limestone and there are many caves which are located within a radius of 2 kilometres, although some of them have already disappeared: la Cueva del Tesoro, la cueva del Hoyo de la Mina, Cuevas de Navarro, Cuevas de la Cantera, Cueva de los Molinos, Cueva de la …

La Cueva De Nerja (Malaga, España), José Ramón Andérica Frias

International Journal of Speleology

The history and the development of the cave of Nerja are here summarized. A short description of the cave with the main goals for the future are also reported.

La Grotta Del Vento: Una Realta'nel Contesto Del Parco Naturale Delle Alpi Apuane, Vittorio Verole-Bozzello

International Journal of Speleology

After a short history of the explorations of the cave its development as a show cave is here reported with details. Such a development was carried out in order to preserve not only the physical integrity of the cave environment but also to keep the tourists’ approach as natural as possible. In co-operation with the Medical Faculty of the Pisa University the cave is also used since many years for an interesting and quite successful experiment for the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Die Saalfelder Feengrotten: Ein Schaubergwerk Mit Höhlencharkter, Bernd Lochner

International Journal of Speleology

The well known “Saalfelder Feengrotten” originated from an old aluminium mine called “Jeremiasglück”. The mine has been working from 1943 to 1945; the oldest formations have an age of about 350 years. Such formations were formed by an oxidation process which explains the rather fast growth rate in comparison to the growth rate of calcite formations. In the “Feengrotten” rare minerals can be found: the most common is a soft unstable compound, the diadochite (iron(III) phosphate). The control of the lampenflora is rather complicate and it is obtained with some compounds normally used in caves. The “Feengrotten” are visited yearly …

Activity Of The Scientific Commission Of "Grotta Grande Del Vento" (Genga, Ancona, Central Italy), Mario Bertolani, Arrigo A. Cigna

International Journal of Speleology

The Grotta Grande del Vento (the Great Wind Cave) was discovered in 1971. An administrative body (the “Consorzio Frasassi”) under the control of some local authorities took care of its development and the cave was opened to tourists in 1974. A Scientific Commission formed by some experts (choosen by the Consorzio Frasassi) of different disciplines was established in 1975. During these 15 years the Commission acted as an advisory committee for the Consorzio in order to guarantee the protection of the cave environment. In particular the Commission set up a monitoring network of the most important environmental parameters (air and …

Faunistic Study In The Karst Complex Of Frasassi (Genga, Italy), Roberto Bertolani, Gian Carlo Manicardi, Lorena Rebecchi

International Journal of Speleology

The cave fauna of the karst complex of Frasassi (Genga. Ancona, Italy), which includes a tourist attraction, was surveyed to provide detailed information on the hypogean animal populations. Indeed, for this area, only sporadic and limited studies are known in the literature to date. The bat populations, recently analyzed by Bassi and Fabbri (1986-87), were excluded from our study. Ten collection campaigns were carried out in 12 different caves, including the tourist site, over a span of two years. Three caves were considered in all the collections and the others only on one or two occasions. The animals were captured …

A New Jujiroa From Sichuan, China (Coleoptera, Carabidae), Augusto Vigna Taglianti

International Journal of Speleology

Jujiroa iolandae n.sp. is described from Liujia Cave in China (Sichuan, near Huaying, between Chongqing and Nanchong). Strongly depigmented, with very reduced eyes and markedly elongated appendages, it is well distinguishable from Taiwanese and Japanese species, and from the two previously known species from China. One of these, J. suensoni from Shangxi, is quite different (its doubtful taxonomic position is perhaps to be referred to another genus or lineage); the other, J. rufescens from Jiangxi (Fujian), is more related to the new species, that differs by the longer and more sinuate pronotum, with fore and hind angles much more produced, …

Life Cycle And Population Ecology Of The Cave Cricket Dolichopoda Geniculata (Costa) From Valmarino Cave (Central Italy), Glanmaria Carchini, Mauro Rampini, Valerio Sbordoni

International Journal of Speleology

A D. geniculata population inhabiting a natural cave at low altitude near seashore was followed during two years. The population size, distribution in three age classes, spatial distribution, feeding habits were recorded. The life-cycle was found semivoltine, with overlaps between next choorts in each age class. A comparison to other Dolichopoda showed that the population of Valmarino cave is one of the best adapted to cave life, and this may be related with both historical and present geographical and ecological conditions of the cave.

Towards Regressive Evolution: The Periodic Colour Change Behaviour Of A Troglophilic Fish Nemacheilus Evezardi (Day), Rohit K. Pradhan, Jayant Biswas

International Journal of Speleology

Present study is an attempt to know the existence of colour change physiology of the cave fish Nemacheilus evezardi (Day) along a circadian time scale. Though, due to subterranean mode of life, practically this function has no survival value. The study has been conducted simultaneously in two different photoperiodic conditions (LD 00: 24 and LD 12:12 hr). The variation in different states of chromatophore has been computed with respect to different time points of the day. Results suggest that the phenomenon is lying completely disturbed in its in situ conditions. Interestingly, circadian rhythm in all the types of chromatophores were …

Management Of Some Unusual Features In The Show Caves Of The United States, Jeanne Gurnee

International Journal of Speleology

Protection of the unusual features in some of the 200 show caves of the U.S. have required innovative management. The sea caves of both the east and west coasts present the need for special preservation methods. Throughout the nation sometimes glass enclosures, vehicles and boats are used to separate visitors from sensitive cave features. Lighting and cleaning techniques have been studied and altered to discourage growth of algae. Some show caves are protected by double glass entrance and exit doors. Many caves, particularly on public lands, are closed during the hibernation period of endangered bats. In a number of caves, …

Les Grottes Aménagées Et L'Union Internationale De Spéléologie (1965-1990), Hubert Trimmel

International Journal of Speleology

The initiatives of the International Union of Speleology concerning the show caves, approved during various International Congresses of Speleology are here reported. Among other things, an attempt of having a list of show caves is also recalled but only recently such an attempt produced successfully a document. An example of it is also given.

Die Slowakischen Shauhöhlen Und Ihre Probleme, Ivan Racko

International Journal of Speleology

In 1960 the Slovak Caves Administration, which managed twelve Slovak Caves was founded. It was controlled by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Socialist Republic and comprised also the Museum of Slovak Karst and the Slovak Speleological Society - a free speleological organisation. In 1981 such an Administration became part of the State Centre for the Protection of Nature. The main task of this centre was obviously the protection of nature in Slovakia but unfortunately many problems remained unsolved. The social movement in November 1989 accelerated the process to solve such problems and the Forum of Professional Workers of …

Kurzer Bericht Über Die Probleme Des Höhlentourismus In Jugoslawien, France Habe

International Journal of Speleology

In the frame of the IUS, the activities concerning the Yugoslav show caves are reported and the most relevant problems are emphasized.

Problems Of Show Caves In Bohemia And Moravia, Milka Dusan

International Journal of Speleology

In the last years the show caves in Bohemia and Moravia were administrated by the Ministry of Culture with the status of a state assisted organization. That means that they were considered as those organizations not self-sufficient, without connections with tourism. Presently, the management of the show caves in Bohemia and Moravia is at a crossroad: to remain under the administration of the Ministry of Culture or move under the newly formed Ministry of Environment. In the latter case the cave management should change into a business organization similar to a private body. We believe that these problems can be …