There are a number of terms that are used in connection with caves , caving and speleology . The following is an incomplete list.
A
Airbell Anthodite Main article: Anthodite
A speleothem (cave formation) composed of long needle-like crystals situated in clusters which radiate outward from a common base.
B
Belly crawl A passage that is very low.
Biospeleology Main article: Biospeleology
A branch of biology dedicated to the study of organisms that live in caves and are collectively referred to as troglofauna.Boneyard An intricate maze of limestone with many holes where material has dissolved away.[ 1]
Boulder choke Main article: Boulder choke
A collection of large rocks or rubble that obstructs the passage of a cave or mine. In order to progress through passages, cavers often need to negotiate or clear boulder chokes.Buffoon Also called a speleo-buffoon or cave-buffoon, a derogatory term referring to cavers who are unprepared and make poor decisions.[ 2]
C
Cave conservancy Main article: Cave conservancy
A specialized land trust that primarily manages caves or karst features in the United States.Cave digging Main article: Cave digging
The practice of enlarging undiscovered cave openings to allow entry.Caver Someone who explores caves for recreation, a synonym for spelunker[ 3]
Caving The sport of exploring caves, a synonym for spelunking[ 4]
Cupola Main article: Cupola (cave formation)
Recess, indentation, or cavity in the ceiling of a lava tube, a kind of cave formation.
K
Karst Main article: Karst
A landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks.
P
Pit A vertical space for which ascending or rappelling equipment is required.[ 2]
Pseudokarst Main article: Pseudokarst
Similar to karsts, but created by different mechanisms.
R
Cave rescue Main article: Cave rescue
A highly specialized field of wilderness rescue in which injured, trapped or lost cave explorers are medically treated and extracted from various cave environments.Resurgence Main article: Resurgence (spring)
The point where water emerges from an aquifer.
S
Speleogen Main article: Speleogen
A geological formation within a cave that has been created by the removal of bedrock, rather than as a secondary deposit.Speleogenesis Main article: Speleogenesis
The origin and development of caves, the primary process that determines essential features of the hydrogeology of karst and guides its evolution.Speleothem Main article: Speleothem
Geological formation by mineral deposits that accumulate over time in natural cavesSpelunker Someone who explores caves as a hobby,[ 2]
Spelunking Main article: Spelunking
Exploring caves as a hobby,[ 2] Squeeze A tight passage.
Stygofauna Main article: Stygofauna
Small aquatic animals living in caves and aquifers.Sump Main article: Sump (cave)
A cave that is submerged under water. A sump may be static, with no inward or outward flow, or active, with continuous through-flow. Static sumps may also be connected underwater to active stream passage. When short in length, a sump may be called a duck.Suspension trauma Main article: Suspension trauma
Also known as harness hang syndrome (HHS), or orthostatic intolerance, is an effect which occurs when the human body is held upright without any movement for a period of time.Swallow-hole Main article: Swallow-hole
The point where water drains from the surface into a cave system.
T
Terrace A series of dams made of rimstone that slopes gently.[ 5]
Troglobite See also: List of troglobites
An animal that lives entirely in the dark parts of cavesTroglofauna Main article: Troglofauna
Small, non-aquatic cave-dwelling animals.
W
Whaletail A type of descender produced from a block of aluminium that applies a variable degree of friction.[ 5]
Window A hole in a thin wall that connects two chambers or passages.[ 5]
See also
References
External links
Main topics Types and formation Speleothems Speleogens Dwellings Popular culture Incidents
