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A Merica N C a V in G C a Len D a R 2015 NATIONAL SPELEOLOGICAL SOCIETY AMERICAN CAVING CALENDAR 2 015 FORMATIONS Columns form from the union of stalagmites and deposition continues to add stalactites. As compound cave formations, columns include growth laterally and underneath. some of the tallest free-standing speleothems in the world. As such, they are indicators of past pool levels. Shelfstone may be thick Draperies are deposited from calcite-rich solutions which when a pool has stayed at the same flowed along an overhung surface. Surface tension causes level for a long time, or thin and delicate. the water to cling to a wall or sloping ceiling as it streams When attached to the ends of stalactites slowly downward. Ripples and folds in cave draperies are the term lily pad is often used. reminiscent of ‘drapes’ of supple cloth. Soda straws are hollow, elongated tubes of Flowstone is one of the most common of all cave calcite, equal in diameter to the water drops formations, and is almost always composed of calcite or CAVE conducted along their length. Soda straws may other carbonate minerals. Flowstone (and related forms develop further, and thicken into stalactites as such as stalagmites & stalactites) result as rainwater seeps calcite is deposited on the outer surface of down through soil, becoming acidic, and then dissolves bits the straw. Draperies of limestone bedrock on its way into the cave. Underground, carbon dioxide is lost and calcite is deposited. Stalactites are icicle shaped formations which hang from cave ceilings. Most stalactites begin as soda straws. Helictites are contorted depositional speleothems which grow in any direction, seemingly defying gravity. They occur Stalagmites are upward-growing, calcite mounds deposited in many forms from tiny filaments to thick, antler-like from drip water, and built from many successive growth forms. Helictites are formed by calcite-laden waters seeping layers. In cross section they look much like a tree trunk, through tiny pores in the rock. Hydrostatic pressure forces a with rings of varying density and thickness. Stalagmites small amount of the solution out, carbon dioxide is lost, and take on a variety of forms, from tall, spindly “broomsticks” calcite is deposited. to ornate, multi-tiered towers. 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, Helictites Columns Stalactites 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 Rimstone Shelfstone Flowstone Soda Straws calcite rafts) attach to the side, and W E STUDY, WE PROTECT about discoveries and developments in caving, speleology, • The annual NSS Convention is the nation’s largest forum equipment, and techniques through our publications, annual for speleology, caving, and caver fellowship. conventions, grottos and other internal organizations, and • Since the discovery of white-nose syndrome (WNS), the NSS-sponsored projects, expeditions, and surveys. NSS has been the leading organization to address this Our Members enjoy the following benefits: devastating bat disease, providing research grants from the beginning. • For 70 years, the NSS has led the way in exploring and mapping caves. Membership in the NSS is larger than being a member of a “caving club”. We have pushed the frontiers of underground • America’s largest, deepest, and most famous caves were LORE exploration, research, and protection for over 70 years. explored by NSS members, and they find new caves Make a difference by joining the NSS today. continually. P Cave softly, • The NSS community developed the specialized equipment and techniques necessary to explore even the most X challenging caves safely. • We have taught techniques for caving safety and rescue to Wm Shrewsbury E generations of cavers, youth groups, and first responders. President, National Speleological Society • 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. Some of the 25 caves owned and protected by the NSS. • Our grant programs support expeditions to U.S. and foreign caves, speleological research, cave acquisitions, and The National Speleological Society (NSS) is a non-profit education and conservation programs. WE WE membership organization dedicated to the scientific study of caves and karst; protecting caves and their natural • The NSS’s knowledge of caves, karst, and groundwater contents through conservation, ownership, stewardship, issues is unparalleled; a wealth of data critical for and public education; and promoting responsible cave landowners, land use planners, scientists, and state and exploration and fellowship among those interested in caves. federal agencies that they use in managing their caves. With 10,000 members and 250 grottos (chapters), the • Our Nature Preserves protect over 25 notable caves and the National Speleological Society is the largest organization species that live in them. in the world working every day to further the exploration, • The NSS News is published monthly – the only US study, and protection of caves and their environments, publication of its kind. fostering fellowship among cavers. • Our Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, published 3 times a For over 73 years, the National Speleological Society has year, is the world’s most respected cave science periodical. promoted safe and responsible caving practices, effective cave and karst management, speleology, and conservation. • The NSS owns the largest speleological library, and Our members are bound together by their love of caves publishes cave-related books. 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 WWW.CAVES.ORG Descending Mandy’s Pit, Alabama. ©Bob Biddix 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Y NSS held its first official meeting in 1941 AR New Year’s Day U 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 French speleologist Wind Cave National Robert de Joly born Park created in South in 1887 Dakota in 1903 JAN 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Lehman Caves, NV Martin Luther became a national King Jr’.s Birthday monument in 1922 25 26 27 26 29 30 31 Floyd Collins was trapped in Sand Cave, KY in 1925 A cave cricket (Rhaphidophoridae family) on a popcorn-encrusted stalactite in western Texas. ©Melissa Horn, www.melissahornphotography.com 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Y Jewel Cave, SD became a National Monument AR Groundhog Day in 1908 U 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 EBR Lincoln’s Birthday Valentine’s Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 F President’s Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Washington’s Birthday A caver is framed under stalactites above a pool in Jess Elliot Cave, Alabama. ©Alan Cressler 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 NSS purchased the Cave Ave. headquarters site in 1971 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ARCH ARCH M 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Speleo-Club de France was founded in 1930 First Day of Spring 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 The Cavernacle in Virgin Cave, New Mexico. ©Peter Jones, www.pjcaver.com 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 RIL April Fool’s Day 11 Ap 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Colorful ceiling pockets in the Lair of the Flying Monkeys, in the OZ region of Lechuguilla Cave, NM. ©NPS photo by Peter Bosted 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Y MA 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cave diver Peter Bolt made Lechuguilla the deepest cave in the USA (-1,604 feet) in 1992 10 11 12 13 14 15 22 Mother’s Day 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Lechuguilla cave opened in 1986 31 Memorial Day Waterfalls feed rimstone pools in Piercy’s Mill Cave, West VA. ©Ed McCarthy 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 NE JU 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 First Day of Summer Father’s Day 28 29 30 Parallel bands of draperies in Mercer Caverns, a show cave near Murphys, CA. ©Dave Bunnell, www.underearth.us 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 Y L NSS moved to the Cave Avenue headquarters JU in 1971 Independence Day 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 2015 NSS Convention in Waynesville, Missouri 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Waterfalls appear during a rainstorm in the huge Echo Hall, Camps Gulf Cave, TN. ©Chris Higgins, www.chrishigginsphoto.com 2 015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 ST U G 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 U A 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Timpanogos Cave, UT rediscovered in 1921 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Jewel Cave, SD discovered in 1900 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Pristine pool fringed by shelfstone and popcorn covered stalagmites in a remote Grand Canyon cave in Arizona.
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