Eurospeleo Forum 2019 Is Financially Supported by Caving Club

TH EuroSpeleo 13 Forum

2019 Sofia, Bulgaria

Contents

90 years of organized speleology The longest lava tube caves of Southeast Asia in Bulgaria - Tan Phu and Krong No Volcanic in southern (A brief history and main achievements Vietnam...... 39 of Bulgarian cavers and speleology)...... 5 Speleological research in Thailand, Rebuilding of the organization, founding of the 2006-2019...... 40 register and the rescue team (1959 – 1979).....8 Baishan 2018/19 - Reconnaissance expedition Towards new deeper underground horizons with to Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, NE China.....42 the SRT ...... 10 Exploration of the caves in Banski suhodol Bulgaria in the international caving circus in North Pirin, SC Helictit - Sofia and organizations...... 16 SCC Akademic – Sofia...... 43 Some significant scientific and applied Exploration of the caves in the region of the achievement of the Bulgarian speleology...... 17 village of Karlukovo by the cavers of the caving club Helictit - Sofia...... 44 Issued by: 45 years of cave rescue in Bulgaria....19 Recent speleological explorations in Bulgarian Federation of Speleology First Period (1964 – 1973)...... 21 NW Vratsa Mountain...... 45 www.speleo-bg.org Second Period (1973 – 1985)...... 22 Morca 2019 - a short summary of the [email protected] expedition...... 46 Third period (1985 – now)...... 22 Bulgarian Federation of Speleology CaveSurvey project, surveying caves with Vasil Levski Blvd. 75 common hardware...... 48 Cave Rescue...... 25 1142 Sofia, Bulgaria Karst and Speleology in the South Caucasus History of UIS Cave Rescue Commission...... 25 of Armenia...... 49 Editorial team on writing, information gathering, and design of the content: Karst and Cave Conservation in Myanmar...... 51 Antoniya Vlaykova, Angel Ivanov, Stanimira Deleva, Tsvetan Ostromski, Yavor Shopov Cave Exploration & Expeditions...... 27 Bulgarians in Gouffre Berger – 1969...... 28 Cover photos: Cave Geology, Geomorphology Big entrance of Prohodna cave, descending with flags during celebration of 85 years anniversary Discoveries of new salt caves at and Geography of Karst...... 52 of organized speleology in Bulgaria, 2014. Photo Tsvetan Ostromski Sedom salt diapir, Dead-Sea, Israel...... 29 Wonders and remarks of Bulgarian caves Cave Rescue Exercise in Balabanova dupka Cave during 11th European Cave Rescue Meeting in The expedition to resurvey the longest and karst...... 53 Bulgaria, 2017. Photo: Sigurður Ólafur Sigurðsson salt cave in the world, Malham cave, Caves and karst of the Djerdap aspiring Prohodna cave – “Oknata” geological phenomena. Photo: Yavor Shopov Mt Sedom – Israel...... 31 Geopark – research and management Speleological explorations in Croatia challenges...... 54 Design of the cover: Antoniya Vlaykova (2009-2019)...... 32 Print design: Svetla Tihova Morphological analysis of 3D subsurface Speleological explorations of Croatian structures with the use of a handheld laser Northern Velebit karst...... 34 scanning system. The case study of Koutouki International expeditions 2017 and 2019 Cave, Peania, Greece...... 55 to the Serra da Bodoquena, SW Brazil...... 35 “The Caves” - the first periodical on karst and Explorations of the Balkan Caves - Devon caves in Russia...... 56 EuroSpeleo Forum 2019 is financially supported by Caving club...... 36 the KP-06-MNF-12 (15.07.2019) contract between Tides of Adriatic Sea in the caves of Classical the National Science Fund - Bulgaria and the Geo- Speleological research in Laos, Karst: The case of Pozzo dei protei di logical Institute of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. 2015-2019...... 37 Monfalcone (Italy)...... 57 Cave Biology / Bio speleology...... 59 The International Program on “Techniques Study of the nutrient contribution of cave bat for Remote Location of Caves” (RLC) of the colonies to surface ecosystems...... 60 International Union of Speleology (UIS) and Bulgarian project related to it...... 79 Underground Habitats as a Unit for Conservation of Vulnerable Bat Communities Remote Location of Caves by Thermal in South-Western Kyrgyzstan...... 61 Cameras...... 80 Remote Location of Caves on Mars and the Biospeology in Kyrgyzstan...... 62 Moon - First Step to the Settlement on other Intelligent Virtual Personal Assistant for Bat Planets...... 81 Scientists...... 63 First Application of Near Infrared Imaging for Biospeleology in Germany Methods to increase Remote Location of Caves...... 82 public and specialist interest...... 64 Development of Technology for Remote Microbial life in Brazilian caves: reporting the Location of Unknown Underground Cavities structure of bacterial communities...... 65 and Deep-Seated Rockslides by Unmanned Air Humidophila brekkaensoides (Bock) Lowe, Systems (UAS)...... 83 Kociolek, J.R.Johansen, Van de Vijver, Lange- Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Bertalot & Kopalová: aerophytic diatom from the Best Record of the Global Change IV“...... 84 caves of Serbia...... 67 On the Possibility to use 13C Speleothem Samar Cave: seasonal analysis of phototrophic Records for Determination of Total Freezing of microorganisms, ecological and biofilm the Ground during Glaciations...... 84 parameters...... 68 The role of Heinrich 5 climatic event on human migration: A high resolution speleothem record Cave Protection...... 69 from southern Turkey...... 85 Clean Up The Dark – а Proposal For а Overview of environmental research in European Network For Cave Cleaning And Croatian karst and its implications for Protection...... 70 paleoenvironmental reconstructions...... 86 Mapping and valuing karst underground Age Determination of Speleothems from geodiversity in cave Lokvarka, Croatia...... 71 Mishin Kamik Cave, NW Bulgaria...... 87 Introduction of schoolchildren to field work on Solar activity effects on cave temperature karst and caves...... 72 regimes during five solar cycles 6th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium (1968 - 2018)...... 88 “Underground Biotope and Geotope; Best Main physical processes and phenomena Practice of Protection”...... 73 causing periodic changes in the cave National Caving House “Petar Tranteev”, Karlukovo Karst and Cave Conservation within the microclimate...... 89 Sustainability Goals of the United Nations...... 74 2nd EuroSpeleo Show Cave Symposium...... 90 Book about caves and karst of Costa Rica...... 75 Show caves of the Czech Republic – what visitors do not see...... 90 Symposia...... 76 Show caves in Bulgaria a s objects for study Symposium on “Techniques for Remote trips and expeditions of students in tourist 90 years of organized speleology in Bulgaria Location of Unknown Underground specialties...... 91 Cavities”...... 77 Symbols, myths, and images of the underworld Tracing of the Groundwater Flowing out of in the arrangement and operation of show brief history and main achievements Kolkina dupka Cave, Zimevitsa, Bulgaria...... 77 caves...... 93 (A Dye Tracing Below the Visibility Threshold...... 78 PROGRAM 26-29 September 2019...... 95 of Bulgarian cavers and speleology) he year 1929 is considered as the birthday Dryanovo (and some others for a short time). Tof the organized caving and speleology in The society had a lot of activities in the years the country, when the First Bulgarian Caving So- before WW2. One of its most active members ciety was found. The idea behind this society was the prominent archeologist Rafail Popov appeared about 50 years earlier, right after the (1876 – 1940), director of the National archeo- Liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman empire. logical museum in Sofia. Earlier information about Bulgarian caves had been reported mainly by travelers, clerics and Мid and Late Paleolithic remains, as well as a merchants. The first known written description full skeleton of a cave bear had been found in of a Bulgarian cave is from 1640 in a manuscript “Bacho Kiro” cave by a large Bulgarian-British kept in the Vatican library. It is written by Petar expedition in 1936. In 1937 “Bacho Kiro” was Bogdan (1601–1674), a patriotic Bulgarian, his- opened for tourists, becoming the first show toriographer and a diplomat, a Catholic bishop cave in Bulgaria. and the first archbishop in Bulgaria, the author In 1949 the society was terminated by the com- of the first Bulgarian history (from 1667, a cen- munist party due to the change of the political tury before those of Paisij Hilendarski). system in Bulgaria. Soon after the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 several the scientists pointed their attention towards In 1958 the Committee for Cave Tourism was the caves already known by locals and easy to founded as a branch of the Bulgarian Tourists access, and began their exploration. The first Union. Later on, it became National Committee troglobites were described by Hungarian biolo- of Caving and Cave Tourism (1963), Bulgarian Prof. Stefan Petkov, chairman of the First Bulgarian gist Edward Merkel in the Central Balkan moun- Federation of Caving (1972), Bulgarian Federa- Caving Society tain. The works of the archeologists brothers tion of Speleology (1991). Three main periods Karel and Herman Skorpil are rich of information can be marked within the last 60 years. Acad. Ivan Buresh in Dushnika cave, 16 October 1940 about various Bulgarian caves (“Underground resources, found in whole Bulgaria” – 1882, “Nat- ural resources of whole Bulgaria” – 1884, and esp. “Krazh features in Bulgaria”, 1900). In 1891 the first archeological excavations in caves be- Book “Krazh features in Bulgaria”, issued in 1900 by gan around Dryanovo. Karel and Herman Skorpil From the beginning of XX century are the first geological, hydrogeological and geomorphological studies of the Bulgarian karst (made by Georgi Bonchev, Petar Petrov, Zheko Radev). The systematic biospeleological studies in Bulgaria were founded by acad. Ivan Buresh in 1922. The First Bulgarian Caving Society (1929 – 1949) The First Bulgarian Caving Society was foundеd on 18 March 1929 in the Museum of Natural History in Sofia. The act gathered specialists in different branches of speleology and cave en- thusiasts and was initiated by the hydrogeologist eng. Petar Petrov. Botanist Prof. St. Petkov was elected as the first chairman of the Society. The society had regional branches in Rakitovo and

6 7 Rebuilding of the organization, of the cave doing the travers through Tête Sau- founding of the register and the vage. Anna became the first woman to reach the bottom of Pierre Saint-Martin. rescue team (1959 – 1979) The first scientific experiments by Bulgarian The 20 years (from 1959 to 1979) were a pe- cavers, staying in a cave for a long time in isolat- riod of rapid development of the organization. ed constant environment and collecting medico- The popularity of caving grew fast and, respec- physiological data for their adaptation, were done tively grew, the number of cavers. The number in 1971 and in 1977 respectively. Four men (Ivan of caving clubs/sections exceeded 50 in the Petrov, Georgi Yolov, Georgi Trichkov and Dimitar whole country. A lot of large caves were waiting Zhishev) took part in the first 30-day experiment, for their explorers at that time, it was necessary which took place in Topchika cave near Dobro- just to ask locals to show them. Acknowledged stan in 1971. The second such experiment took leader of the caving society in this period was place in the cave Desni Suhi Pech near Dolni Petar Tranteev, “The Herr” (1924-1979). Lom in 1977. Two cavers, Alexey Jalov and Stefan Petar Tranteev, “The Herr” Tsonev, spent 62 days underground, the longest In 1972 the Main Register of Bulgarian Caves Annа Taparkova became the first woman in the world to such experiment in Bulgaria up to now. was created, administrated by eng. Radush reach -1122 m underground, Gouffre Berger expedition, 1969 Radushev – “Uncle Radush” (1911–1991). The The beginning of the organized cave rescue register set some standards on the quality of in Bulgaria was set on 31st October 1974 at survey and documentation of new caves. For the the constituent assembly in Sofia. Petko Ned- purpose of the register Vladimir Popov proposed kov was the first chairman of the Emergency in 1976 zoning of the karst in Bulgaria, based on Rescue Squad having Trifon Daaliev and Vasil geological and geographical continuous struc- Stoitzev as deputies. tures and features. Bulgaria was partitioned into The biospeleologist Petar Beron was а part of 50 karst regions within the 4 physico-geograph- the team in a 5-month British speleo-expedition ical areas. By the end of 1979 more than 2800 in Papua New Guinea, 1975. caves were put in the register. Bulgarian cavers participated in many international expeditions and events. They became well known with their research and sport achievements in the largest caves in the world. Since 1967 Bulgarians have participated regularly in explorations of the longest gypsum caves in Ukraine. Descending in Lednicata Cave, 1962 In 1969 a Bulgarian expedition to the deepest cave in the world at that time – Gouffre Berg- er was organized. Two participants succeed to reach the bottom of the cave at -1122 m – Annа Taparkova and Petar Beron. With this decent Annа Taparkova became the first woman in the world to reach such a depth underground. Participants of 30-day experiment, which took place in Topchika cave near Dobrostan in 1971 In 1973 a Bulgarian expedition to the new deepest cave in the world Pierre Saint-Martin (-1171 m), was organized. Three persons (Anna Tapark- Alexey Jalov and Stefan Tsonev, spent 62 days underground ova-Pencheva, Vasil Nedkov and K. Yonchev) in cave Desni Suhi Pech near Dolni Lom in 1977, the from the team succeed in reaching the bottom Gouffre Berger expedition, 1969 longest stay in Bulgaria up to now. 8 9 Towards new deeper underground ported financially by the state, many ambi- horizons with the SRT tious expeditions were conducted in Aus- tria, Cuba, Greece, Vietnam, India, USSR, This period (1980-1993) began with the adaptation France, Spain, etc. of the Single Rope Technique on national level and In December 84, during a Bulgarian expe- the unification of the rigging standards. Two manu- dition to Jean Bernard (the deepest cave als on this technique were published and helped a in the world at that time with -1358 m) four lot in that direction: “Vertical Speleology” by Mike people succeed to reach the bottom of the Meredith (translated in Bulgarian) and “ABC of the cave – Senko Gazdov, Krasimir Petkov, Valeri Single rope technique” by Petko Nedkov. Thanks Mirchev and Tsvetelin Mirchev. to the new technique and the better training of the cavers, some of the most difficult caves were ex- Two expeditions were organized in 1986 to tended and new passages were found. There were Maya Arapit expedition, Albania Snezhnaya cave -1370 m (the second deep- not so many unexplored open entrances anymore, est cave in the world at that time). The first but many new were revealed by digging. expedition included only 5 cavers from Bul- Jean Bernard expedition, 1984 garia and all of them (Orlin Atanasov, Kamen This period is marked also by the first steps and Bonev, Yuli Yuliev, Rozalin Stanchev and Filip successes of the cave diving in Bulgaria, where Filipov) succeed to reach the Hall X at the leading role had Studenets caving club in Plev- bottom parts of the cave. en. Unfortunately, some terrible diving accidents occurred as well (Popov Izvor – 1981, Urushka The main goal of the second expedition Maara – 1989). was to pass the traverse Mezhonnogo-Sn- ezhnaya. Mezhonny is the upper level of In 1980 Bulgarian Federation of Speleology or- the system and the denivelation of 1370 m ganized the European Regional Conference of is measured from that entrance. Two wom- Team of 2013 Radohines expedition, Albania Speleology of UIS, with 250 participants from en – Anna Pencheva and Diana Pencheva 17 countries. It created a bridge between cavers reached the depth of 1355 m (Hall X at the U-56 (Sima de las Puertas de Illaminako Ateeneko from both sides of the iron curtain, which was an bottom parts of the cave), where the col- Leizea) expedition. important step for consolidation of the European lapse stopped them to reach -1370 m. They speleology. entered through the Mezhonny entrance to In 1980 the Museum of Speleology and Bulgar- the bottom of Snezhnaya together with Kiril ian Karst was built in Chepelare, which is the Ivanov and exited through Mezhonny. This only cave museum in Southeastern Europe. was enough for a new woman deep descend Great merit for this act had Dimitar Raychev – world record. Vladimir Grancharov and Ivan “The Sir” (1922-2002), a teacher from Chepelare Angelov traversed through the entrance of and a person, devoted all his life to the speleol- Snezhnaya to the Hall X and exited through ogy and the caves in the Rhodopes. Mezhonny. Nasko Lambov accomplished a descent to the Hall X from the entrance of In 1981 the National Caving House “Petar Tran- Snezhnaya and returned back. teev” was built in a reach of the karst phenomena area near Karlukovo. Its purpose was to 22 years later (December 2008 – January serve as a training and assembly base for all 2009) Teodor Kisimov participated in an ex- cavers in Bulgaria. pedition to Illyuzia-Mezhonnogo-Snezhnaya (second deepest cave in that time) and The international recognition of the Bulgarian reached the bottom -1753 m from Illyuzia en- speleology was growing. Up to 1989 the biggest trance. After more than 20 years this expedi- national and international expeditions were sup- In 1997 Emiliya Gateva spent alone 52 days in compete tion made new discoveries at the bottom: The isolation in the 100-meter deep cave Pticha dupka in Troyan Throne Hall and The lake of Al. Morozov. Certificate, issued for BU-56 expedition. Balkan. 10 11 It is fair to give a due tribute to the considerable together with Turkish and Ukrainian cavers (at success of the Bulgarian cave divers abroad, most, 5 – in Aladaglar 2008). Teodor Kisimov crowned by the penetration of the siphons in the reached the bottom of the caves: Kuyu Kule giant Spanish pothole BU-56 (Sima de las Puer- -832 m in 2006 and Kuzgun -1400 m in 2013. In tas de Illaminako Ateeneko Leizea). Three Bul- the beginning of September 2019, three cavers garian expeditions were held in 1986, 87 and 88. from Bulgaria: Teodor Kisimov, Dilyana Hristova As a result on September 11, 1987 the depth of and Georgi Berov participated in the Morca ex- the pothole Bu-65 reached 1408 m after success- pedition in Turkey, where the depth of 1240 m ful dive of Ilko Gunov, Milen Dimitrov and Valentin has been reached (just preliminary calculated Chapanov and for some time the system was the number, the exact depth is subject to official second deepest in the world. confirmation). With this Georgi Berov became the youngest Bulgarian caver to descent below In 1989 the expedition in Algeria was conducted EGMA (-1429 m) expedition, 2004 1000 m underground. and three people – Orlin Atanasov, Martin Tran- Teodor Kisimov and Konstantin Stoilov at the bottom of teev and Rosen Piskov reached the bottom of In 2004 four Bulgarians participated in an inter- Krubera-Voronya in 2005 at -2080 m. Anou Boussouil Cave -805 m. This is the onlyBul- national expedition to Jama na Vjetrenom Brdi- garian expedition in such a deep African pothole. gest vertical pit in Albania -360 m and 21st in the ma Montenegro. Encho Enchev and Zhelyazko World; Cave Maya Arapit, which entrance is on Mechkov rigged the way to the bottom (it was Contemporary period the foot of Maya Arapit peak (2217 m), so called the first descend after 1986 to the bottom of The period after 1993 began with a deep eco- Albanian “Matterhorn” is with +387 m and -26 m the cave). During this expedition and previous in 2002 (led by ASAK- Beograd caving club), nomic crisis in Bulgaria with an impact to the and is still object of explorations. Shegan spring the cave was re-surveyed, (using more precise whole society and its activities. Many clubs ter- was explored to a length of 86 m and up to the instruments), which showed that the previous minated or strongly decreased their activities. In depth of 64 m by Orlin Kolov and Alex Kirov. mappings had a considerable mistake, about 120 the new century some of them were restored and In 1997-1998 Tsvetan Ostromsky (during his m. The correct depth of the cave is -775 m. some new were founded. The Bulgarian Federa- Teodor Kisimov with Russian team in The Throne Hall, post-doctoral research in Purdue University, In- with a length of over 300 m, a width of over 100 m and a tion of Speleology became an independent, non- diana, USA) participated in the exploration and Bulgarian cavers participated in the exploration profit organization, not as previously a part of height of 40 m, just discovered during expedition in Illyuzia- of the deepest cave in the world at that time Mezhonnogo-Snezhnaya Cave, 2008-2009. surveying of new parts in the longest cave in the the Bulgarian Tourists Union. Difficulties to find world – Mammoth Cave System (by now 640 Krubera-Voronya in 2005 and 2013. Two cavers funding changed the style of our expeditions, they km. long), in Kentucky, USA and other caves in reached the bottom at -2080 m in 2005 Teodor became shorter but more intensive, with less but MCNP, joining several expeditions of the Cave capable and strongly motivated people. Research Foundation (CRF). Priority in the international calendar was given to In 1997 Emiliya Gateva spent alone 52 days in closer and perspective destinations, mainly on compete isolation in the 100-meter deep cave the Balkans. Pticha dupka in Troyan Balkan. This was the Since 1991 systematic cave exploration expedi- third experiment of this kind in Bulgaria, following tions have been organized in Albania, including the experiments in Topchika (1971) and in Desni systematic studies of karst and ethnology in the Suhi Pech (1977), but the first with just one person and the first accomplished by a woman. mountainous area of Golo Brdo, area inhabited by ethnic Bulgarians. Great support to the Bul- Bulgarians took part in the exploration of the garian cavers, esp. in organization and logistics deepest cave in Turkey, EGMA (-1429 m) in 2004 of these expeditions from Albanian side was and 3 people reached the bottom – Teodor Ki- given by Prof. Gezim Uruci (1949-2012) from simov, Konstantin Stoilov, Svetlomir Stanchev. the University of Skoder “Luigj Gurakuqi”. As a Other three participants reached about -1300 m: result of explorations 1991-2019 more than 100 Tsvetan Ostromski, Nikolay Tomov and Nikolay caves were found. The deepest one is BB3-30 Kamenov. In the following years several Bulgar- with -610 m, Cave Ru (-574 m) is with the big- Mapping in Ru Cave, Albania ian cavers participated in expeditions in Turkey G. Berov and D. Hristova, Morca expedition 2019 12 13 Kisimov and Konstantin Stoilov. Later on, in 2013 ra Deleva and Angel Ivanov are actively involved Teodor Kisimov reached -2145 m, this is the in the development of the cave exploration and maximum depth reached by a Bulgarian caver, biospeleology in Costa Rica with a long-term and Konstantin Stoilov descended to -2080 m. research and conservation project, focused on bats and cave fauna. Bulgarian-Russian expedition to Sarma Cave (-1549 m at that time) was organized in Decem- Bulgarian cavers, together with Israeli research- ber 2007 – January 2008 with the purpose of ers and an international team surveyed the long- continuation of explorations at the bottom and est salt cave in the world – Malham in Israel in the unexplored sections of the cave in order (about 10 km), as a result of two expeditions in to increase its depth and bring it to the fore- 2018 and 2019. front among the deepest caves in the world. Five Systematic research in a series of expeditions people reached the bottom: Zhelyazko Mechkov, Part of the team of Sarma Cave expedition, December is still going on in Austria. The history of the Pavlin Dimitrov, Aleksander Kolev, Igor Runyashki 2007 - January 2008 Bulgarian explorations in the Tennengebirge and Svetlomir Stanchev. massive in Austria started in 1980. In the years Bulgarians participated in the explorations of between 1980 and 1983 our teams explored the Deepest pits of Dinaric karst: expedition in more than forty vertical caves ranging from small Lukina jama -1421 m in 2010 (all 4 participants ones to maze ones with a depth close to -600 reached the dry bottom at -1368 m), Velebita m. All of these were wet and cold alpine caves, -1026 m (the cave with the greatest free fall with entrance shafts often filled by snow and vertical pit in the world -513 m) in 2012 (again ice. A total of 3252 m depth of caves was dis- all 9 participants reached the bottom) and Slo- covered and surveyed. The deepest caves were: vachka jama -1324 m in 2017. Four Bulgarian S1 (-584 m), S2 (-460 m), S20 (-374 m). The cavers succeed to reach the bottoms of all of explorations stopped in 1983, but later continued these caves: Antoniya Vlaykova, Encho Enchev, For the 10th anniversary of Caving Club and Speleo School at the 30th anniversary, in 2013 with a small re- Vladimir Georgiev and Yavor Tzvetanov. Sofia, A. Vlaykova, E. Enchev, Vl. Georgiev and Y. connaissance trip to get to know the area. For Tzvetanov descend to the dry bottom of Lukina jama on the past six years (2014-2019), there have been Since 2015 the Bulgarian speleologists Stanimi- -1368 m (the cave is -1441 m and ends with siphon) new discoveries – about 2000 m in total of depth was surveyed. Cave S20, discovered in 1983, is Photos of Tennegebirge expeditions 1980-1983, Austria now -570 m with still unreached bottom.

Successful end of the expedition 2019 “Malham Cave Project – The Longest Salt Cave in The World”, Israel 14 15 Bulgaria in the international caving significant contribution to the work and repre- Some significant scientific organizations sentatives in the governing bodies of some of and applied achievement its commissions. From 1993 up to now Yavor of the Bulgarian speleology Shopov is a president of Physical Chemistry and In 1965 Bulgaria became one of the founding Bulgarian biospeleologists have conducted re- Hydrogeology of Karst Commission of UIS. countries of the International Union of Speleol- searches in many countries, mainly in the Bal- In 1980 Bulgarian Federation of Speleology or- ogy (UIS). Throughout the years Bulgarians have kan Peninsula, but also in Cuba, Turkey, Tunisia, ganized the European Regional Conference of Vietnam, China, Mexico, Laos, Slovakia, Kenya, Speleology of UIS, with 250 participants from Tanzania and many others. They studied in 17 countries. It created a bridge between cavers more detail Corsica, Greece, Albania, and China from both sides of the Iron curtain, which was an in several expeditions with the participation of important step for consolidation of the European Petar Beron and Boyan Petrov. speleology. After a series of catalogs by V. Georgiev and The International Cave Rescue School in Vratsa Petar Beron and two reviews in 1962 and 1994, was organized in 1988 by the Bulgarian Fed- in 2015, a monograph on the entire cave fauna eration of Speleology in Vratsa. In 1989, Trifon of Bulgaria was published by Peter Beron. The Daaliev was elected as a secretary and in 1997 book contains information about 866 species of he was elected as a First Vice President of the animals from 813 caves. Many new species and UIS Cave Rescue Commission and he is still at Peter Beron - biospeleologist, world-recognized scientist families of animals have been found for the first the same post. In 1991, Bulgarian federation of and long-time chairman of the Bulgarian Federation of time by Bulgarian biospeleologists. There are 90 Speleology. Thanks to his high spirit, he continues to be an Speleology hosted the International Cave Res- new species and 7 families of animals, named active caver for over 50 years. cue Conference. after Peter Beron. In New Guinea, fundamentally earliest evidences of human habitation in Europe In 2009 UIS granted the book “Caves and Spe- new things have been identified - sea relicts on were found, dated 1 400 000 - 1 600 000 BP. leology in Bulgaria” by P. Beron, Tr. Daaliev, A. the mountain peaks, troglobions in cool caves Series of valuable international events in the Zhalov the UIS Award for „Most Significant Spe- around the equator. field of karst sciences were organized by teams leological Publication“. During later archaeological excavations in Ko- of Bulgarian speleologists. Among them were In 2011 the 12th International Cave Rescue Con- zarnika cave near Gara Oreshets, some of the the symposia on “Cave Climate and Paleocli- ference was hosted in Bulgaria, Dryanovo with more than 100 participants from 15 different Tennegebirge expeditions 2014-2018 countries. In 2016 Antonia Vlaykova became President of the European Cave Rescue Commission (ECRC) of the ESF. The 11th European Cave Rescue Meeting took place in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2017, organized by Cave Rescue – Bulgaria on behalf of the Euro- pean Cave Rescue Association (ECRA). Bulgarian Federation of Speleology is a member of the European Speleological Federation (ESF). Bulgarians are involved in a number of Euro Speleo Projects. Bulgaria was an initiator and founder of the Bal- kan Speleological Union and hosted two of the Balkan Cavers camps (the 1st in Teshel – 2007 and the 10th in Vraca – 2016). Kolkina dupka Cave (-542 m), the deepest one in Bulgaria. 16 17 mate – Best Record of the Global Change”, the Summary schools on “Karst and Current Problems in Spe- Currently there are more than 6000 documented leology”, a series of forums on “Protected Karst caves in Bulgaria. There is still a lot to discover in Territories” and many others. many Bulgarian karst regions. The longest cave – Duhlata (18600 m) and the two deepest – Kolkina The only lava tubes in Central and Eastern Eu- dupka (-542 m) and Banski Suhodol 9-11 (about rope have been proven thanks to prolonged re- -400 m) are still under exploration and can surprise search of Boris Kolev on over 80 lava caves in their explorers at any time. the Rhodopes. Bulgarian speleologists discovered a cave of a new type of formation: corro- References: sion-erosion cave in gneisses. V. Popov: Zoning of the caves in NR Bulgaria, 1976. Yavor Shopov discovered that luminescence has (in Bulgarian) bands as thick as microns and that these indi- I. Petrov: Sky of stone. M&F, 1977. (in Bulgarian) vidual bands represent an annual cycle - a phe- A. Jalov, S. Tsonev: Days and nights under the nomenon, named by Prof. S.E. Lauridzen “Shop- ground. M&F, 1980. (in Bulgarian) ov-bands”. Based on these observations several A. Jalov, A. Taparkova-Pencheva, V. Peltekov, N. new methods were developed for study of cave Genov, P. Nedkov, S. Gazdov, T. Daaliev: Bulgar- processes in the past and a new scientific field ians in the abysses of the world. M&F, 1986. (in was defined – Paleoluminescence. These stud- Bulgarian) ies have attracted great interest of scientists P. Beron, T. Daaliev, A. Jalov: Caves and Speleol- ogy in Bulgaria, Pensoft, 2006. ISBN 954642241X from other areas to the study of processes in A. Jalov, Underground notebook. Sofia, 2005. (in caves. Commission of Physical Chemistry and Bulgarian) Hydrogeology of Karst of the International Un- A. Addison, B. Osburn: Cartography and GIS Report ion of Speleology (UIS) has implemented the in- 2006-2007 Mammoth Cave National Park, In: Cave ternational program on „Luminescence of Cave Research Foundation 2006-2007 Annual Report, Minerals“, led by Yavor Shopov. CAVE BOOKS, 2008, ISBN 978-0-939748-69-3 In 2013 the Physical Chemistry and Hydrogeology Kiril Ivanov: The Abyss Snezhnaya, STENO, 2012. (in Bulgarian) of Karst Commission of UIS started International J.A. Labegalini, A.A. Cigna, A.E. Romero, D. Ford, Programs on Remote Location of Caves (RCL) H. Trimmel, P. Forti, J. James, A. Eavis, K.S. Woo, headed by Prof. Yavor Shopov (Bulgaria) and Dr. C. Ek, P. Bosak, F. Nader, J.-P. Bartholeyns: Fifty Ivo Baron (Austria) and International Program on years of the UIS. 1965–2015. Založba ZRC, 2015. Cave Research (IPCR) headed by Prof. Yavor ISBN 9612547858. Shopov (Bulgaria) and Dr. Giovanni Badino (Italy). S. Shanov, K. Kostov: Dynamic Tectonics and In 2015 Bulgarian speleologists Stefan Shanov Karst. Cave and Karst Systems of the World, Springer, 2015. ISBN: 978-3662439913 and Konstantin Kostov published the monograph Lilia Ilieva: The First Tractate on Bulgarian History Dynamic Tectonics and Karst (in the series Cave Found: Petar Bogdan, “On the Antiquity of the Fa- and Karst Systems of the World by Springer). ther’s Land and on the Bulgarian Things”, Balkanic In 2011 National Geographic Channel made a Forum ’18, No.1, 2018, pp. 98 – 103. ISSN 1310- film based on research in Duhlata Cave, Bulgaria. 3970. Website of Bulgarian Federation of Speleology: Bulgarian cavers developed some instruments www.speleo-bg.org and gadgets for cave exploration and cave res- UIS Bulletin: http://www.uis-speleo.org/index. cue (V. Markov, V. Gyaurov, N. Landjev, and oth- php?option=com_content&view=article&id=81&Ite ers). Nikola Landjev developed and manufac- mid=408 tured world class cave equipment known under Chronology of expeditions to the system “Snezh- his trademark “Landjoff”. naya – Mezhnogo” 45 years of cave rescue in Bulgaria 18 19 ave Rescue – Bulgaria is an independent The history of cave rescue in Bulgaria non-government organization, which is a covers three main periods Cmember of the Bulgarian Federation of Speleol- First Period (1964 – 1973) ogy (BFSp) and operates together with it. Almost all of the cave rescuers are active cavers, mem- Within the Republican expedition from 1st to 7th bers of caving clubs and the BFSp. of April in the “Zadanen dol” – area near the village of Kunino, rescue techniques were dem- The main mission of Cave Rescue is to perform onstrated for the first time. What was specific rescue operations in caves, tight spaces, can- for these techniques was the need of a large yons and in other situations requiring specific number of people and the presence of a lot of skills. It also cooperates with organizations like traction when using the ropes. the Civil and Fire Protection, Mountain rescue, During the same year also a Tirolean usage was etc., when there is a specific need. demonstrated. th The activities of Cave Rescue are fulfilled com- On 8 of September 1965 the first fatal accident pletely voluntarily by cave-rescuers, who have with a caver occurred in “Zmeyova Dupka” Cave, completed specialized training courses in Bul- near Vratza town. This accident was the reason garia and abroad. The organization does not the Republican Commission of Caving and Cave Tourism to take the decision in 1966 of creating generate profit and it relies completely on sup- of rescue teams in all caving clubs throughout port by like-minded people, other organizations Vertical retrieval of a victim using a “Cassine” stretcher. the country using the equipment which existed at and companies. To protect the person in the stretcher we mounted two wheels that moment. Cave rescue demonstrations were Since its very beginning Cave Rescue have been to keep the stretcher off the rock and to protect the victim’s included in the programs of the cave assemblies handling cave rescuers training. The cave res- back. Photo: T. Daaliev and the technical musters in the coming years. Demonstration of rescue techniques – Kunino 1965. cue specialized courses have prepared more and participate actively in international cave res- In 1967 rescue techniques were demonstrated Photo: M. Kvartirnikov than 300 cave rescuers up to now and 70 of cue conferences. where Alexis de Мartynoff was presented, who them are currently active members of the cave Cave Rescue is a member of the “National Asso- was the president of the UIS Cave Rescue Com- rescue team. The organization also have been ciation of the Volunteers in Republic of Bulgar- mission at that time. Dozens of demonstrations contributing to laying the foundations of organ- ia”, “European Cave Rescue Association”, and were conducted during this period without a spe- ized cave rescue in other countries. Cave Res- the “Bulgarian Federation of Speleology”. cialized and organized cave rescue organization. cue trainings have been conducted of cavers from Russia, Turkey, Macedonia, Serbia, Geor- gia, Lithuania, Iran, Israel, Albania, and others. Cave rescuers have been conducting trainings of the rescuers from the Emergency and rescue groups of National Civil Protection Service Directorate, part of Ministry of State Policy for Disasters and Accidents. Cave Rescue have conducted training and actual rescue operations in dozens of caves throughout the whole country. Cave Rescue maintains its international relations with similar organizations from other countries. Bulgarian cave rescuers participate in joint training exercises in France, Slovenia, Croatia, Ro- Demonstration of rescue techniques - Lakatnik. mania, Serbia and others. They also improve Photo: M. Kvartirnikov their skills with different international trainings Horizontal stretcher retrieval from the lake to a safe site, area of Bacho Kiro. Photo: T. Daaliev 20 21 Second Period (1973 – 1985) In 1972 specialized rescue equipment was de- livered which allowed the conducting of the first specialized cave rescue course including 14 participants in the next year – 1973. In 1974 a second course was conducted with another 14 participants. The trained 28 rescuers were the foundation of creating the Emergency Rescue Squad. The beginning of the organized cave rescue in Bulgaria was set on 31st October 1974 at the constituent assembly in Sofia. Petko Ned- kov was the first chairman of the Emergency Rescue Squad having Trifon Daaliev and Vasil Stoitzev as deputies. More courses were conducted and some of the existing rescue techniques were altered. Some of the cavers who completed the cave rescue courses participated in the expeditions to the deepest caves in the world at that time. Organized cave rescue was a fact during this period but a specialized cave rescue stretcher was missing. The one used was “Cassin” type, which was designed for rock res- Tyrolean - Lakatnik. Photo: T. Daaliev cue but not suitable for caves.

Third period (1985 – now) Cave rescue exercise in Balabanova dupka, part of the Photo: Sigurður Ólafur Sigurðsson During this period the rescue techniques and stretchers are already fully adopted to rescue operations in caves. From 1985 to 1992 a stretcher of a French type is used, created in Bulgaria. From 1992 to 1999 a stretcher developed and created by Nicola Landjev is used. In 2004 Vanyo Stanev remodeled 3 of the stretchers made in 1985. In 2006 Vanyo Stanev produces 3 new stretchers specifically designed for cave rescue. In 2011 he created a new model (https://caverescue.eu/wp- content/uploads/2015/03/02-Bulgarian-Stretcher. pdf) which included significant improvements compared to the previous ones. In 2008 Cave rescue team obtained a 4x4 vehicle – Toyota Hilux as a targeted support by the existing at that time Ministry of Emergency Situations. In 1988 Bulgaria hosted an International Cave Res- cue School in Vratsa and later in 1991, Bulgarian hosted the International Cave Rescue Conference. th In 2011 the 12 International Cave Rescue Confer- Demonstrations during the 12th International Cave Rescue ence was hosted in Bulgaria, Dryanovo with more Conference, cliffs near Bacho Kiro Cave. than 100 participants from 15 different countries. Photo: A. Vlaykova Participants of the 11th European Cave Recue Meeting. Photo: Elizaveta Rovkah 22 23 In 2017 in Bulgaria the 11th European Cave Res- cue Meeting was conducted. Cave Rescue In 1989, Trifon Daaliev was elected as a secretary and in 1997 he was elected as a First Vice President of the UIS Cave Rescue Commission and he is still at the same post. Since 2016 An- tonia Vlaykova is a President of the European Cave Rescue Commission of European Speleo- logical Federation. 3th Julty 2013 “Cave Rescue” was registered as independent nongovernmental organization. Be- Petko Nedkov – the first Тrifon Daaliev, dedicated his fore that time Cave rescue team was part of Bul- chairman of the Emergency life to cave rescue, chairperson ing international meetings the participants did garian Federation of Speleology. Rescue Squad, author of of Cave Rescue Bulgaria for History of UIS demonstrations and common trainings some- Cave Rescue keeps developing. New cave res- one of the most important many years and First Vice Cave Rescue Commission cue courses are held annually which complete speleology books in Bulgaria: President of the UIS Cave times. On the 11th International Cave Rescue “The ABC of SRT” the ranks of the squad. Training operations are Rescue Commission Author: Conference (ICRS) held in Aggtelek-Josvafo/ being regularly organized where situations close Gyula Hegedus Hungary in 2007 where 110 representatives of to actual accidents are being simulated. the 26 countries created the Aggtelek Agree- Organization: The organization members international par- ment which consist certain basic recommenda- Hungarian Cave Rescue Service / Hungary ticipation keeps growing in different activities tions concerning cave rescue operations. That abroad in Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Greece, Tur- Section: document may serve as support in negotiations key, Costa Rica, Spain and others. The collabo- Cave Rescue between rescue manager and administration. ration with other government and non-govern- Now it is functioning as UIS Governmental Rec- ment organizations and structures in the country Type: ommendation on Cave Rescues. Only 8 coun- is actively being worked on as well as updating Oral Presentation tries were represented on the first international and improving the regulatory base which defines 12th International Cave Rescue Conference, Dryanovo 2011. Abstract: meeting about cave rescue held at Bruxelles and all cave rescue related activities. Photo: T. Daaliev Cave Rescue Commission (CRC) is among the Han-sur-Lesse/Belgium in1963, but there were first commissions which is actively existing since 110 participants from 14 countries at Vaumar- the first steps of UIS. It was established by Alexis cus/Switzerland where the 13th ICRS was held de Martinoff in 1965. Following presidents have in 2015. Last event was held on the occasion of continued his job to realize his dream on field of the 17th ICS in Sydney/Australia where 23 cave cave rescue. As main target the presidents pro- rescuers participated and reviewed the activities moted to organize regular meetings, congresses, of the past 4 years and defined the tasks ahead. or international conferences on the subject of the subterranean help. During second international Short bio of the presenter: meeting held in Mozet/Belgium in 1971, it was de- Gyula Hegedus started his speleo career in 1972 cided to organize every four years an international when he was university student. At that time he cave rescue conference. First meeting of cave has joined the Cave Session of Meteor Touristic doctors was held at Eisriesenwelt/Austria in 1975. Club and he is currently a member of the club, and member of presidency since 2008. Nowadays CRC held conferences in different A member of Hungarian Speleological Society countries on four years and held commission since 1974 and he filled different positions dur- meetings on the occasion of ICSes. Those meeting past decades as follows: secretary, member ings deal with differents topics of rescue activity of education committee, member of disciplinary like medical, technical, communication, respon- committee, member of supervisory board and sibility, insurance policy, legal and other impor- member of presidency. tant aspects. Share the rescue informations and experiences among UIS member countries. Dur- A member of Hungarian Cave Rescue Service

24 25 also since 1974 and he filled different positions He was participant and lecturer of many domes- in that organization and participated in approxi- tic and international speleo events like confer- mately 100 rescue operations. Currently he is re- ences and congresses. He did caving activities sponsible for the international relationships. in many countries like Australia, Austria, Bulgar- Gyula Hegedus is working for Karst and Cave ia, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, France, Ger- Foundation since 1995 and he is the president many, Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, of that Foundation since 2000. Slovenia, Switzerland, UK, USA, etc. He has been elected as an adjunct secretary of He wrote one book (about a huge cave rescue Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS) during operation) and about 80 domestic and foreign 17th International Congress of Speleology held publications and took lot of presentations during in Sydney/Australia, 2017. speleo events.

Brazil, river passage in Gruta Beija Flor photo Irina Ermakova

Cave Exploration & Expeditions 26 27 Discoveries of new salt caves at Sedom salt diapir, Dead-Sea, Israel

Author(s): Boaz Langford Israel Cave Research Center, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Earth Sciences Jerusalem, Israel [email protected] Vladimir Buslov Israel Cave Research Center, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Earth Sciences Jerusalem, Israel [email protected] Yuri Lisovich Israel Cave Research Center, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Earth Sciences Jerusalem, Israel [email protected] Organization: down a huge rubber boat for the first lake and Israel Cave Research Center, the Hebrew University of Bulgarians in Gouffre Berger – 1969 Jerusalem, Institute of Earth Sciences did many things which will seem funny to the Jerusalem, Israel Author: Dr Petar Beron modern cavers, using SRT. Finally, Bulgarians crossed for the first time the -1000 m barrier and Section: Оrganization: Bulgarian Federation of Speleology reached the bottom of Gouffre Berger. It was ac- Cave explorations and expeditions Section: Cave explorations and expeditions complished by Anna Taparkova (world record for Type: Type: oral presentation women cavers, first woman crossing the -1000 Oral Presentation barrier) and P. Beron. Ivan Rashkov was suffer- Abstract: Most caves are vadose allogeneic streams, with Abstract: ing from an old trauma and had to return from Mt Sedom is an elongated salt diapir that ex- some rare phreatic chambers. The method dur- The first Bulgarian expedition in a pothole deep- -900 m. Otherwise the expedition completed posed at the SW Dead-Sea shore. The diapir ing the 80’-90’ surveys, was follow streams with er than 1000 m occurred in 1969 and was organ- without accidents and all participants returned size is 11X1.5 km and it rises from -400 m (be- significant drainage basin. Therefore, small and ized by the speleoclub “Planinets” – Sofia. It was very happy. This was the beginning of the series low sea level) up to -160. The area is extremely local openings was missed. The current method initiated by Ivan Rashkov and Nikolai Genov and of Bulgarian expeditions to deep potholes. consisted of 20 people, not all of them cavers. arid, with annual precipitation of 50 mm and includes a full survey of the entire area, as well annual precipitation-evaporation deficit of 2000 as a revisit at known caves. The longest caves Until this expedition Bulgarian cavers were used Short bio of the presenter: mm. that mapped at the present work are as at the to explore much smaller pot holes (under 242 Dr Petar Beron is born in 1940, caving since Since the early 80’ cave surveys were made at following table. The survey of Yonim cave is still m), and also much warmer. Nobody had seen 1955. Zoologist and bio-speleologist, one of the the mountain, mainly by the Israel Caves Re- in work and it seems that the cave will be the descenders or other “modern” tools. Descending founders of the Bulgarian Federation of Speleol- search Centre (I.C.R.C). About 193 caves, with second longest in the mountain, with length esti- in caves was made using ladders, with somebody ogy and President of the Federation for 32 years. more than 35 km of passages, are known to- mation of ~2 km. 55 caves are still without map securing the person descending. When arriving He is now an Honorary President. Former Direc- day at the mountain boundaries. 84 of the caves and some are also with no clear end. The fol- at the entrance of Gouffre Berger, the deepest tor of the National Museum of Natural History, found since the beginning of the last decay, dur- lowing years will be dedicated for the survey of pothole known in the world (1122 m) at that time Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Have explored ing a new survey of the mountain. Several known those caves, as well as continue with surface we met the French team of the Speleoclub of caves and cave fauna in many countries, leader caves remapped, after a changes that happened survey of the mountain side slopes. Seine and we decided to organize the descent of Bulgarian caving expeditions in Cuba, China since the original discovery or according to the together. Finally, the devices for descending and Vietnam, author of many books and articles better mapping tools that are in use today (Fig References: were brought to us personally by Fernand Petzl, on caves and cave animals. Former member of 1). That include also Malham cave, the longest Frumkin, A., 1992. The karst system of Mount it was decided to combine Bulgarian ladders and UIS Bureau and President of Balkan Speleologi- salt cave in the world, with total length of ~10 km. Sedom. (Hebrew): Jerusalem, The Hebrew Uni- French ropes and the attack started. We brought cal Union. 28 29 Figure 1: Resurvey of Notza cave, after a discovery of a new passage Cave name Length [m] Depth [m] Known /New discovery / Resurvey Malham about 10 000 135 Resurvey Yonim 1515 76 Resurvey Sedom 1799 85 Known Colonel 1448 127 Known Zehuhit 1135 82 Known Metzah 846 50 Known Gulnazia 745 65 New discovery Notza 731 91 Resurvey Kirkas 671 50 Resurvey Karbolet 576 37.5 Known Peteq 508 55.5 Known Konus 485 55 New discovery Kolnoa 462 62 Known Hanit 426 110 New discovery Lehavim 402 22 Known Mifratzim 402 76 Known versity of Jerusalem and the Society for the Pro- The expedition to resurvey the dozens of Israeli cavers and dozens more from tection of Nature in Israel, Jerusalem, 216 pp. longest salt cave in the world, 6 European countries we mapped and measured more than 10 kilometers and the title “The long- Frumkin, A., 2013. Salt karst. In: Shroder, J. (Edi- Malham cave, Mt Sedom – Israel tor in Chief), Frumkin, A. (Ed.), Treatise on Geo- est salt cave in the world” was returned to Mal- morphology. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, Author: ham cave. vol. 6, Karst Geomorphology, pp. 407–424. Yoav Negev Short bio of the presenter: Short bio of the presenter: Organization: Yoav Negev is the founder and chairman of the Boaz Langford is a researcher in the in the Is- Israeli cave explorers club Israeli cave explorers club and the founder of the Israeli cave rescue team. Yoav was one of raeli Cave Research Center (I.C.R.C), Institute of Section: Earth Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jeru- Cave explorations and expeditions the organizers and leaders of the expedition to salem. Boaz work in cave surveys in Israel and resurvey Malham cave along with Boaz Langford Type: from the Israeli Cave Research Center (I.C.R.C) other countries. In the last years Boaz cooperate Oral Presentation with studies as: Hypogenic caves at the Negev and Tony Vlaykova from Caving club and speleo desert, The longest salt cave on earth, The long- Abstract: school “Sofia”, Bulgaria. Yoav is one of the lead- est caves in Israel, Roman period refuge caves Since the completion of its first mapping and un- ing members of the Israeli speleology community. in central Israel, Ancient copper mines in the Ar- til 2006, Malham cave in Mount Sedom was con- ava Valley. sidered to be the longest salt cave in the world. In 2006, an Iranian-Czech team that worked on Vladimir Buslov and Yuri Lisovich are mem- the island of Qeshm in Iran published a map of a bers in the in the Israeli Cave Research Cent- salt cave called 3N, whose measured length ex- er (I.C.R.C). They lead a filed surveys through- ceeded the measured length of Malham Cave by out Israel, mainly at Peki’in, Meron, Sedom and hundreds of meters and turned it into the long- Mt Hermon regions. At the last decade they est salt cave in the world. From then until 2019, found more than 500 unknown caves, includ- Cave 3N held the title of the world’s longest salt ing the deepest and the most intriguing caves cave. In 2018 and 2019, in two expeditions of 10 of Israel. days each, an international effort that included 30 31 References: Bakšić, D., Bakšić, A., Bedek, J., Ozimec, R., Paar, D., 2004: Speleološka ekspedicija „Velebita 2004“, Izvješće SO PDS Velebit, Zagreb, 1 – 39 Bakšić, D., Bedek, J., Bakšić, A., 2005: Speleološka ekspedicija „Velebita 2005“, SO PDS Velebit, Za- greb, Izvješće, 1 – 25 Buzjak, N., Paar, D., Bakšić, D., 2011: Snow and ice in speleological features of Dinaric Mountains in Croatia, u: 8th EGU General Assembly, Geophysi- cal Research Abstracts: Zbornik sažetaka, EGU, Wien, 13. Rigging narrow passage in Slovachka jama Cave, about Čepelak, M., Bakšić, D., Paar, D., Malenica, M., -1250 m, on the way to Raining door (Kishna vrata) Mudronja, L., Patarčić, I., 2008: Speleološka ekspedicija „Velebita 2008“, Izvješće SO PDS Velebit, Zagreb, 1 – 20 Paar, D., Buzjak, N., Bakšić, D., Radolić, V., 2013a: Physical research in Croatia’s deepest cave system: Lukina jama – Trojama, Mt.Velebit, u: 16th International congress of speleology: Zbornik ra- dova – Volume 2 (ur.: Filippi, M., Bosák, P.), Brno, 442 – 446. Šmida, B. i sur., 1999: Velebit – Reportaž z ob- javovania hlbokych priepasti Chorvatska v rokoch 1990 – 1998 ( Velebit – Izvješće o istraživanjima dubokih jama Hrvatske od 1990 – 1998 godine), Siphon on the bottom of Slovachka jama – 1321 m Mokre noge. Photo: Marin Glušević Slovenska speleologicka spoločnost, Prešov, 1 – 118 Speleological explorations in Croatia derground is characterized by extremely vertical Rakovac, M. i sur., 2018., Slovačka jama 2015.- (2009-2019) and spacious channels. Through various speleo- 2018., u Velebitenu: izvješće SO PDS Velebit, Za- logical and scientific researches, two more spe- greb Author: leological facilities going below one thousand Železnjak, R., Mudronja, L., 2012: Speleološka ek- Marko Rakovac meters have been discovered. Discovery of the spedicija „Velebita 2012“, U: „Istraživanja dubokih largest underground vertical drop in the world jama Nacionalnog parka Sjeverni Velebit“ 2012, Organization: – Divka Gromovnica (P514) motivated speleolo- Izvješće SO PDS Velebit, Zagreb, 7 – 24 Speleological Section PDS Velebit, Croatia Rnjak G.(urednik), 2017., Speleologija; PDS Velebit, gists to intensify exploration of this very karsti- Hrvatski planinarski savez Komisija za speleologiju, Section: fied area. If we go further south, we will arrive at HGSS, SD Velebit; 2017., Zagreb Cave explorations and expeditions Crnopačke vrleti, where the largest underground Basara D., 2003: Speleološka ekspedicija Crikve- Type: system in the Dinaric Karst (40km) and the larg- na 2003 + jama Sbardella (izvješće ekspedicije), Oral Presentation est underground system in Croatia is located, SOPD Dubovac, 2003, Karlovac which is accessible throughout the year. Going Abstract: past Velebit, we come to Dinara and Biokovo Short bio of the presenter: The Dinaric Karst covers about 45% of Croatian mountains which, because of their roughness Marko Rakovac acts like a president od Cave territory. It is characterized by mountains up to and inaccessibility, often make it impossible for rescue commission of Croatian Mountain res- 1800 meters above sea level and numerous speleologists to uncover all their underground cue service and vice president of Commision speleological facilities with various hydrological secrets. Croatia, where about ten thousand spe- of speleology of Croatian mountaineering as- characteristics. It has been 27 years since the leological objects have been documented, still sociation. He was involved in the main cave discovery of the deepest Croatian pit, Lukina has many unexplored areas and eagerly awaits expeditions and explorations in Croatia in the Descending the pit “All over the world” in Slovachka jama jama (-1441 m), on Velebit mountain. Velebit un- those who want to discover its underworld. past 10 years. Cave 32 33 Speleological explorations of International expeditions 2017 and Croatian Northern Velebit karst 2019 to the Serra da Bodoquena, SW Brazil Author: Marina Grandić Author: Organization: Michael Laumanns Speleological Section PDS Velebit, Croatia Organization: Section: Speleo Club Berlin, Germany Cave explorations and expeditions Section: Type: Cave explorations and expeditions Oral Presentation Type: Oral Presentation Abstract: The Northern Velebit National Park area is part Abstract: of one of the most attractive karst complexes The 2017 international speleological expedition to the Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul in the world – the Dinaric karst region, which Underground bivouac at -300m in Nedam cave, National spreads across several countries east of the park Northern Velebit, photo: Domagoj Korais State, Brazil, resulted in 11 mapped caves with a total of 2.6 km of underground passages. This Adriatic Sea. The area of the National park, no- cave system Lukina jama-Trojama, Mt.Velebit // includes Gruta Beija-Flor, which turned out to be tably the Hajdučki Kukovi strict reserve, is char- 16th International Congress of Speeleology, Pro- a superb and sportive cave with a total length of acterized apart from exceptional surface biodi- ceedings, Vol 2. / Filippi, Michal ; Bosak, Pavel versity and geodiversity by a very high surface (ur.). Brno : Czech Speleological Society and nearly 1.4 km and a depth of 66 m. It is currently density of caves, mostly pits. Some of them have UIS. 442-446 the 4th longest cave known in Campo Grande the world’s largest subterranean vertical drops, 2. Bakšić, D-; Paar, D-; Stroj, A-; Lacković, D. do Sul State. The cave is an active sinkhole that big chambers, snow and ice, cave leeches and (2013) Northern Velebit Deep Caves // 16th In- swallows the Beija-Flor river. Also, Gruta das Fa- many other interesting properties. From the early ternational Congress of Speeleology, Proceed- das was extended by 500 m to a new length of 90s until the present day, more than 500 caves ings, Vol 2. / Filippi, Michal ; Bosak, Pavel (ur.). 1.3 km. have been explored, among which are three pits Brno : Czech Speleological Society and UIS, The 2019 expedition only returned after the deeper than 1,000 m, six pits deeper than 500 24-29 deadline for the abstracts of the EuroSpeleo m and ten pits deeper than 200 m. Lukina jama– 3. Bakšić, D. & Paar, D., (2006): Croatia and the Forum in Dolni Lozen. Thus, the results of this Trojama cave system (−1,431 m), currently the Deep Caves of Northern Velebit. Alpine Karst, expedition can only be featured during the oral deepest known pit in Croatia and in the entire Di- vol 2., ed. J. & T. Oliphant, 105-124, Cave books, presentation. naric karst region is found in this area. This year, Dayton, USA. Brazil, Descent in Gruta Beija Flor, photo Irina Ermakova during the International caving expedition “North- 4. Buzjak, N.; Bočić, N.; Paar, D.; Bakšić, D.; Short bio of the presenter: My first full scale international expedition was ern Velebit 2019” (ESP 2019-06), cavers from Dubovečak, V. (2018) Ice Caves in Croatia // My first speleological excursions were made in conducted 1988 in Turkey. Since then I partici- 8 different European countries and USA partici- Ice Caves / Persoiu, Aurel ; Lauritzen, Stein-Erik 1981. From 1984-2009 I was a member of the pated in many international expeditions to Africa, pated in the research of Hajdučki kukovi, and (ur.). Amsterdam: Elsevier, str. 335-369. editorial board of the German Speleological continued an excellent international cooperation Federation (VdHK) and from 1990-2001 editor of the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. that was formed in previous years. New deep Short bio of the presenter: the quarterly magazine of the Federation. Presi- Since 2001 I am the publisher of the interna- cave was discovered and researched, Nedam Marina Grandić, leader and coordinator of the dent of the Federation between 1994 and 2007. tional cave expedition and documentation series cave, currently 4th deepest cave in Croatia. The International expedition 2019, has performed After a break in federation work between 2007- “Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte”, which is re- results of this expedition, as well as perspectives several functions as a member of her respective 2010 I became responsible for foreign affairs in leased in English language (http://www.speleo- for future explorations will be presented. speleological society, and is currently in charge the German Speleological Federation in 2011. berlin.de). So far 75 expedition reports, country of the internal cadastre and acquiring speleo- In 2013 the European Speleological Federation monographs and regional atlases were released. References: logical literature. She has taken part in several (FSE) at its General Assembly in Casola (Italy) Numerous presentations at international speleo- 1. Paar, D.; Buzjak, N.; Bakšić, D.; Radolić, V. international, as well as domestic events, and elected me Vice-President of the FSE. I changed logical conferences were made. Over 200 spe- (2013): Physical research in Croatia’s deepest various research in the Dinaric karst area. to the position of Vice-Secretary of FSE in 2016. leological publications were released. 34 35 Explorations of the Balkan Caves - Speleological research in Laos, which the longest measures 1,827 m. In 2015, Devon Caving club 2015-2019 the Speleological Club “Z” searched again this mountain, already abandoned by speleologists, Author: Author: and managed spectacular junctions. So, it re- Petr Barák Liviu Vălenaş sulted the great cave system Pha Soung, with a development of 21,012 m. Also, in the same Organization: Devon caving club – Czech speleological society Organization: mountain, it discovered, explored and surveyed Speleological Club “Z” other 20 caves. Three of them are interesting: Section: Tham Kammatan, a huge tunnel completed by Cave explorations and expeditions Section: a large maze (total length: 2,106 m), Tham Nam Type: Cave explorations and expeditions Kouan Moo Yo (an extreme maze, with very low Oral Presentation galleries, total length: 1,705 m) and Tham Pha Type: Kouan Moo (total length: 1,055 m). Unfortunate- Abstract: Oral Presentation ly, these spectacular caves could not join the Presentation summarizing our activities and most Pha Soung system. The Pha Soung system is important results of more than 50 expeditions in Abstract: not only the third cave in Laos, but it is by far Balkan countries since 2008 to present time. The Speleological Club “Z” from Nuremberg, the most labyrinthine network. On only 1,100-m- Germany, started speleological research in Laos distance it developed 21 km of galleries. The Sites of our interest are in Montenegro, Slovenia, in 2006. Since 2015, the research moved to an- cave has 70 entrances! The cave network re- Romania and Bulgaria. other qualitative level and it organised 6 interna- sults from the river Nam Don, which during the References: tional expeditions. The expeditions have worked monsoon season floods the cavity and fills a Barák, P., Svoboda, T., Ponta, G. (2019): Ani- only in the provinces of central Laos: Khamm- closed polje, Kouan Moo. Pha Soung System ney Mountains: Captare Cave (Pestera de la ouane and Bolikhamsay. Bolikhamsay Province is a typical deep-phreatique cave, with fantas- Captare) . — Caves and karst systems of Ro- was a secondary field of activity, the longest tic forms of corrosion. We discovered in 2018 in mania (Ponta. G., Onac, B. – eds.), 227–232. surveyed cave was Tham Nang Pha Hong (215.3 Pha Soung System one palaeontological deposit Springer. m). Instead, the most searched province was with petrified bones, and in Tham Pha Kouan Barák, P., (2014): Explorâri speologice ceheşti în Khammouane. In the area of Gnomalat City the Moo, 16 golden statues of Budha, dating from vestul României. — Speomond 17, 25–27Kaman, most important caves surveyed were Tham Lod the 16th century. In 4 years, our club discovered V., Barák, P. (2013): Exploring of the Jasanka (1,310 m) and Tham Lom Yen (1,057 m); in the in Laos 44 caves, which totaled 37 km of sur- cave in Banat, Romania. — Proceedings of 16th last cave, explorations will continue next year, veyed galleries. International Congress of Speleology Volume 2 2020. The most intensive researches started in (Exploration and Cave Techniques), 161–164. 2010 in the upper basin of the river Nam Don, Short bio of the presenter: Praha. in the area of Ban Na and Ban Phondou vil- Liviu Vălenaş born in Brașov, România, on Feb- Kaman, V., Sirotek, J., Barák, P., Pazderka, lages. Near the last village, we explored and ruary 2, 1951. In 1975, he finished the faculty V.(2013): Expeditions to the Banát Mountains, surveyed two caves exceeding 2 km long, Tham of geography at the Babes-Bolyai University of Romania in 2011–2012. — Czech speleological Dan Makhia (2,093 m length) and Tham Houay Cluj, Romania, with a diploma in karst geomor- society 2009–2012, 54–55. Praha. Sai (2,043 m length); the last one discovered phology. Between 1978 and 1979 he specialized Short bio of the presenter: this year, 2019. Tham Houay Sai is a unique and in geomorphology and geochemistry of karst at Petr Barák (*1986), speleologist interested large gallery, which ends into a huge hall and a the Silesian University in Katowice, Poland. Soon about exploring new caves, countries, cultures. final sump. The research in both caves will go after ending of faculty, Muzeul Tarii Crisurilor in Focused on diving and less actively on single on. The base for all expeditions was the village Oradea City, Romania – one of the largest muse- rope technics, mapping, photodocumentation, of Ban Na. To the west of the Nam Don river ums in România, employed him as a profession- climbing, publishing. Favourite region is Balkan. is an isolated mountain, Pha Soung, meaning al speleologist. In 1979, UIS – International Union in translation: “The mountain that touches the of Speleology elected him to the commission of sky“. So far no one climbed it. At the base of geochemistry and hydrogeology of the karst. mountain, in 2009, it knew 5 caves (searched He started the speleology as a child in 1959. by one British and other two French teams), of In 1973, Liviu Vălenaş founded the speleological 36 37 The longest lava tube caves of Southeast Asia - Tan Phu and Krong No Volcanic in southern Vietnam Author: Michael Laumanns Organization: Speleo Club Berlin, Germany Section: Cave explorations and expeditions Type: Oral Presentation Abstract: International expeditions in 2013, 2014 to Tan Phu and in 2018 to Krong No contributed to the exploration of the lava tube caves (pyroducts) canic Geopark, sud du Vietnam. Spelunca, 151, in southern Vietnam, with C7 Cave (Krong No), S. 3-4; Lyon. resembling the currently longest Pyroduct of SE Asia (1,067 m long). The Krong No Volcanic Ge- Short bio of the presenter: opark strives to become a UNESCO Geopark. My first speleological excursions were made in Map of Pha Soung Mountain karst, Laos This presentation provides a thorough overview 1981. From 1984-2009 I was a member of the editorial board of the German Speleological club “Z” in Oradea City. In Romania he discov- about the geosettings, exploration history, cave Federation (VdHK) and from 1990-2001 editor of ered near 800 caves, the largest caves being the fauna and the expedition results. the quarterly magazine of the Federation. Presi- Humpleu Cave, 36.2 km; Hodobana Cave, 22.2 References: dent of the Federation between 1994 and 2007. km (the most labyrinthine limestone cave in Eu- Honda, T. & Tachihara, H. (2015): Vietnam Vol- rope); Zapodie System, 12.2 km, and so on. Liviu canic Cave Survey. Newsletter of the UIS Com- After a break in federation work between 2007- Vălenaş surveyed 120 km of galleries in various mission of Volcanic Caves, 69, p. 11-12. 2010 I became responsible for foreign affairs in caves of Romania. After the fall of communism, Honda, T.; Tachihara, H.; La The Phuc; Luong the German Speleological Federation in 2011. he settled in Federal Germany. There, he reor- Thi Tuat & Truong Quang Quy (2015): Vietnam In 2013 the European Speleological Federation ganized the Speleological Club “Z” and reorient- Volcanic Cave Survey Project Report. Report to (FSE) at its General Assembly in Casola (Italy) ed exclusively to Indochina: Thailand and Laos. the Vietnamese authorities, 7 p., 9 cave surveys. elected me Vice-President of the FSE. I changed In Laos the most important achievement is Pha Laumanns, M. (2014): Karst and Caves of South to the position of Vice-Secretary of FSE in 2016. Soung System (21,012 m total length /2018). 100 Vietnam. Part 2: Provinces of Dong Nai, Lam My first full scale international expedition was specialized articles and 4 books on the geomor- Pha Soung System, Laos. Photo by Liviu Valenas. Dong and Quang Tri. Berliner Höhlenkundliche conducted 1988 in Turkey. Since then I partici- phology of the endocarst materialized his sci- Berichte, 56, 49 p., many cave surveys; Berlin. pated in many international expeditions to Africa, entific activity. Beginning 2016 he is editing the the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. magazine “Caietele Clubului de Speologie “Z“, Laumanns, M. (2018): 2018 Cave Mapping reaching actually the number 14. Project to Krong No Volcanic Geopark, Dak Since 2001 I am the publisher of the interna- Nong Province, Southern Vietnam. Newsletter tional cave expedition and documentation series UIS Commission on Volcanic Caves, 72, S. 7-13. “Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte”, which is released in English language (http://www.speleo- Laumanns, M. (Ed.) (2018): Karst and Caves of berlin.de). So far 75 expedition reports, country South Vietnam. Part 3: The Caves of Krong No monographs and regional atlases were released. Volcanic Geopark (Dak Nong province). Berliner Numerous presentations at international speleo- Höhlenkundliche Berichte, 74, 70 S.; Berlin. Pha Soung System, Entrance no 1, Laos. logical conferences were made. Over 200 spe- Photo by Liviu Valenas. Laumanns, M. (2018): Vietnam. Krong No Vol- leological publications were released. 38 39 Speleological research in Thailand, 2006-2019

Author: Liviu Vălenaş Organization: Speleological Club “Z” Section: Cave explorations and expeditions Type: Oral Presentation

Abstract: In the Northeast of Thailand, into provinces Muk- Short bio of the presenter: Tham Nam Lot Cave, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. dahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani Liviu Vălenaş born in Brașov, România, on Feb- Photo by Liviu Valenas and next to the Mekong river the main rock is the ruary 2, 1951. In 1975, he finished the faculty quartzite sandstone. The limestone is missing. of geography at the Babes-Bolyai University of At first glance, that area is not interesting from Cluj, Romania, with a diploma in karst geomor- a speleological point of view. But, the Speleo- phology. Between 1978 and 1979 he specialized logical Club “Z” started since 2006 to prospect in geomorphology and geochemistry of karst at these provinces. The relief is a plateau sprinkled the Silesian University in Katowice, Poland. Soon with erosion witnesses between altitudes of 150 after ending of faculty, Muzeul Tarii Crisurilor in m and 450 m. In recent years, we intensified Oradea City, Romania – one of the largest muse- our searches, including international participa- ums in România, employed him as a profession- tion. We discovered 63 caves (total length: 1,3 al speleologist. In 1979, UIS – International Union km) and pits in quartzite sandstone. The long- of Speleology elected him to the commission of est caves discovered are Tham Nam Lot, Tham geochemistry and hydrogeology of the karst. Phou Pom No 1 and Tham Phanom Di No 8 He started the speleology as a child in 1959. (Great Pit), 181 m, 158 m and 110 m long. In the In 1973, Liviu Vălenaş founded the speleological top of the caves in Thailand developed in quartz- club “Z” in Oradea City. In Romania he discov- ite sandstone these three caves have the third, ered near 800 caves, the largest caves being the the fourth and the fifth position. If the Tham Nam Humpleu Cave, 36.2 km; Hodobana Cave, 22.2 Lot cave is a single rectilinear gallery, crossed by km (the most labyrinthine limestone cave in Eu- an underground river, Tham Phou Pom No 1 and Tham Nam Lot Cave, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. rope); Zapodie System, 12.2 km, and so on. Liviu Tham Phanom Di No 8 (Great Pit) are fossil and Photo by Liviu Valenas. Vălenaş surveyed 120 km of galleries in various labyrinthine caves, with several entrances. We 2 km cave. In many of the cavities, it observed caves of Romania. After the fall of communism, discovered, explored and surveyed all types of bats and other cave animals. In the Tham Phou he settled in Federal Germany. There, he reor- caves, including вЂњmini-cenotesвЂќ. The gen- Pom No 1 cave it has discovered, even at the ganized the Speleological Club “Z” and reorient- entrance, ancient ceramic tablets (see the pic- ed exclusively to Indochina: Thailand and Laos. esis of these interesting cavities is still unclear, Geological map of Ubon Ratchathani, NE Thailand as they formed in hard and abrasive rocks. So ture) and four beheaded statues of Buddha. In Laos the most important achievement is Pha far, the caves discovered have a tectonic gen- These statues are of Laotian origin, this region Soung System (21,012 m total length /2018). 100 esis, formed on faults and diaclases. However, belonged to Laos since 1828. The discovery of specialized articles and 4 books on the geomor- it is obvious that corrosion also played a role in tablets and statues confirms a theory of the au- phology of the endocarst materialized his sci- their formation in the conditions of a monsoon thor: existence of underground Buddhist temples entific activity. Beginning 2016 he is editing the climate with high rainfall. In 2020, the caves re- and not hiding places of statues from the fear of magazine “Caietele Clubului de Speologie “Z“, search will continue, and it spotted a possible an invasion. reaching actually the number 14. 40 41 Baishan 2018/19 - Reconnaissance editorial board of the German Speleological Exploration of the caves in expedition to Jilin and Heilongjiang Federation (VdHK) and from 1990-2001 editor of Banski suhodol circus in North Pirin, the quarterly magazine of the Federation. Presi- provinces, NE China SC Helictit - Sofia and dent of the Federation between 1994 and 2007. SCC Akademic – Sofia Author: After a break in federation work between 2007- Michael Laumanns 2010 I became responsible for foreign affairs in Authors: Organization: the German Speleological Federation in 2011. Pavel Bakalov and Konstantin Stoichkov Speleo Club Berlin, Germany In 2013 the European Speleological Federation (FSE) at its General Assembly in Casola (Italy) Organization: Section: elected me Vice-President of the FSE. I changed Speleo club Helictit – Sofia, Bulgaria and SCC Akademic Cave explorations and expeditions – Sofia to the position of Vice-Secretary of FSE in 2016. Type: My first full scale international expedition was Section: Oral Presentation conducted 1988 in Turkey. Since then I partici- Cave explorations and expeditions Abstract: pated in many international expeditions to Africa, Type: Northeast China is known to have karst caves as the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Oral Presentation well as volcanic caves. However, contrary to the Since 2001 I am the publisher of the interna- Abstract: spectacular karst in southern and central China, tional cave expedition and documentation series Banski suhodol circus is located in northern Pi- virtually no speleological investigations have taken “Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte”, which is re- rin-southwest Bulgaria. Caves in the region are place in NE China so far. Consequently, the area leased in English language (http://www.speleo- mostly vertical, evolved in Archaean marble with was targeted by a small team of Chinese, Rus- berlin.de). So far 75 expedition reports, country a depth of approximately 2000 m. They are of sian, Dutch and German cavers between Christ- monographs and regional atlases were released. alpine character due to the high altitude. They mas 2018 and 10th January 2019 for a lightweight Numerous presentations at international speleo- have been a subject of exploration since 1968 reconnaissance expedition. The karst along the logical conferences were made. Over 200 spe- by the cavers from “Akademik Sofia” SCC. One Hunjiang River and its tributary valleys in Jilin leological publications were released. of the caves explored is system BS No. 9-11. Af- province, as well as the Jingpohu Volcanic Ge- ter 2000 in the expeditions were involved cavers opark in Heilongjiang province were visited. The from SC “Helictit” Sofia and other clubs around area visited is located close to the North Korean the country, as well as international participants border. from Poland, Greece, Serbia, Iran, Israel etc. The Northeast China has very harsh winters with main focus is the study of BC 9-11 cave system, temperatures dropping at night to -40o Celsius. which currently has a total depth of 372 meters Daytime temperatures were around -10o. This and length of the galleries more than 1.300 me- was a challenge, but winter resembles the dry ters. In addition to the research activities in the season in NE China with continuous sunshine, caves was carried out research of the geology making the cold bearable. of the circus, the glacier, fauna and bats in the region and also various studies of the tree spe- In total 25 caves were visited, twelve of which cies, which certainly contribute to the exploration were mapped. Altogether, about 1 km of cave of the high-mountain karst in northern Pirin. passages were documented. Although this pres- Short bio of the presenter: entation also reports on the (minor) speleologi- Pavel Bakalov and Konstantin Stoichkov are cal results and especially on the bat fauna, it experienced cavers with approximately twenty focuses on the current circumstances for foreign years of experience in the Pirin mountain who cave surveyors when travelling in China on a pri- jointly organize the expeditions in the Banski vate level. suhodol circus.In addition, they take part in vari- Short bio of the presenter: ous activities in the cave system BS № 9-11, My first speleological excursions were made in like exploration of new areas, narrow passages, 1981. From 1984-2009 I was a member of the mapping etc. 42 43 Exploration of the caves in the region of the village of Karlukovo by the cavers of the caving club Helictit - Sofia

Author: Konstantin Stoichkov Organization: Speleo club Helictit – Sofia, Bulgaria Section: Cave explorations and expeditions Type: Oral Presentation

Abstract: The Karlukovo cave area is one of the most interesting karst regions in Bulgaria. The Heliktit cave club has been working hard in the region for nearly 40 years, exploring some of the most interesting sites in the area – Bankovitza – Go- liamata voda Cave system, Zadanenka Cave and others. The results of these efforts have been published in a number of publications, thus be- Recent speleological explorations in Balkan Nature Reserve was declared in year coming known to the scientific and wider audi- NW Vratsa Mountain 2003. Here are the longest climbing tours, the ence. Last but not least, this multi-year work has highest temporary waterfall (141 m) and the a crucial role to play in the ecology of the region, Authors: most visited show cave in Bulgaria. which is currently very vulnerable. Tzvetan Ostromsky, Stoyan Petkov, Ivo Tachev, Maria Vratsa karst has been studied systematically by Zlatkova different clubs and organizations in the last 60 Short bio of the presenter: Organization: years. Almost 900 caves have been discovered Konstantin Stoichkov is a caver with many years Bancovitza entance. Photo: Tanya Krasteva IICT, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria here, which made it the karst region with highest of experience. He is involved in many club and Caving club: Iskar – Sofia, Bulgaria density of caves in Bulgaria. A summary of the other projects in the field of exploration and speleological explorations in the NW part of this mapping of caves and precipices, in the field of Section: Cave explorations and expeditions reach of caves region during the last two dec- karst conservation, as well as the study of spe- ades by MOERPA Speleo Society will be given in lestological sites. Over the years he has been Type: this presentation, with an emphasis on the most involved in numerous cave expeditions both in Oral Presentation recent results from this year. the country and abroad. He is author of numerous publications. Abstract: Short bio of the presenter: Vratsa Mountain is situated in the west part of Tzvetan Ostromsky has been caving since 1982, the Balkan Mountain Range (Stara Planina). Im- when he was a student in mathematics and pressive sharp cliffs of its Northern slope are joined SPK Academic. He explored many caves rising more than 500 m very close to the town in Bulgaria and abroad and made a lot of new of Vratsa. They are built mainly of limestones discoveries in them. Cave photographer and a of Mesozoic age. Well-developed surface and member of the Bulgarian cave rescue organiza- underground karst forms are common for this tion. Currently a member of Iskar caving club Konstantin Stoichkov. Photo: Tanya Krasteva mountain. In order to protect them, the Vratsa and the Bureau of BFSp. 44 45 Morca 2019 - a short summary of the on Morca from 2017 onwards. took samples of stones, mud and debris to de- expedition termine the characteristics of Morca geologically With 28 cavers from Turkey, Bulgaria, Lebanon and its morphology. The reseach is ongoing and Author: and USA, we spent 30 days to further explore still not completed. We also made a dye test at Teodor Kisimov Morca Cave from its current depth of -919 me- the end of the cave and also put active carbons Organization: ters. In August 2019, totally 6 days of raining to possible surgences. We also took biological Caving club “Prista” – Ruse also tampered the exploration but we managed samples which are to be examined. to reach a depth of -1240 meters. The last team Section: left the exploration where there was a 15 meter We also documented the exploration by video Cave explorations and expeditions pit, with no rope at hand. Due the karstic chara- shooting. Hopefully we will have a good docu- Type: cter of Taseli Plateau, it was our dream to reach mentary at hand to watch and share with people. Oral Presentation an underground river underneath it and we have managed to do that. From the entrance to -1240 Apart from Morca Cave, we also explored other Morca cave is situated within the same geologi- meters, 8 side galleries are joining to Morca and potential caves that might connect to the side cal formation of the two deepest caves in Tur- only one of them is fossil, the rest carry water in galleries in Morca. key, Taseli Plato with an entrance of 200 meter variations of volume. Thus this shows that Morca higher elevation compared to the two of them. is a system cave yet fully waiting to be explored. With -1240 meters of depth, Morca became the Theoretically it can reach to -1600 meters depth. The total surveyed length is over 4 kms. The 3rd deepest cave in Turkey and also rank at 43th It has the potential to be the deepest cave in numbers yet to be officially scrutinized but it is deepest cave in the world, for now. Turkey and among the first 10 deepest caves in safe to mention them. the world. Since 2012, we have been exploring We thank the official sponsors from 2018 and on and off due to other cave explorations and Aside from the sportive exploration, we had sci- 2019 below for their support to the explorations: focused our attention during summer time solely entific studies conducted. Our caver geologists 2018 NSS USA 2019 European Speleological Federation 2019 Speleo Club Du Liban (Technical Equip- ment) 2019 Aventure Verticale for caving bags and chest harnesses 2019 Korda’s (though we didn’t receive the ropes) 2019 The Robertson Association for funding of the dye test

Short bio of the presenter:

Teodor Kisimov has more than 25 years of speleological experience in Caving club “Prista” – Ruse. He participated in a number of significant caving expeditions, some of which are: Turkey – Caves: EGMA (-1429 m), Kuzgun (-1400 m), Morca (-1240 m), Pinargozu (+720 m), etc.; Abk- hazia – Caves: Kruber-Voronia (-2080 m in 2005 and -2145 in 2013), Snejnaya-Mejonaya-Iluzia (-1756 m); Slovenia (Chehi 2), Albania/Maja Ara- pit, Serbia (Lazareva pecina) and many others.

46 47 CaveSurvey project, surveying caves Karst and Speleology in the South with common hardware Abstract: Caucasus of Armenia CaveSurvey is about digitally surveying caves Author: with widely available tools. The presentation Author: Aleksandar Stoev makes overview of the project, the supported Rosario Ruggieri measurement tools and provided options. It gives Organization: Organization: some insights and is open for discussion with CIRS Ragusa, Italy SK Paldin Plovdiv, Bulgaria cavers who are interested in surveying. Section: Section: References: Cave explorations and expeditions Cave explorations and expeditions https://github.com/lz1asl/CaveSurvey Type: Oral Presentation Type: Oral Presentation + Poster Presentation Short bio of the presenter: Software engineer who likes caving Abstract: In the years 2016-2017-2018, an international team of cavers and researches of the Armenian Speleological Society and the CIRS - Hyblean In 2016 the aforementioned researches involved Center of Speleo-Hydrogeological Research of the karst area of Eghegnadzor - Vaots dzor Marz Ragusa, Italy, carried out three geokarst cam- province; in 2017 the northeastern sector of the paigns on some areas of the south Caucasus country, namely the karst region of Ijevan, in- of Armenia. cluding the southern slopes of the Ijevan Moun- tain Range and the Western Hakhum Mountain The researches concerned both the study of the Range, as well as the volcanic District of Lori; surface geomorphological karst aspects (such in 2018, the third phase finally took care of the as dolines, relict karst features and karren), and Ararat Region and the Sisian volcanic Region. the exploration and survey of karst and volcanic caves. As preliminary results, n. 21 caves of different types and genesis (epigenic, hypogenic, fluviokarst, structural and volcanic), were explored and surveyed, some of which showed particular morphologies concerning their speleogenesy. Interesting paleontological, paleoanthropologi- cal and biospeleological elements have also emerged from some caves due to the presence of fossil bones of animals and humans, with the discovery of red ocher animal paintings on walls and remains of ancient fires, and with the ob- servation of a singular coleoctera with a blue- shimmering back (maybe a new species).

From these early researches, a karst context of Armenia of particular relevance highlights for the aforementioned various scientific aspects, as well as for the hydrogeological research of drinking karst waters, and finally as regards the valorization, conservation, protection and, where possible, touristic use of some surface and un- 48 49 derground karst Geosites of particular aesthetic and / or scientific value. Short bio of the presenter: I am Hydrogeologist and Karstologist PhD –– Member of Karst Commission of Internation- al Union of Hydrogeologists –– Member of Scientific Commission of Ge- osites of the Sicily Region –– Head of CIRS - Hyblean Center of Speleo- Hydrogeological Research, Ragusa, Italy –– Past person in charge for the Caves Regional Register of Sicily –– Past President of Sicilian Speleological Fed- eration From 1988 to 2018 I have organized 32 international expeditions in different parts of the world (Asia, Africa, Central and South America), in collaboration with universities, research insti- tutes and National Speleological Societies, with the aim of geokarst research and speleological exploration. Phruno River Cave. Photo: Phil Bence I have published some books on karst phenom- Karst and Cave Conservation in Short bio of the presenter: ena of Sicily and more than a hundred articles Myanmar Joerg Dreybrodt is a member of German Spe- with both scientific and speleological documen- leological Federation and Swiss Society of Spe- Author: leology, founder and main coordinator of the My- tation, in national and international journals and Joerg Dreybrodt reviews. anmar Cave Documentation Project, exploration Organization: of the karst of Northern Laos from 2000 until Swiss Society of Speleology Bern, Switzerland 2013 and in Myanmar since 2009. Section: Cave explorations and expeditions Type: Oral Presentation Abstract: The karst of Myanmar is one of the most extensive in Southeast Asia. A systematic documentation is performed since 2009 by the Myanmar Cave Documentation Project. Large river caves of 3-5 km length were explored on the Shan plateau. A database is established containing about 650 karst objects with 80 km of surveyed cave passages. The biodiversity is high with new species of cave geckos and blind fish. The talk presents an overview of areas, documented fauna and gives an outlook on a karst conservation approach. Karst Mountains Kayah. Photo: Manuela Scheuerer 50 51 Wonders and remarks of Bulgarian caves and karst

Author: Tzvetan Ostromsky Organization: IICT, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria Caving club: Iskar – Sofia, Bulgaria Section: Cave Geology, Geomorphology and Geography of Karst Type: Oral Presentation

Abstract: Short description and beautiful photos of some Prohodna Cave Photo: Tzvetan Ostromsky of the most remarkable caves and karst phenomena in Bulgaria will be given in this presentation. The presentation is intended to describe also the main features and current state of the spelological explorations of the reachest karst regions in the country. Some problems of protection and conservation of sensitive cave forma- tions and karst terrains will be mentioned too.

Short bio of the presenter: Tzvetan Ostromsky has been caving since 1982, when he was a student in mathematics and Elata Cave Photo: Tzvetan Ostromsky joined SPK Academic. He explored many caves in Bulgaria and abroad and made a lot of new discoveries in them. Cave photographer and a member of the Bulgarian cave rescue organization. Currently a member of Iskar caving club and the Bureau of BFSp.

Cave Geology, Geomorphology and Geography of Karst Rushova Cave Photo: Tzvetan Ostromsky 52 53 Morphological analysis of 3D subsurface structures with the use of a handheld laser scanning system. The case study of Koutouki Cave, Peania, Greece.

Author: Aliki Konsolaki Organization: Senior member of Hellenic Speleological Society, Greece Section: Cave Geology, Geomorphology and Geography of Karst Type: Oral Presentation

Phreatic channel in the Rakin Ponor Cave, Miroč Mt, Djerdap gorge seen from the locality Ploče (photo: J. Ćalić) Abstract: Djerdap Geopark (photo: V. Ljubojević) In the presented case study, we combined re- Caves and karst of the Djerdap hydrogeological and geomorphological systems. mote sensing techniques and lidar technology by using a handheld laser scanner in order to aspiring Geopark – research and The area of the Djerdap National Park has been supplemented by significant geoheritage sites, generate a complete 3D model of the Koutouki management challenges in order to establish the Djerdap Geopark, which Cave, at Peania, Greece (Fig.1). Using open – Fig. 1: Different aspects of the point cloud looking north source software we made a quantification anal- Author: applied for the UNESCO Global Geoparks Net- (a) and south (b). The color scale represents the elevation Jelena Ćalić work. The aspiring Geopark includes the area of ysis of the terrain and generate morphological variation, whilst parts of the cave have been removed in order 1330 km2, with high level of geodiversity, within features of the speleothems with high accuracy to reveal the speleothems and human intervention (stairs, Organization: which karst and caves take considerable place. and detail in order to estimate the speleogenesis passage, platform). ASAK caving club, Belgrade; Federation of Speleological Out of 10 deepest caves in Serbia, 6 are locat- and monitor the evolution of the cave (Fig. 2). Organizations of Serbia (SSOS) Geographical Institute „Jovan Cvijić“ of the Serbian ed on Miroč Mt, which is a part of the aspiring Academy of Sciences and Arts Geopark. The deepest one is Rakin Ponor, with Short bio of the presenter: the denivelation of 303 m. Rajkova Pećina Cave Graduate of Geology and Geoenvironment of Section: is the only touristic cave, while the majority of EKPA University, Msc graduate student of Geog- Cave Geology, Geomorphology and Geography of Karst other caves are not accessible without the spe- raphy and Environment. Also a presenter at the Type: leological equipment. Apart from the caves, the 15th International Congress of the Geological Oral Presentation Djerdap Geopark is characterised by significant Society of Greece. fluviokarst features, the most typical of which are Abstract: five natural bridges. Djerdap Gorge (Iron Gates, Porţile de Fier) is situated in south-eastern Europe, along the Danube The presentation includes the review of the most River course, connecting Serbia and Romania. important caves and fluviokarst sites, as well as The gorge is entrenched into the mountain range the discussion on challenges in their protection Fig. 2: (a) Column classification according to their base of the Southern Carpathians, with the Pannonian and management. Basin on the west and the Dacian (Lower Dan- elevation. The highest base elevation altitudes are located at the westernmost and the lowest at the easternmost parts ube) Basin on the east. With the length slightly Short bio of the presenter: of the cave. The highest percentage of columns was based exceeding 100 km, it is the longest gorge in Eu- Karst admirer since childhood, caver since 1996, geographer since 1998, PhD in Karstology ob- at the mean elevation of the cave (516.5 m) (b) Column rope. The narrowest sections of the gorge are classification according to the column height. The highest are entrenched into the Upper Jurassic and Lower tained in 2009 (University of Nova Gorica). Present research related to geomorphology. located also on the west side of the cave at 7.23 m (column Cretaceous limestones, forming several karstic no. 1) and 5.8 m (columns no. 5) height. 54 55 “The Caves” - the first periodical on Editorial board was headed by Nikolay G. Maksi- Tides of Adriatic Sea in the caves of karst and caves in Russia movich since 2008. At present, the collection is Classical Karst: The case of Pozzo dei published regularly once a year. protei di Monfalcone (Italy) Authors: Nikolay Maksimovich, Olga Meshcheriakova The main rubrics of the collection are devoted Authors: Rino Semeraro, Federico Valentinuz, Eduardo Klassen, Organization: to the caves of the world, methods of studying Institute of Natural Sciences of Perm State National them, mineralogy and geochemistry of caves, Mauro Pincin, Stefano Rejc, Luciano Russo, Michele Research University speleotherapy, archeology, protection and ra- Soranzo, Maurizio Tavagnutti Perm, Russia tional use of underground spaces, reviews and Organization: Centro Ricerche Carsiche “C. Seppenhofer” Section: reports on events and publications in the field Cave Geology, Geomorphology and Geography of Karst of speleology and karstology, as well as other Section: materials related to caves. Cave Geology, Geomorphology and Geography of Karst Type: Oral Presentation Type: The full-text editions of “The Caves” are avail- Poster Presentation Abstract: able on the homepage nsi.psu.ru/cave and other “The Caves” was founded in 1947 by Professor scientific and popular websites such as elibrary. Abstract: Georgy A. Maksimovich who became the first ru, books.google.ru etc. The effects of the tides of the Adriatic Sea within editor-in-chief. The digest was called “The Spe- the Classical Karst are little known. In the years leological Bulletin“ at that time and was the first The digest is recommended to speleologists, ge- from 1977 to 1980, in the then Yugoslavia, a se- Soviet periodical on karst. Since 1961, it was ologists, geographers, ecologists, biologists, as ries of investigations were started in the area of published under the name “The Caves“. well as anyone interested in karst and caves. Klariči, today in Slovenia, for the construction of the wells which will then give rise to the Slov- enian Karst aqueduct. Thus the effects of the northern Adriatic tides in karst groundwater were In the water basin of the Pozzo dei Protei di documented for the first time. The lack of knowl- Monfalcone we installed a CTD-Diver probe from edge on the subject, in addition to the singularity Eijleikamp (Netherlands) by the Centre for karst of the phenomenon, was the reason that induced researches “C. Seppenhofer” of Gorizia (Italy) the Karst Research Center “C. Seppenhofer ”of with the purpose to record the variations of lev- Gorizia to launch a research project on the Pozzo el, temperature and electrical conductivity and dei Protei of Monfalcone (Classical Karst NW) above all to verify the possible correlations with aimed at investigating the possible effects of tides the tides of the high Adriatic Sea. in a karstic cavity of the area in question, buffered The Pozzo dei Protei di Monfalcone is de- towards the south, ie towards the sea, by a series veloped in the limestones of Repen formation of alluvial and marine sediments. In the water of (Cenomanian-Turonian). In the south, there are the shaft the proteus (Proteus anguinus Laurenti, the limestone of the Sežana formation (Turonian 1768) has been observed, permanently. p.p.-Campanian p.p.) buried by Quaternary and The entrance of the shaft is located in the rail- marine sediments. The limestone of Sežana for- way station of Monfalcone (Gorizia, Italy) at mation crops from the continental and marine 23.18 m a.s.l. The groundwater level is about Quaternary sediments 2 km SE of the Pozzo 2.5 m above the bottom of the cavity at an aver- dei Protei di Monfalcone, forming the two small age altitude of 1.89 m a.m.s.l. 4.4 km southeast hills (Insulae Clarae) of the Roman Baths, where there are the Springs of Timavo while 750 m to there are thermal water emergencies from a car- the south the artificial Valentinis Canal receives bonate reservoir deep through the fault system water from the Isonzo River and in Monfalcone of the Palmanova Line. The shaft has an axis flows into the lagoon area connected to the Gulf NNE-SSW, corresponding to the large joints that of Trieste (Panzano Bay). characterize it. This ancient phreatic morpho- 56 57 logical characteristic is maintained from about varied between 12.16 and 12.71 °C (average 5 meters below its roof to the bottom. In the temperature 12.41 °C). phreatic part the diving exploration has identi- The level fluctuations observed in the cave are fied an impracticable conduct with a triangular the result of several factors: the allogenic re- section of about 30 x 30 cm, developed along a charge by losses of the Isonzo River inside the NNE-SSW joint. The shaft is located in the hinge Karst and autogenic recharge due to precipita- area of a small synform fold with anti-dinaric tion. These oscillations with periods between 11 axis. It could be hypothesized that in the vadose and 13 hours are also observable in the Pozzo phase the slow water flow occurred along the dei Protei di Monfalcone and have a maximum layers in the depression zone of rocky mass. daily excursion between about 10–12 cm and The karst hydrology to the north of the Pozzo 5–6 cm respectively during spring tides and dei Protei di Monfalcone is dominated by the wa- neap tides when the variations in sea level in the ter circulation of the closed or open polja of the Panzano Bay are about 130 cm and 50–60 cm lakes of Doberdò, Mucille and Pietrarossa, then respectively. The lag between the height of the from the relationships between superficial infil- tide and the maximum water level reached in the tration and the contribution of the river Vipacco cave is about 4–4.5 h. This phase shift is mainly and above Isonzo. due to the characteristics of the aquifer and the During the monitoring period in the Pozzo dei fact that it comes into contact with the sea at Protei di Monfalcone the water level fluctuated the system’s springs (among which we remem- between 1.73 m a.m.s.l. and 2.32 m a.m.s.l. ber the numerous coastal springs) and indirectly (average level 1.89 m a.m.s.l.). Excluding the through the gravelly, sandy and silty Quaternary changes in level caused by tidal oscillations and unconsolidated sediments of alluvial and marine moderate rainfall in the area that caused an in- origin. crease in the discharge of the Isonzo River, a The EC (K25) of the waters of the Pozzo dei decrease in the level of water in the cave was Protei di Monfalcone in the period of 348 μS/ observed. The electrical conductivity (EC K25) cm is slightly higher than those measured for fluctuated between 336 and 387 μS/cm (aver- Doberdò Lake, and comparable with those of age 348 μS/cm), while the water temperature the near caves and karstic springs. The EC (K25) of the phreatic water of three wells in the alluvial aquifer NE of Monfalcone is between 443 and 463 μS/cm in clear contrast to the karstic aquifer. We also observed variations in the EC (K25), 4–5 μS/cm near the spring tides and 2–3 μS/cm near the neap tides, with a si- nusoidal pattern, and a period comparable to that of the tides (between 11 and 14 h), but with a lag of 6.5 h respect to the increase of the water level in the cave due to the tide. It is excluded that the cave is directly affected by a saltwater wedge. The cyclical variations of EC (K25) observed could be due to the entry into the cave of waters with greater mineralization coming from the joints of rock mass or from the karstic conduit discovered at the bottom, mobilized by the increase and release of head loss caused by the high tides. Cave Biology / Bio speleology 58 59 Study of the nutrient contribution of cave bat colonies to surface ecosystems

Author: Stanimira Deleva

Organization: Burgas-NEPIAST Caving Club, Bulgaria,

Section: Cave Biology / Bio speleology

Type: Oral Presentation

Abstract: We investigated the contribution of cave-roosting Rh lepidus, mine of Fersman Photo: Heliana Dundarova bats to nutrient input into aquatic ecosystems in additional ecosystem service, namely providing caves with underground streams in Costa Rica, nutrients to surface aquatic ecosystems. Underground Habitats as a Unit Bulgaria and Borneo. Our results showed that for Conservation of Vulnerable the water exiting caves with large bat colonies Short bio of the presenter: Bat Communities in South-Western has higher levels of nutrients and those nutri- Stanimira Deleva is a biologist, cave explorer, ents are further assimilated by plants on river and conservationist, currently pursuing her doc- Kyrgyzstan banks. Our study shows that cave bats provide toral degree at the University of Costa Rica. Author: Heliana Dundarova Organization: Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria Section: Cave Biology / Bio speleology Type: Oral Presentation Fieldwork, mine of Fersman. Photo: Heliana Dundarova Abstract: South-western Kyrgyzstan is a transboundary territory located in Central Asia. During the project, 11 target caves were explored. Most of them are important nursery sites for Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. lepidus, Myotis blythii and M. emarginatus. In addition, three of the registered species (R. hipposideros, Barbastella capsica and Tadarida teniotis) are in the Red Data Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. Short bio of the presenter: Heliana Dundarova is a Chief Assistant at the Insti- tute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research. Par- ticipated in speleo expeditions on the Balkan Penin- sula, Central Europe, Central, and Southwest Asia. Azhidar Unkur cave 60 61 Biospeology in Kyrgyzstan Intelligent Virtual Personal Assistant for Bat Scientists Author: Josiane Lips Authors: 1 2 3 Section: Angel Ivanov , Stanimira Deleva , Daniela Orozova Cave Biology / Bio speleology Organization: Type: Bulgarian Federation of Speleology – Board Member, Oral Presentation Burgas-NEPIAST Caving Club, Bulgaria, CES-ESCARPE Caving Club, Andalusia, Spain Abstract: Grupo Espeleológico Anthros, Costa Rica In June 2018 Alexey Dudashvili organised an ex- Section: pedition, the main purpose of which was speleo Cave Biology / Bio speleology biological research in the caves of Kyrgyzstan. Type: We were 7 cavers attending that expedition, 4 Oral Presentation of us were biologists : 2 specialists for aquatic fauna, one for bats and I for terrestrial fauna. Abstract: I will present the results of my search in 10 Our life is benefited by the use of contemporary caves. Of course, a lot of species have not yet technologies. Most of these technologies are been identified. However, about 80 different spe- widely used in scientific studies. Many bat re- cies have been collected. searchers, however, still follow traditional methods of collecting and processing data, not taking Short bio of the presenter: advantage of the potential of modern inventions. Josiane Lips, caver since 1975 (groupe Vulcain, Some of these methods include collecting data people. One major advantage of the VIPAs is Lyon, France). Exploration of Gouffre Jean-Ber- first on paper, and then have it digitalized long that they collaborate with the user in different nard. President of the scientific commission of after the end of the fieldwork. Another common ways, and in virtually unlimited tasks and ap- the french federation of speleology and respon- practice is the use of several digital devices plications, by hiding the complexity of difficult sable of GEB (https://environnement.ffspeleo.fr/ such as cameras and sound recorders in com- tasks, performing tasks on behalf of the user, biospeologie/) bination with paper notebooks. These practices and teaching the user to monitor events and pro- often cause long delays before the completion cedures. of processing the gathered information. Manual The presented VIPA is a BDI-based, mobile data transfer often leads to typographical errors, software developed using freely available Open and during the period from obtaining the infor- Source technologies. Its initial version includes mation to digitalizing it, valuable notes and ob- some basic functionalities such as gathering of servations could be lost or remain undetected. fully customizable field data, processing of this The data collection process will be significantly data, analysis and reports. eased if a researcher could use a single entity The future plans include integrating this software for collecting, storing and processing data. into a Virtual Collaboration Space for Bat Scien- Here we present such an entity – Virtual Intel- tist as an additional abstraction layer of interop- ligent Personal Assistant (VIPA) designated to eration. facilitate the field work of the bat researchers. VIPAs are software agents designated to assist Short bio of the presenter: users in performing specific tasks. They are able Angel Ivanov is a PhD Student and assistant to communicate, cooperate, discuss, and guide professor at the Burgas Free University, Burgas 1 Burgas Free University, Faculty of Computer Science and En- Bulgaria. He is also an experienced cave ex- gineering, Burgas, Bulgaria, [email protected] 2 University of Costa Rica, Faculty of Biology, San Jose, Costa plorer participating in many scientific research Rica, [email protected] projects. 62 63 Microbial life in Brazilian caves: reporting the structure of bacterial communities

Authors: Caio César Pires de Paula1, Maria Elina Bichuette2, Mirna Helena Regali Seleghim2

Section: Cave Biology / Bio speleology

Type: Oral Presentation

Abstract: Few studies have used next generation sequenc- ing to assess the microbial diversity in tropical Biospeleology in Germany Methods caves. In order to better understand microbial to increase public and specialist structure in tropical caves, DNA was extracted interest from soil and sediment samples in four tropical Author: subterranean systems located in Terra Ronca Hannes Köble State Park, Central of Brazil: Angélica cave, São Bernardo cave, Terra Ronca I and Terra Ronca Organization: II caves. After DNA extraction, the V3-V4 regions VdHK – Verband der deutschen Höhlen- und Karstforscher e. V. (16S) were amplified and the sequences were used for the analysis. Environmental variables Section: (such as temperature, air and substrate humid- Cave Biology / Bio speleology ity, pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen) re- Type: lated to microbial communities were analysed. Oral Presentation The bacterial communities showed dominance Abstract: of Actinobacteria (38.52%) and Proteobacteria ammonia and nitrite coupled to CO2 fixation in In the last years, biospeleology in Germany (mainly Alphaprotebacteria (10.41%) and Gam- subterranean environments. Cave entrance of has got out of its life in the shadows and is maproteobacteria (8.98%)) in subterranean Terra Ronca II stood out with high dominance currently becoming one of the most interest- samples. Bacterial communities showed 52.82% of Halobacteria (more than 60.0 % of the bacte- ing disciplines in cave science. This is mainly OTUs from uncultivable organisms. High propor- rial community), a group of Archaea. This is the because of publicity campaigns like the cave tion of bacterial OTUs with saprophytic function first evidence of Halobacteriaceae dominance indicates the importance of the detritivorous animal of the year campaign, but also a lot of in a cave, microorganisms known for chemoau- food chain in those tropical caves. The strong further measures helped to improve the reputa- totrophic activity and nitrate reduction. Microbial correlation between the structure of the micro- tion of cave life. The presentation will show a life inside caves showed greater dissimilarity bial communities and the amount of organic potpourri of different actions and evaluate them between communities than in surface environ- carbon supports this statement. Bacterias of the relating to their effect on the public and on the ments. There was a clear distinction between the family Nitrosomonadaceae and genus Nitrospira scientific world. habitats studied in the ordination analyses, espe- were found in all collected samples, which are cially when only microorganisms with abundance microorganisms indicating oxidizing activities of Short bio of the presenter: less than 0.01% (rare biosphere) were consid- Responsible for Cave Protection/Biology at ered. This study showed that although microbial Landesverband für Karst- und Höhlenforschung 1 Institute of Hydrobiology (HBÚ), Biology Centre CAS, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. communities in tropical caves have similar com- Baden-Württemberg e. V. since 2014 2 Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos – SP, Brazil. position (filos and classes), as caves around the 64 65 world, subterranean communities have specific search results can to corroborate with the knowl- microorganisms (genus and species), many of edge of microbial biodiversity and to discuss the which are unknown, present in those habitats. functional role of the microbial communities in The uniqueness of the microorganism species the dynamics of natural environments. In subter- presents in each cave and the strong relation- ranean environments, the researcher intends to ship with the input of allochthonous nutrients promote the discussion about the functional role make microbial studies in tropical caves a prior- and the dynamics of microorganisms. Finally, the ity tool to evaluate the use and management of researcher have experience in biotechnological these environments. Increased efforts to study processes, looking for new potentially valuable diversity and microbial communities dynamics microorganisms, such as higher yields enzyme allow the knowledge of new species of microor- producers, isolated from the subterranean en- ganisms, relationships of microbial communities vironment. with the ecological dynamics in subterranean habitats and possible risks in the exploitation of that environment. Resavska Cave, sampling site where H.brekkaensoides Short bio of the presenter: was found Caio César Pires de Paula is a biologist and Humidophila brekkaensoides (Bock) (2018): Cyanobacteria in tourist caves in Serbia and started cave studies in the Federal Univer- Lowe, Kociolek, J.R.Johansen, Van de (Potpeć and Stopić): biofilm at the entrance and sity of São Carlos, Brazil. Nowaday he work in lampenflora. The 3rd Early Career Researcher Vijver, Lange-Bertalot & Kopalová: Biology Centre CAS, at the Institute of Hydrobi- Symposium on Cyanobacteria, Cyano 2018, aerophytic diatom from the caves of Serbia ology, Czech Republic. The researcher worked Freiburg, Germany. 12-14.09.2018. Abstract in tropical caves seeking to understand nutrient Authors: book. p. 59. 1 2 3 flow and microbial dynamics. Your focus of study Nataša Nikolić , Slađana Popović , Danijela Vidaković , Nikolić N., Subakov Simić G., Popović S. (2018): 1 is fungi and bacteria communities in several ec- Gordana Subakov Simić1, Jelena Krizmanić Effect of hydrogen peroxide solution on green osystems, with special attention to caves. Re- Section: algae culture. BTAK Symposium 27-30.09. 2018, Cave Biology / Bio speleology Băile Herculane, Romania. Abstract book. p. 41. Type: Short bio of the presenter: Poster Presentation Nataša Nikolić is a PhD Student at Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade. The focus of her Abstract: thesis is monitoring algae growth in caves and Diatom Humidophila braekkensoides is rare, finding solution for their removal from cave sub- aerophytic species found in seven caves of Ser- stratum. bia. First time was found at Alp’s rock in thin layer and described as a species that prefer non calcareous substratum. Our results show that H.brekkaensoides is found at limestone in caves, sporadically at the entrance, and in higher abundance inside, near artificial light. Cell dimensions differ from first record and it is shown that species can tolerate wider range of ecological parameters. References: Nikolić N., Zarubica N., Gavrilović B., Predojević D., Trbojević I., Subakov Simić G., Popović S. 1 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, Light microscope micrographs of 11000 Belgrade, Serbia H.brekkaensoides: valvae view. 2 University of Belgrade, Scientific Institution, Scale bar = 10 Вµm. 66 67 Samar Cave: seasonal analysis of phototrophic microorganisms, ecological and biofilm parameters

Authors: Slađana Popović1, Jelena Krizmanić2, Danijela Vidaković3, Olga Jakovljević2, Ivana Trbojević2, Dragana Predojević2, Milka Vidović1, Gordana Subakov Simić2 Section: Cave Biology / Bio speleology Type: Poster Presentation

Abstract: Cyanobacteria and algae, ecological, and pa- with Cyanobacteria according to PCA. rameters of biofilm developed at rock substratum at the entrance of Samar Cave (Serbia), Short bio of the presenter: were analysed seasonally. Of 141 taxa, Cyano- Slađana Popović acquired PhD in Biological Sci- bacteria were dominant (coccoid forms prevailed ences, Algology. Her research focus on explo- – the most diverse was Gloeocapsa), followed ration and monitoring of biofilms, cyanobacteria by Bacillariophyta, then Chlorophyta. Diversity and algae at cave entrances and lampenflora in was higher in December and March, lower in show caves. May and August. Chl a values and biofilm water Slađana Popović is member of International So- content had the same trend and were correlated ciety for Subterranean Biology

1 University of Belgrade, Scientific Institution, Institute of Chemistry, Techno Cave Protection 68 69 Clean Up The Dark – а Proposal Mapping and valuing karst For а European Network For Cave underground geodiversity in cave Cleaning And Protection Lokvarka, Croatia Authors: Author: Matea Talaja and Valerija Butorac Ferdinando Didonna Organization: Organization: Speleology Department “Željezničar”, The Speleological Italian Speleological Society, Italy Committee of the Croatian Mountaineering Association, Section: Zagreb, Croatia Cave Protection and coordination of cave cleaning and cave pro- Section: tection, and so pushing the European speleo- Type: Cave Protection Inside Lokvarka cave Source: www.lokve.hr Oral Presentation logical community to take more action for cave protection and became a stronger stakeholder in Type: Oral Presentation with the use of modified relative relief evalua- Abstract: relation with EU and national institutions and the tion method which is common geoecological The Italian Speleological Society coordinates general public. Abstract: method used by Croatian geomorphologists and the event Puliamo il Buio, and acts since 2005 Short bio of the presenter: The rising interest in geoheritage and geodiver- geoecologists. Important to notice is that all the at local level in partnership with caving clubs, Advisor to the Italian Speleological Society, del- sity concepts resulted in conduction of inven- data included in the valorization is primary data associations, companies, local authorities and egate to the European Speleological Federation, tories and evaluations of abiotic part of natural directly collected by researches. municipalities. The development Clean Up the heritage in different parts of world. Yet, signifi- coordinator of various environmental projects This work will determine initial/occurring state of Dark European Network for the communication such as Cave animals. cant part of geoheritage and geodiversity is being neglected among experts and refers to the the geodiversity elements and the spatial distri- caves. Mostly all of the scientific work that has bution of geodiversity value as basis for further been done in geoheritage and geodiversity re- protection and management. Complete analysis fers to surface geological and geomorphologi- and valorization will serve as basis for abiotic cal phenomena or processes, while underground cave monitoring. As well part of the results will features are reduced to sites and are considered be used as basis for production of new educa- as points without taking into account their real tional materials and presentation of the whole spatial extent and secondary geoheritage fea- cave environment. Valorization will be done by tures placed inside the caves. Caves as sites following criteria: intrinsic value, scientific value are considered as geosites, but due to their spa- and educational value. All the results could also tial extent and abundance of abiotic features in be implemented into this site management plan. themselves they contain more geosites or areas Need for this kind of research is even greater of high geodiversity. with the regard to the use as show cave.

Cave Lokvarka, located in Mountainous region Short bio of the presenter: of Croatia in the settlement Lokve near Zagreb- Valerija Butorac is research assistant at Depart- Rijeka highway. Lokvarka is protected as geo- ment of Geography, Faculty of Science, Univer- morphological monument and it is used as show sity of Zagreb where she is doing a research cave since 1912. Due to relatively recent intro- in Geomorphology, Speleology and Geoecology. duction, development and use of geodiversity After the graduation at University of Zagreb with and geoheritage concept in geosciences, and master degree in Geography she was working as from the other side lack of appliance in protec- expert associate in Strategical Planning and En- tion and management of caves, there is a need vironment Protection in private companies in Za- for its implementation. In last decade a large greb, Croatia. She is an active member and sec- number of geodiversity and geoheritage valori- retary at Speleology Department “Željezničar” zation methods emerged. In this work geodiver- from Zagreb, and is currently working on her sity data analysis and valorization will be done PhD thesis. 70 71 Introduction of schoolchildren to field work on karst and caves

Author: Franc Malečkar Organization: Center for the curricular and extracurricular Activities, Ljubljana; Slovenia Section: Cave Protection Type: Oral Presentation

Abstract: Schoolchildren can connect in the active way the interaction of the natural and social elements and prosesses into the complex understand- ing of the coexistence of man and nature. The sense to maintain sustainable living is proved with practical examples, eg. the protection of karst aquifers.

With the team field activity the child can express th Speleovivarium, cave Dimnice. Photo: Franc Malečkar 6 EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium put, best practice and exchange of knowledge. the skills that into the school can not, provides “Underground Biotope and Geotope; The Symposium will be organized in coopera- experiential education, which also means that tion with the German Federal Agency for Nature Best Practice of Protection” this method works effectively and is also reflect- Conservation. ed in evaluations. Author(s): Preferably we would like to have the expert or Jean-Claude Thies, ECPC president the main responsible person for Natura 2000 References: cave monitoring questions of each FSE member Malečkar, F., 2001: Le attivita didattiche del Organization: state’s speleological organization present at this European Cave Protection Commission (ECPC) Centro carsologico Dimnice. Per un approcio symposium to exchange experience, practical didattico alla divulgazione della speleologia, atti Section: issues, cross-border coordinations and reporting e materiali. CD, dida2000/album-materiali/dim- Cave Protection problems. nice, Fed,Speleo Marchigiana. Type: Malečkar, F., 2004.1: Speleodidaktika v Ukrajini.- Oral Presentation References: Šolski razgledi, 55/3, 14, Ljubljana. Previous EuroSpeleo Protection Symposia Malečkar, F., 2004: Active cognition of Karst Abstract: 2008 – Vercors, FR Caves and Surface, ISCA, 177-180, Postojna Following the cycle of 2 years the next EuroSpe- 2012 – Muotathal, CH leo Protection Symposium will be held on 22-27 2014 – Baille Herculane, RO Short bio of the presenter: September 2020 on the island of Vilm in Ger- 2016 – ESC-Yorkshire, GB Franc Malečkar has been working for more mnany. 2018 – Ebensee, AT than two decades as an instructor in the Center The 2020 EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium’s for the curricular and extracurricular Activities, theme of Underground Biotop and Geotop, Best Short bio of the presenter: Ljubljana, where he is responsible for several Practice of Protection – Expert Meeting: Natura Being member of the ECPC since its beginning one-day programs with karstological content. 2000 Cave Habitats will focus on scientific and in 2007 the presenter occupies the post of presi- technical aspects of cave and Karst monitoring, dent since 2015 and is well known from previous Children’s painting ex tempore in the Dimnice cave protection and conservation, on speleological in- organized symposia on cave protection issues. 72 73 Karst and Cave Conservation within action plan for sustainable development and to the Sustainability Goals of the make the worlds a better place until 2030. They United Nations receive increased attention within government institutions for grant applications and assess- Authors: ments. The Cave & Karst Conservation address- Joerg Dreybrodt es several of these goals. The most important ones are Life on Land, Clean Water, Climate Organization: Action, Partnerships and Quality Education. The Workgroup Sustainability, German Speleological Federation, talk will introduce into the SDGs, discuss how Germany the speleological community contributes and concludes with engagement possibilities. Section: Cave Protection Short bio of the presenter: Type: Speaker of the Workgroup Sustainability of the Oral Presentation German Speleological Federation, since 2017 active in promoting karst & cave conservation Abstract: within the Agenda 2030, participation at UN con- The seventeen Sustainability Development Goals ferences and within the NGO Major Group en- (SDGs) of the United Nations are a worldwide gagement mechanism.

Book about caves and karst Abstract: of Costa Rica Caves have a great potential for the development of research in various areas (geology, biology, Authors: archeology, hydrogeology еtc.), as well as for the Andrés Ulloa1, Stanimira Deleva2*, Benjamín conservation of particular flora and fauna, water Acevedo3, Andrea Hidalgo4, Alejandro Argüello5 & resources, and the cultural heritage. Although al- Carlos Goicoechea6 most 400 caves have been recognized in Costa Institutions: Rica, there is no scientific document that syn- 1: Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Geológicas, thesizes and details the information concerning Universidad de Costa Rica; [email protected] them. For this reason, we aim to prepare a book 2: Recinto de Golfito, Universidad de Costa Rica; stanimira. about the caves and karst of Costa Rica. The [email protected] book would compile, organize and catalog all 3: Centro de Investigaciones Antropológicas, Universidad de existing information, in order to create a base for Costa Rica; [email protected] future research that is available to the scientific 4: Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Universidad de community. The chapters of the book will ad- Costa Rica; [email protected] dress the fields of geology, exploration, biology, 5: Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Universidad de hydrogeology, and archeology. The book aims to Costa Rica; [email protected] encourage this line of emerging research in the 6: Grupo Espeleológico Anthros; San Jose, Costa Rica; [email protected] country and raise public awareness about the importance of caves. *presenter Section: Short bio of the presenter: Cave Protection Stanimira Deleva is a biologist, cave explorer, and conservationist, currently pursuing her doc- Type: Poster Presentation toral degree at the University of Costa Rica. 74 75 Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of Unknown Underground Cavities”

Tracing of the Groundwater rescence of uranine in dilute from active coal Flowing out of Kolkina dupka Cave, traps. In the trap from the Bov spring was recorded fluorescence of uranine die (Fig.1). This Zimevitsa, Bulgaria shows that the water from the rivers in Kolkina Authors: dupka cave, comes out of the Bov spring, and Yavor Shopov1,2,3, Ivan Antonov2, Valentin Lozanov2, for a time between 2 and 8 days it passes the Svetoslav Marinov4 and Pavlin Dimitrov4 distance of 3.8 km underground. This outlines the direction of development of the unexplored Section: parts of the cave. Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of Unknown Underground Cavities” This research was supported by BSF with DN14/4 grant from 2017 to Y. Shopov. Type: Short bio of the presenter: Oral Presentation Yavor Shopov is president of UIS commission on Physical Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst, Abstract: Leader of its International Programme on Re- We made groundwater tracing in Kolkina dupka mote Location of Caves and president of Bul- cave, Zimevitsa, by measuring of spectra of fluo- garian Federation of Speleology.

1Sofia University, Faculty of Physics, University center for Space Research and Technologies, [email protected] 2 Medical University of Sofia, ul. Zdrave 2, Sofia 3 Space Science Centre for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Durban University of Technology, P. O. Box 1334, Durban 4000 Republic of South Africa Symposia 4 Caving club “Pod Ruba” 76 77 Dye Tracing Below the Visibility of luminous dye in their potable water. We dem- The International Program on –– To optimize techniques on the surface and Threshold onstrated that measurements of spectra of fluo- “Techniques for Remote Location of to do calibration of it on mapped caves (fig.1). rescence of natural waters (fig.1) and of uranine –– To put observational instruments on aircrafts Caves” (RLC) of the International in dilutes from the activated charcoal detectors to locate caves from the sky. Authors: Union of Speleology (UIS) and Yavor Shopov1, 2,3*, Ivan Antonov1 ,Valentin Loz- allow detection of uranine in concentrations be- –– To put observational instruments on micros- Bulgarian project related to it anov1 low its visual detection threshold during dye trac- atellites. ing of underground waters. –– To propose to NASA to use this techniques Authors: 1 Faculty of Medicine, Medical University- Sofia, This research was supported by Ministry of edu- Yavor Shopov 1,2,3 for location of caves on Mars. Zdrave 2 Str., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria, yyshopov@ cation under National Program on Environment This research is supported by BSF with DN14/4 yahoo.com to Y. Shopov. Section: grant to Y. Shopov. Short bio of the presenter: Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of References: Type: Ivan Antonov Unknown Underground Cavities” Oral Presentation Shopov Y. (2013) Commission on Physical Major fields of scientific research: database Type: Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst Activity Abstract: creation, mapmaking and cartography products, Oral Presentation Report 2009-2013. UIS Bulletin Volume 56, N. A major problem of using of dyes for groundwa- project implementation in the field of earth ob- 1, pp.18-19. ter tracing is that it could be mixed with drinking servation. Abstract: The International Program on “Techniques for water, which can cause a psychological shock Major fields of research: lab. analyses of fluo- Short bio of the presenter: Remote Location of Caves” (RLC) of UIS aims to in the local population when seeing appearance rescence and optical spectroscopy. Yavor Shopov is president of UIS commission on locate new unknown caves and caves in hardly Physical Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst, accessible regions and will be extremely helpful of its International Programme on Remote Loca- to expand cave exploration in new regions and tion of Caves and president of Bulgarian Federa- even on other planets. It consists of the follow- tion of Speleology. ing stages:

2 Sofia University, Faculty of Physics, University center for Space Research and Technologies 3 Space Science Centre for Research and Postgraduate Stud- 1 Sofia University, Faculty of Physics, University center for ies, Durban University of Technology, P. O. Box 1334, Durban Space Research and Technologies, [email protected] 4000 Republic of South Africa 2 Medical University of Sofia, ul. Zdrave 2, Sofia Section: 3 Space Science Centre for Research and Postgraduate Stud- Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of Unknown ies, Durban University of Technology, P. O. Box 1334, Durban Underground Cavities” 4000 Republic of South Africa 78 79 Remote Location of Remote Location of Caves on Mars Caves by Thermal Cameras and the Moon - First Step to the Settlement on other Planets Authors: 1,2,3 1 Yavor Shopov , Ognian Ognianov Author(s): 1,2,3 Section: Yavor Shopov Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of Unknown Underground Cavities” Section: Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of Type: Unknown Underground Cavities” Oral Presentation Abstract: Type: We made extensive study of application of ther- Oral Presentation mal cameras for remote location of caves. In Abstract: addition to tens entrances of known caves we Mars and the Moon have very high cosmic ra- References: found also an entrance of a new unknown before diation on their surface. Therefore their manned Shopov Y. (2017) Using thermal vision cameras cave near Karlukovo by using of thermal camera exploration requires using of caves for immedi- for remote location of caves on Mars for immedi- (fig.1). It was made at very unfavorable condi- ate shelters of astronauts. So location of such ate shelters for astronauts and storage chambers tions. We first successfully used thermal imaging caves is of vital importance for future manned Journal of Aeronautics & Aerospace Engineering from UAVs for remote location of new unknown exploration and settlement there. We develop a (J Aeronaut Aerospace Eng) May 2017, Volume caves. In late May 2019 we found three new un- new technique for remote location of cave en- 6, Issue 2, 64 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2168- known caves from an UAV with a thermal camera trances using thermal vision technique (fig.1). 9792-C1-016 flying above Bosnek karst region, Bulgaria (fig.2). Cave entrances can be located by a thermal This research was supported by BSF with camera located on space probes or ROVs. We Short bio of the presenter: DN14/4 grant to Y. Shopov. successfully performed preliminary remote loca- Yavor Shopov is president of UIS commission on References: tions of cave entrances on Earth to optimize this Physical Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst, Shopov Y. (2013) Commission on Physical technique for work on Mars. Leader of its International Programme on Re- Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst Activity This research was supported by BSF with mote Location of Caves and president of Bul- Report 2009-2013. UIS Bulletin Volume 56, N. DN14/4 grant to Y. Shopov. garian Federation of Speleology. 1, pp.18-19. Shopov Y. (2017) Using thermal vision cameras for remote location of caves on Mars for immedi- ate shelters for astronauts and storage chambers Journal of Aeronautics & Aerospace Engineering (J Aeronaut Aerospace Eng) May 2017, Volume 6, Issue 2, 64 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2168- 9792-C1-016 Short bio of the presenter: Eng. Ognian Ognianov is CEO of O&K Ltd, specializing on aerial observations and remote sensing, including remote location of caves.

1 Sofia University, Faculty of Physics, University center for 1 Sofia University, Faculty of Physics, University center for Space Space Research and Technologies, [email protected]; Research and Technologies, [email protected]; 2 Medical University of Sofia, ul. Zdrave 2, Sofia, 2 Medical University of Sofia, ul. Zdrave 2, Sofia, 3 Space Science Centre for Research and Postgraduate Stud- 3 Space Science Centre for Research and Postgraduate Studies, ies, Durban University of Technology, P. O. Box 1334, Durban Durban University of Technology, P. O. Box 1334, Durban 4000 4000 Republic of South Africa Republic of South Africa 80 81 First Application of Near Infrared Imaging for Remote Location of Caves

Authors: Anton Filipov2 Other coauthors: Yavor Shopov1*, Ludmil Tsankov1 Organization: Sofia University, Faculty of Physics and Faculty of Geology and Geography Section: Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of Unknown Underground Cavities” Development of Technology for The technology will consist of the following stag- Type: es: Oral Presentation Remote Location of Unknown –– Remote localization with a thermal and vis- Underground Cavities and Deep- Abstract: ible cameras based on UAV; Seated Rockslides by Unmanned Air This work presents a first successful attempt for –– Data fusion and GIS integration and analysis; using near infrared (NIR) imaging for remote lo- Systems (UAS) –– Linking and localization of the registered en- cation of caves. In May 2019 we have found entrances on the map of the terrain. Authors: trance of a new unknown so far cave near Kar- Yavor Shopov1, Ognian Ognianov1, Ivan Ivanov2* lukovo by using a thermal camera. We recorded Short bio of the presenter: the same scenery in NIR and visible region. Lat- Section: Major fields of scientific research: database er calculations of the difference between visible Symposium on “Techniques for Remote Location of creation, mapmaking and cartography products, (Fig.1) and NIR (Fig.2) images demonstrated that Short bio of the presenter: Unknown Underground Cavities” project implementation in the field of earth ob- cave entrance and all smaller outlets of cave air Dr. Anton Filipov is Associate Professor and servation. are recorded on the obtained image. This dem- chair of the Department of Cartography and GIS Type: onstrates that NIR imaging can be used for re- of the Sofia University. He is chair of the Univer- Oral Presentation mote location of caves. This research was sup- sity Center for Aerial Surveilance at Faculty of ported by BSF with DN14/4 grant to Y. Shopov. Geology and Geography. Abstract: The aim of the work is to create new scientific knowledge by developing a new innovative technology for remote detection of unknown underground cavities and deep-seated rockslides using a thermal camera mounted on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

*Corresponding author: [[email protected]]

1Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, University Centre for 1Sofia University, Faculty of Physics, *University Center for Space Research and Technologies 2 Space Research and Technologies Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty of Geology and 2 Sofia University, Faculty of Geology and Geography Geography 82 83 Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Best Record of the Global Change IV“

On the Possibility to use of d13C. It is rather unusual and only way to 13C Speleothem Records for explain it is that all carbon in the speleothem was supplied from the bedrock above the cave Determination of Total Freezing of during the formation of the corresponding layer the Ground during Glaciations in the speleothem. Such situation can happen only during total freezing of the ground above Authors: the cave during glaciations. In such case both 1 , 2 3 The role of Heinrich 5 climatic water lead to important break down of the At- Yavor Shopov , Derek C. Ford lantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) organic and air carbon dioxide cannot reach the event on human migration: A high cave. and North Atlantic deep water (NADW) forma- Section: resolution speleothem record from This research was supported by Ministry of edu- tion. Besides, Heinrich 5 event (48 ka BP) has a Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Best Record southern Turkey cation under National Program on Environment special interest in paleoclimate community due of the Global Change IV” to Y. Shopov. Authors: to migration of anatomically modern humans Mehmet Oruç Baykara1, Chuan-Chou Shen2 and Horng- (AMH) westward to Europe via Eastern Medi- Type: Short bio of the presenter: Sheng Mii3 terranean by approximately 45,000 years ago. Oral Presentation Yavor Shopov is president of UIS commission on The paleoclimate studies and archaeological Physical Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst, Organization: evidence have shown that AMH used the Le- Izmir Cave Research Association, Izmir, Turkey and Abstract: of its International Programme on Remote Loca- vant Region and the southern Turkey coastline Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey as migration route. The Eastern Mediterranean In a d13C Speleothem Record from Duhlata tion of Caves and president of Bulgarian Federa- Region – southern Turkey has a particular im- cave, Bulgaria (Fig.1) we found a positive value tion of Speleology. Section: Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Best Record portance because it served as a gateway to Eu- of the Global Change IV” rope during this exodus. We have presented an absolute dated section between ~39-50 ka BP Type: of the Dim 1 Stalagmite sample that has been Oral Presentation sampled from Dim Cave (Southern Turkey) that Abstract: gives valuable information from the last glacial. The Holocene period climate oscillations and Short bio of the presenter: their effect on ancient cultures have been rela- Department of Geopraphy, Geological Engineering, tively well studied in the Eastern Mediterranean Pamukkale University Region. However, there is lesser information Kınıklı Campus, 20017, Denizli, TURKEY about the impacts of climate change on the Phone: +902582967412 human population during the last glacial. The E-mail: [email protected] most extreme global climate events during the Education last glacial period are represented by Heinrich 03/2014, Ph.D., Ins. of Science, Dept. Geology En- events. In order to understand the effects of the gineering, Pamukkale University, Turkey. rapid climate changes on human migrations, it Current position 08/2018-now Asisstant Prof., Department of Geog- is important to define the temporal and spatial raphy, Pamukkale University variability of the Heinrich events. Heinrich events Fields of specialty are several cold periods, named after paleocli- Paleoclimate changes; stable isotopes; karst hydrol- matologist Hartmut Heinrich, caused by the large ogy; speleology inputs of fresh water into the North Atlantic from Major awards and honors melting glaciers. These large amount of fresh 2014, HISPEC LAB- National Taiwan UniversityPost- doc grant Scientific and Technological Research 1Pamukkale University, Department of Geological Engineering, TR-20070 Denizli, Turkey [email protected] Council of Turkey 2High-precision Mass Spectrometry and Environment Change 2011, IAS travel grant 1 Sofia University, Faculty of Physics, University center for Space Research and Technologies, [email protected]; Laboratory (HISPEC), Department of Geosciences, National 2009, Erasmus Scholarship 2 Space Science Centre for Research and Postgraduate Studies, Durban University of Technology, P. O. Box 1334, Durban 4000 Taiwan University, Taipei 10617, Taiwan 2009, Marie-Curie Grant 3 Republic of South Africa Department of Earth Sciences, National Taiwan Normal Uni- 2008, Best poster award, Turkish Geology Assembly 3 McMaster University, School of Geology and Geography, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada versity, Taipei, Taiwan 84 85 Overview of environmental Age Determination of Speleothems research in Croatian karst and its from Mishin Kamik Cave, NW Bulgaria implications for paleoenvironmental reconstructions Authors: Konstantin Kostov¹, Silviu Constantin², Marlena Yaneva¹, Oana T. Moldovan², Alexandru Petculescu², Ionut Mirea², Author: Stanislav Frančišković-Bilinski (1), Ralitsa Konyovska³ Other coauthors: Dalibor Paar 2, Nenad Buzjak 3 and Section: Ana Kamenski 4 Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Best Record of the Global Change IV” Organization: “Ruđer Bošković” Institute, Division for marine and Type: Poster Presentation environmental research, Zagreb, Croatia. Sampling of cave sediments in SlovaДЌka jama (Northern Velebit Mt.) The entrance of Mishin Kamik Cave Section: Abstract: Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Best Record Mishin Kamik Cave is located in the Western of the Global Change IV” part of Stara Planina (Balkan) Mts, NW Bulgaria. Type: This 695 m long maze cave is entirely phreatic, Oral Presentation which makes the cave a geomorphological phenomenon for the country. A characteristic fea- Abstract: ture of Mishin Kamik Cave is the presence of Caves are valuable archives of past environmen- buried speleothems, such as small stalagmites tal conditions due to their large geographic ex- and flowstone, which implies multiphase speleo- tent and extensive time scales. We present an genesis. The performed U/Th dating of different overview of our environmental research in Dinar- speleothem samples proves that the deposits ic karst of Croatia, with geochemical, mineralogi- are of Late Pleistocene age. cal and magnetic research of speleothems and Acknowledgement: This study is part of the joint deep cave sediments. Element anomalies with research project between Bulgarian and Roma- Phreatic shape of the cave passages in Mishin Kamik Cave elevated values in deep pits were detected and nian Academies of Sciences “Paleoclimate re- magnetic susceptibility results were compared construction using cave deposits from Romania with mineral composition. and Bulgaria” (2018-2020). References: 1. Frančišković-Bilinski, S. (2008). Mineralogical Short bio of the presenter: Magazine 72, 1, 43-48. Dr. Kostov is working on tectonics in caves, spe- 2. Kamenski, A. (2018). Diploma thesis, Faculty leoseismology and karst geomorphology. Dr. of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering, Constantin is head of Geospeleology and Pale- University of Zagreb. ontology Department of the Institute of Speleol- 3. Paar, D. et al. (2016). Journal of geochemical ogy in Bucharest. exploration, 167, 20-37. Entrance of Lukina jama, deepest cave of Dinaric karst (-1431 m) Short bio of the presenter: 1 Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division for marine and environmen- Stanislav Frančišković-Bilinski tal research, Zagreb, Croatia, [email protected] 2 University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Author or coauthor of 41 WOSCC scientific Physics, Zagreb, Croatia papers on geochemistry and mineralogy of ¹Geological Institute of Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. 3 University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of sediments; karst research; environmental mag- G. Bonchev St., 24, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria Geography, Zagreb, Croatia ²“Emil Racovita” Institute of Speleology, Romanian Academy of 4 University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petro- netism; assessment of sediment quality; hydro- Sciences, Frumoasă Str., 31, 010986 Bucharest, Romania leum Engineering, Zagreb, Croatia geochemistry; geostatistics ³National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria 86 87 Solar activity effects on cave Main physical processes and temperature regimes during phenomena causing periodic changes five solar cycles (1968 - 2018) in the cave microclimate Authors: Authors: Penka Stoeva, Alexey Stoev – Space Research and Alexey Stoev, Penka Stoeva - Space Research and Technology Institute, BAS, Stara Zagora Department Technology Institute, BAS, Stara Zagora Department Section: Section: Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Best Record Symposium “Cave Climate and Paleoclimate – Best Record of the Global Change IV” of the Global Change IV” Type: Type: Saeva Dupka Cave Poster Presentation Poster Presentation Saeva Dupka Cave. Abstract: Abstract: Today, thanks to the efforts of generations of spe- The problems associated with the influence of solar Today, thanks to the efforts of generations of speleologists and researchers, a large amount of in- activity on the state of the Earth’s low atmosphere leologists and researchers, a large amount of information has been accumulated about the cave’s and climate are some of the most important in mod- formation has been accumulated about the cave’s microclimate (temperature, humidity, atmospheric ern solar-terrestrial physics. On the other hand, it has microclimate (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, CO2 content, radon, etc.). It was clari- an impact on the microclimate of the caves in the pressure, CO2 content, radon, etc.). It was clari- zone of constant temperature through various physi- fied that the Karst caves’ climate is significantly fied that the Karst caves’ climate is significantly cal mechanisms. influenced by: the regional geological and mor- Variations in solar activity are accompanied by influenced by: the regional geological and morphological characteristics of the adjacent Karst changes in the flux of solar radiation, disturbances in phological characteristics of the adjacent Karst massif, altitude, orientation and slope of its sur- the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, the massif, altitude, orientation and slope of its surface, annual distribution of total solar radiation, dynamics of the fluxes of solar and galactic cosmic face, annual distribution of total solar radiation, prevailing atmospheric fronts crossing its territory. rays and are especially clear expressed in the scale prevailing atmospheric fronts crossing its territory. Also, mechanisms for the influence of solar activ- of the 11 year solar cycle. This applies in particular Also, mechanisms for the influence of solar activity on the climatic characteristics of the cave at- to the energy transfer and exchange in the Earth’s at- ity on the climatic characteristics of the cave atmosphere and the relationship of air volume in the mosphere and the influence on various atmospheric mosphere and the relationship of air volume in the Karst massif and the ground layer of air have been processes. Usually, several factors simultaneously af- Karst massif and the ground layer of air have been investigated for more than half a century. fect the atmosphere and this makes it difficult to study investigated for more than half a century. In highly mountainous terrain, the altitude and the the physical mechanisms that shape the atmospheric In highly mountainous terrain, the altitude and the response. This overlay of energy impacts also affects morphological features of the caves have a signifi- the thermodynamic processes of heat and moisture morphological features of the caves have a significant impact on the intensity of the air circulation transfer in Karst massifs and caves. In addition, due cant impact on the intensity of the air circulation and the thermal regime of the underground atmos- to the presence of thermal flux from the lithosphere and the thermal regime of the underground atmosphere. In a lot of the cases, other climatic factors and the thermal inertness of the volume and mass of phere. In a lot of the cases, other climatic factors also play an important role - the total atmospheric the Karst itself, some filtration of the direct physical also play an important role - the total atmospheric circulation, the number of cave entrances and their factors of impact is obtained. circulation, the number of cave entrances and their orientation in space, and the low-temperature wa- The response of the earth’s atmosphere (atmospher- orientation in space, and the low-temperature water flows passing through the caves. The shape ic pressure, temperature, cloudiness, etc.) and the ter flows passing through the caves. The shape and structure of the caves enhance or weaken the cal indices for the period 1968 – 2018 for four caves impact on the cave atmosphere of solar activity may and structure of the caves enhance or weaken the influence of the physico-geographical, climatic and differ significantly depending on the specific Karst on the territory of Bulgaria. Correlation between at- influence of the physico-geographical, climatic and hydrological factors in the formation of microcli- region and geographical location. The correlation mospheric rainfall in the region and thermodynamic hydrological factors in the formation of microcli- matic regimes of the underground air. between atmospheric characteristics and solar geo- changes in the atmosphere of the caves is investi- physical factors prove to be unstable over time – they gated. A relationship between the cave microclimate matic regimes of the underground air. The report discusses the mechanisms of energy may intensify, change the sign, or cease altogether. and the temperature and barometric pressure of the The report discusses the mechanisms of energy and mass exchange in the cave atmosphere, the This report presents a study of the correlation be- ground atmosphere is also found. This is probably and mass exchange in the cave atmosphere, the influence of the external climate, the cycle of tween thermodynamic characteristics of the cave due to the influence of the pressure of major atmos- influence of the external climate, the cycle of solar activity and galactic cosmic rays on cave atmosphere (temperature, humidity) and heliophysi- pheric fronts on the Balkan Peninsula. solar activity and galactic cosmic rays on cave microclimate. 88 89 2nd EuroSpeleo Show Cave Symposium Show caves in Bulgaria as objects for study trips and expeditions of They are managed by the Cave Administration of Show caves of the Czech Republic – students in tourist specialties what visitors do not see the Czech Republic that was established by Min- istry of Environment. The purpose of its estab- Authors: Authors: lishment was not only to ensure caves´ manage- Alexey Stoev1, Todor Todorov2, Mina Spasova3, Penka Olga Suldovska ment, but also their monitoring and conservation. Stoeva1 Section: Organization: Regular activities include monitoring of cave mi- 2nd EuroSpeleo Show Cave Symposium Cave Adminisstration of the Czech Republic croclimate and survey of bats. Exploration and mapping continues in some caves. Archaeologi- Type: Section: cal, paleontological,mineralogical and other re- Poster Presentation nd 2 EuroSpeleo Show Cave Symposium searches are also done in some caves. Abstract: Type: Short bio of the presenter: The report analyzes many years of experience Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation Olga Suldovska has been working in the in the design and implementation of excursion CaveAdministration of the Czech Republic since routes in show caves in Bulgaria. They have Abstract: 2015 as an archivist and GIS (Geographic Infor- been developed and tested as project work by There are 14 show caves in the Czech Republic. mation Systems) administrator. students in the specialty “tourism” in several universities in our country. The use of interactive technologies, special technical means for demonstrations in the underground darkness and Saeva Dupka Cave auxiliary materials during the excursion (expedition) is shown in the student developments. The report demonstrates theoretical and meth- odological foundations of developing a new This educational technology is first and fore- excursion (study expedition), including the most related to the organization of the educa- development of a technological map of the tional process as a continuous system of active speleo-excursion. Such an excursion presents practices “immersed” in the professional envi- the Karst terrain, the cave itself, the richness of ronment. On the other hand, there is a need to the secondary calcite decoration, the physico- educate students through “project technology” chemical processes that formed the cave and Maping of flooded corridor in Chýnov Cave. Restoration work in Na Špičáku Cave. Photo: P. Zajíček and “formation” of the tourism product from the speleothems. To this narrative must be added Photo: M. Dvořáček first year of study. Such a form of training is the history of the cave’s discovery and improve- based on the organic unity of the links between ment, as well as archaeological and historical different subjects, knowledge and competences records of its use over time. It is shown that acquired in the course of studying. Getting addi- in the course of the excursion process, the tional knowledge about Karst and caves in vari- student shows the Karst terrain, the cave and ous disciplines such as “Homeland” and “Guid- the artifacts with maximum details (first task), ing” allows the teacher to assign students the presents the necessary information about the task of developing an excursion route to the area already demonstrated parts of the cave (sec- of a show cave and to use the results as control ond task) and introduces the importance of the assessments. show cave for the specific area and the country

1Space Research and Technology Institute, BAS, Stara Zagora De- as a whole (third task). In addition, the student partment, P.O.Box 73, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, stoev52@abv. develops practical habits for independent ob- bg, [email protected] servation and analysis of the physical and so- 2Technical college, Smolyan, Plovdiv University “Paisij Hilendarsky” 3Institute for the Study of Societies and Knowledge, BAS, Sofia, cial environment of the caves he visits (fourth [email protected] task). 90 91 Symbols, myths, and images of the their geological history, the present and their use underworld in the arrangement and by man throughout the historical eras, the sys- Dyavolsko Garlo Cave tem of ideas and beliefs associated with them operation of show caves The report also presents the experience of col- always come to the forefront. lective project work of first-year students for the Authors: The aim of this work is to study the background creation of a tourist product - a trip to the Karst Mina Spasova1, Vasil Markov2, Alexey Stoev3, Todor of human notions that have been concretized in region of Trigrad - Nastan and a visit to the Ya- Todorov4, Penka Stoeva3 the image of the underworld through the analy- godinska cave. Developing the route, students sis of various symbols, myths and images asso- work out a comprehensive narrative about the Section: ciated with caves. The persistence of this back- surface Karst in the area and the basic mor- 2nd EuroSpeleo Show Cave Symposium ground is the main reason for the vitality of the phometric characteristics of the cave and its ideas about the cave world and the image of the calcite decoration. Also, during the project, they Type: characters associated with it, especially in the Poster Presentation were acquainted with the history of study of the Bulgarian cultural tradition. Yagodina Cave in the second half of the twenti- Abstract: eth century and archaeological data on the use The report shows the possibility to use the sys- Man has always needed to comprehend his es- of part of the cave in the Prehistory. During the Yagodinska Cave tem of images related to the underworld of caves, sence and the surrounding natural and social preparation the possibilities for including addi- in the development of show caves and guided environment, to explain the existing social, natu- tional detailed acquaintance of the visitors with programs for them. The mechanism of the con- ral and cosmic order. When it comes to caves, other objects of cultural and historical heritage nection of one mythology to the cave world with in the region were analyzed. In the final part of 1Institute for the Study of Societies and Knowledge, BAS, Sofia, a system of images and action motives (without the preparation of the excursion, the result of [email protected] verbal narration) and another, where the images 2South West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad synthesis of basic tasks solved in the process of 3Space Research and Technology Institute, BAS, Stara Zagora De- and motifs come in various narrative combina- designing the tourism product and its realization partment, P.O.Box 73, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, stoev52@abv. tions, is analyzed. Particularly characteristic is were shown to students. bg, [email protected] the example of the figure of ancient Orpheus, 4Technical college, Smolyan, Plovdiv University “Paisij Hilendarsky” 92 93 for whom there are several basic motifs associated with his image. But for most people, the notion of it is related to Orpheus’ descent into the underworld, and this is the core of modern myth of Orpheus.

Another typical example is related to the image of the cave as a refuge and shelter. In addition, the cave symbolizes the womb, associates with the birth, rebirth and center of the universe, as represented by the Great Mother – Goddess. On the other hand, in polytheistic religions, the suc- cessor of which is Christianity today, the cave is often associated with an important mythological being from the underworld – the dragon. Like the “cosmic tree”, it connects the three worlds and divides the universe vertically. Living in a cave, the dragon often acts as a cosmic media- tor that connects the underworld, terrestrial, and celestial worlds and functionally approaches the “cosmic tree”. Dark interpretations, on the other hand, often connect the cave to the Underworld, to the gates of Hell, and to the subconscious and mysterious in man. In conclusion, the report shows that knowledge of the components of the underground environment, expressed in symbols, myths and images, is crucial for their rational use in management, practical protection and exploitation of show caves.

PROGRAM 26-29 September 2019 94

Vitosha Hall Vitosha

: : th : 6

: Hall

Mapping and

EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium "Underground Biotope and Geotope; Best of Protection"Practice Clean Clean TheUp Dark – а Proposal forа European Network Cave for Cleaning and Protection Strandzha Chairperson: Jean-Claude Thies Ferdinando Didonna Matea and Talaja Valerija Butorac : valuingkarst underground geodiversity in cave Lokvarka, Croatia FrancMalečkar Introduction of schoolchildren to field work on andkarst caves Jean-Claude Thies Cave Protection

: : role The Age

: On the Possibility

ymposium “CaveClimate and poster presentation) S Paleoclimate– Best Record the of Global Change IV“ Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi Chairpersons: Dr. Shopov, Y. Dr. A. Stoev Yavor Shopoval.: & to use 13C Speleothem Records for Determination of TotalFreezing of the Ground during Glaciations Mehmet Oruç Baykaraal. & Heinrichof 5 climatic event on human migration: A high resolution speleothem record from southern Turkey StanislavFrančišković-Bilinski al. & Annotation of posterpresentations Konstantin Kostov& al. Determination of Speleothems from Mishin Kamik Cave, NW Bulgaria ( Overviewof environmental research in Croatian andkarst itsimplications for paleoenvironmental reconstructions : History of : The The

26 (Thursday) September OpeningCeremony Presentations“90 years of organized speleology in Bulgaria and years cave 45 of rescue in Bulgaria” Hall Balkan Gyula Hegedus: UIS Cave Rescue Commission Cave Exploration & Expeditions Chairperson: Antoniya Vlaykova Dr. Petar Beron Bulgariansin Gouffre Berger – 1969 Boaz Langford & al. Discoveries of new salt caves at Sedom salt diapir, Dead-Sea,Israel Negev:Yoav expedition to resurvey the longest salt cave in the world, Malham cave, Mt - Israel Sedom Balkan Hall Break Lunch Free Time

Time 10:00-11:30 11:30-12:30 12:30-13:30 13:30-14:00 14:00-14:30 14:30-16:00

Other 2nd EuroSpeleo Show Cave Symposium Chairperson: Dr. StoevA. A visit to the dupka Saeva Cave thefor participants in the symposium Vitosha Hall Vitosha Vitosha Hall Vitosha

Book

& al. & Karst andKarst Vitosha Hall Vitosha

Hall Hall

: : : Study

poster presentation ) : Biospeology Strandzha Hall about and caves karst of Costa Rica ( Strandzha Annotation of poster presentation Stanimira Deleva 17:00-19:00 meetingECPC Joerg Dreybrodt: Cave Conservation within the Sustainability Goals of the United Nations

Strandzha Cave Biology& Biospeleology Chairperson: Stanimira Deleva Stanimira Deleva the of nutrient contribution ofbat cave tocolonies surface ecosystems Heliana Dundarova Underground Habitatsas a Unit forConservation of Vulnerable Bat Communities in South- Western Kyrgyzstan Josiane Lips in Kyrgyzstan IvanovAngel & al. Intelligent Virtual Personal Assistant for Bat Scientists

: : Main physical

ymposium

Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi S “Techniques for Remote Location of Unknown UndergroundCavities” Chairpersons: Dr. A. Benderev Yavor Shopoval. & Tracing of the Groundwater Flowing out of Kolkina dupka Zimevitsa,Cave, Bulgaria Ivan Antonov& al. Dye Tracing Below the VisibilityThreshold poster presentation) poster presentation ) Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi Meeting of theUIS Physical Chemistry and Hydrogeology of Karst Commission Chairperson: Dr. ShopovY. Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi Penka Stoevaal. & : Solar activity effects on temperature cave regimes during five cyclessolar (1968 - 2018) ( AlexeyStoev al. & processes and phenomenacausing periodic in changes the cave microclimate (

: The : The : Baishan

Explorations

Balkan Hall Balkan Dinner Balkan Hall EuroSpeleo Image’In Film Festival Speleo bar & Party Balkan Hall Balkan Cave Exploration & Expeditions Chairpersons: Antoniya Vlaykova, Angel Ivanov Marko Rakovac: Speleological explorations in Croatia (2009-2019) Marina Grandić: Speleological explorations Croatianof Northern karstVelebit Michael Laumanns: International expeditions and2017 to the2019 daSerra Bodoquena, SW Brazil Petr Barák: the of Balkan - Caves CavingDevon club Break Break 27 (Friday) September Hall Balkan Cave Exploration & Expeditions Chairperson: Mladen Garasic Liviu Vălenaş: Speleological research in 2015-2019Laos, Michael Laumanns longest lava tube of caves Southeast Asia Tan Phu- and Krong No Volcanicin southern Vietnam Liviu Vălenaş Speleological research in Thailand, 2006-2019 Michael Laumanns 2018/19 Reconnaissance - expedition to Jilin and Heilongjiangprovinces, NE Chin

19:00-20:00 20:00-21:00 After 20:00 Time 8:00-9:00 9:00-9:30 9:30-11:30 Breakfast Free Time 11:30-12:00 16:00-16:30 16:30-19:00

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Other

Speleo Olympics

Other

Vitosha Hall Vitosha

Vitosha Hall Vitosha FSE BureauFSE Meeting

: Hall Hall

: Microbial life in poster presentation ) poster presentation) Cave Biology& Biospeleology Strandzha Chairperson: Hannes Köble Hannes Köble Caio César Pires de Paula al. & Brazilian reportingcaves: the structure of bacterial communities Annotation of poster presentations Nataša Nikolić al. & Humidophila brekkaensoides (Bock) Lowe, Kociolek, J.R.Johansen, Van de Vijver, Lange-Bertalot & Kopalova: Aerophytic diatom the from caves of Serbia ( Slađana Popović & al. Samar Cave: seasonal analysis phototrophic of microorganisms, andecological biofilm Biospeleology in Germany Methodsto increase public and specialist interest

Strandzha parameters (

Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi Cave Geology, Geomorphologyand Geographyof Karst Chairpersons: Dr. K. Kostov, Dr. A. Benderev : : First : : The : The & al. & : Remote

“Techniques for

“Techniques for & al. &

ymposium ymposium Remote Location of Unknown Underground Cavities” Chairperson: Dr. Filipov A. Yavor Shopov International Program on "Techniques Remote for Location of Cave (RLC)of the International Union of Speleology (UIS)and Bulgarian projectrelated to it Ognian Ognianoval. & Remote Location of Caves by Thermal Cameras S Balkan Hall Balkan Remote Location of Unknown Underground Cavities” Chairperson: Dr. ShopovY. Lunch S Balkan Hall Balkan Yavor Shopov Location on of Caves Mars and the Moon First to Step - the Settlement on other Planets Anton Filipov Application of Infrared Near Imaging for Remote Location Cavesof Ivan Ivanov Cave Exploration & Expeditions Chairperson: YavorShopov BakalovPavel and Konstantin Stoichkov : Development of Technology Remotefor Location of Unknown Underground andCavities Deep-Seated Rockslides by UnmannedAir (UAS)Systems

12:00-13:00 13:00-14:00 14:00-14:30 14:30-16:00 FreeTime 16:00-16:30 16:30-18:30 Break

100 101

Other

Vitosha Hall Vitosha

Hall

Strandzha Strandzha

: : Show : Show caves

: Caves and Speleo barParty & poster presentation )

General Assembly of European Speleological Federation EuroSpeleo Show Cave Symposium Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi Chairpersons: Dr. Stoev, A. Olga Suldovska Olga Suldovska the of Czech Republic – what visitors donot see AlexeyStoev al. & caves in Bulgaria as objects studyfor trips and expeditions of students in tourist specialties Rhodopi Hall Rhodopi Jelena Ćalić karst of the Djerdap aspiring Geopark – research and management challenges KonsolakiAliki Morphological analysis 3D subsurfaceof structures thewith use aof handheld laser scanningsystem. The case studyof Koutouki Peania,Cave, Greece Annotation of poster presentation Maurizio Tavagnutti Tides Adriatic of Sea in the caves of Classical Karst: case ofThe Pozzo dei protei di Monfalcone (Italy) ( Tzvetan Ostromsky : Wonders and remarks Bulgarianof cavesand karst

: Morca 2019 : Bulgarians in

Bulgarian National SpeleologyForum Lunch Bulgarian National SpeleologyForum 28 (Saturday) September Hall Balkan Chairperson: Dr. BenderevA. Opening Ceremony Presentations“90 years of organized speleology in Bulgaria and 45 years of cave inrescue Bulgaria” (in Bulgarian) Anna Pencheva Gouffre Berger – 1969 (in Bulgarian) Awarding Chairpersons: Dr. Shopov, Y. BenderevDr. A. Presentationsand Discussions (in Bulgarian) Free Time Dinner Balkan Hall Balkan Hall Balkan Exploration in of the caves Banski suhodol circus in North Pirin, SC Helictit Sofia- and AkademicSCC Sofia– Konstantin Stoichkov : Exploration in of the caves the of region the village of Karlukovo by the caversof the caving club Helictit Sofia– Tzvetan Ostromsky & al. Recent speleological explorations in VratsaNW Mountain Teodor Kisimov: PresentationsPoster on glass wine of – a– short summary of the expedition

Time 8:00-9:00 9:00-13:00 9:30-13:00 Breakfast 13:00-14:00 14:00-16:00 18:30-19:00 19:00-20:00 20:00-21:00

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Speleo Olympics

Conservation Workshop

BULGARIAN TOURIST UNION Bulgarian tourist union (BTU) is the largest non-governmental organization in Bulgaria with over 120

years of history and rich traditions in the field of tourism and sports. The Union is a non-profit voluntary association for social recreation, sports and tourism, cultural and environmental activities. Through its member associations BTU creates the conditions for active recreation, promotes mountaineering, orientation, speleology, environmental protection. The Union includes 154 tourist associations, 2 federations: the Federation of Orienteering and the Fed- eration of Tourist Veterans, and 2 associations: the Association of Speleology and the Association of Tourist

: Cave Choirs. BTU manages independently or through its member associations tourist sites: huts, shelters, tourist : Karstand : Karst and: Karst bedrooms, training centers, hotels. They are located in the most beautiful parts of Bulgaria. The main task of the Union is to motivate people to spend more and more time in nature, to practice various sports and tourist activities, to get to know Bulgaria and to love it. That`s why BTU participates in many initiatives and celebrations dedicated to historical events and heroes mainly involving young people: climbing Shipka peak in honor of the National holiday of Bulgaria on 3rd of March , National walking hike

poster presentation ) poster presentation) called “In the footsteps of Vasil Levski”, dedicated to the life of the great Bulgarian patriot and a fighter for ( Penka Stoevaal. & : Symbols, myths, andof images the underworld inthe arrangement and operation of show caves ( Cave Exploration & Expeditions Chairperson: Toma Solarov Aleksandar Stoev project,Survey surveying caves with commonhardware Rosario Ruggieri Speleology in Souththe ofCaucasus Armenia Joerg Dreybrodt Cave Conservation in Myanmar our national independence; National walking hike called “Kozloduy-Okolchitsa” in the honor of prominent Bulgarian poet-revolutionary and fighter against the Ottoman yoke Hristo Botev; National Winter Survival Competition for children , National Competition for tourist skills of children for the Crystal Edelweiss Prize at the Koprinka Dam, National hike named „No to Drugs“,etc. Every year the holiday of the Union is celebrated at Cherni Vrah peak of Vitosha Mountain near Sofia on the last Sunday of August, where many fans of the mountain and hiking are gathering. BTU is also responsible for the marking of hiking trails in the mountains. About 35,000 km are marked.

Three European routes pass through Bulgaria with a total length of 1600 km : E-3(Bulgarian part Kom-Emine ); E-4 (Bulgarian part Vitosha Mountain, Verila Mountain, Rila Mountain, Pirin Mountain and Slavyanka Mountain ) and E-8 (Bulgarian part Rhodopes Mountain ). The marking signs along these routes are one of the major tasks of BTU. One of the most prestigious initiatives of BTU is the National Movement called “100 Tourist Sites-Get to Break Bulgarian National SpeleologyForum Break Balkan Hall Official Dinner Speleo bar & Party Presentationsand Discussions (in Bulgarian) Closing Ceremony + Prizes Know Bulgaria”. It was created in 1966 and so far more than 6 million people have participated in it. Its essence is to get acquainted with the rich history and beautiful nature of Bulgaria by collecting stamps from famous natural landmarks, museums, historical sites. For those who have collected 100 stamps, a lottery is organized

every year. Another popular event is the movement called “10 mountain peaks”. Its purpose is to climb the 10

highest peaks in the mountains of Bulgaria, from where participants also collect stamps and finally participate in a lottery, which is organized at Vitosha Cherni vrah peak on the last Sunday of August every year. BTU issues the Echo newspaper once a month. With all its patriotic activity BTU shows for many generations the beauty of the Bulgarian nature and 16:00-16:30 16:30-18:30 18:30-19:00 19:00-20:00 20:00-21:00 21After mountains. 104