(Gunn, J. & D. Lowe (eds))
Editorial on the apparent and
deplorable decline in amateur cave scientists, with a comment that all the
presentations at the BCRA Cave Science Symposium 1999 were from academic cave
scientists; on increasing pollution of cave environments; and the death of
Bryan Ellis.
Vol 26 (1) pp 3 - 4
(Osborne, R.A.)
The Inception Horizon Hypothesis in vertical to
steeply-dipping limestone: applications in New South Wales, Australia
Vol
26 (1) pp 5 - 12
Abstract: The Inception Horizon Hypothesis has generally
been applied to explain cave morphology in horizontal or gently-dipping
limestones. When applied to vertical or steeply-dipping limestones, the
Inception Horizon Hypothesis offers explanations for many characteristic
features of the small impounded karsts found in the Eastern Highlands of New
South Wales, Australia. In vertical or steeply-dipping limestones a limited
number of pathways through the limestone are available, resulting in the
development of multilevel passages and an increased likelihood of modern caves
intersecting and/or exhuming palaeokarstic features. The few hydrological
pathways through the limestone are easily blocked by sediment, abundant in
small, impounded karsts, resulting in flow switching with surface streams and
the consequent development of lateral dry valleys. Partial sediment blockage
will result in paragenetic enlargement of passages, allowing relatively small
streams to produce large, out-of-scale conduits with a "keyhole" cross-section,
and paragenetic loops that can be misinterpreted as phreatic loops.
(Shaw, T.R.)
E.A. Martel and the British Isles
Vol 26 (1) pp 13 -
28
Abstract: Two of E.A. Martel's seven visits to the British Isles are
described - a four-week excursion in 1895 to Ireland, Derbyshire and Yorkshire,
and one of three days to the Mendip Hills in 1904. Besides new explorations,
including the first descent of the 100m-deep wet shaft of Gaping Gill, he
mapped other caves and studied several inaccessible underground rivers. The
main descriptive publications in both languages are reviewed. Martel's ways of
encouraging and helping British cave work are discussed, and also the English
and Irish membership of the Société de Spéléologie.
Wherever possible new information is given about these Franco-British links,
with some new illustrations.
(Craven, S.A.)
Speleothem deterioration at Cango Cave, South
Africa
Vol 26 (1) pp 29 - 34
Abstract: Cango is a leading South African
show cave that has deteriorated markedly, especially during the second half of
the Twentieth century. Little pure and applied research has been carried out at
the cave. The historical record, which goes back two centuries, documents the
decline of the bat population, the deterioration of the speleothems especially
in the proximal part of the cave, and the exponential rise in the numbers of
visitors. Contemporary observation in Cango I and II reveals that many of the
speleothems are covered by phosphate material, and that they are better
preserved more distally in the cave. Despite this trend, there are few isolated
active speleothems near the entrance. This evidence supports the hypothesis
that the spectacular speleothems were successively formed in the conventional
way, corroded by bat guano, and then covered by new calcite. This recent
calcite was eventually dissolved when increasing numbers of visitors were
responsible for the development of unfavourable climatic conditions.
(Canik, B., M. Çelik, S. Pasvanoglu & E.A. Novinpour)
Formation
and features of Ballica Cave, Pazar, Tokat, Turkey
Vol 26 (1) pp 35 -
40
Abstract: Ballica Cave is formed in crystalline limestones. Considering
the limited limestone outcrop, the volume of the cave is extremely large. The
limestone is unbedded, faulted and fractured, and cracks are filled with
calcite. The limestone is composed of 96% CaCO3. Karstic structures in the
limestone include karst pits, swallow holes, dissolution funnels and clints,
developed on discontinuity planes. The fractured structure and chemical
composition of the limestone are the main factors controlling karstification
and the formation of stalactites, stalagmites and the columns in the cave. The
cave comprises two main galleries trending NE-SW (1) and NW-SE (2), and has
associated rooms and saloons. The First Gallery has an undulating floor,
whereas the floor of the second comprises gradually declining levels, related
to a series of normal faults. Fallen blocks on the floor of the cave might have
broken off as a result of regional earthquakes. Stalactites, stalagmites,
columns, flowstones, draperies, macaroni-shaped stalactites, dripstones, pools
and cave pearls are present in the First Gallery. All of these speleothem
types, and a variety of other stalactite shapes including a 6.5m-long
stalactite (with no corresponding stalagmite) are also seen in the Second
Gallery. There is evidence that karstic, tectonic and earthquake episodes have
all affected the cave's development. The most significant pieces of evidence
are: (a) the presence of surface travertines that are believed to be sourced
from seepage waters in the cave; (b) the opening of the cave entrance along the
fault; (c) fallen blocks in the cave; (d) signs of horizontal fractures in
thick columns; (e) secondary mineral occurrences indicating that for a long
time groundwater remained at the Çöküntü Saloon level,
along a horizontal line visible in the wall; and (f) long stalagmite-free
stalactites in the lower part of the Yeni Saloon. Ballica Cave most probably
began to form 3.4 million years ago and its development has continued until
recent times, dependent upon regional climatic conditions.
(Wilcock, J.D. (ed.))
Abstracts of the 1999 BCRA Cave Science
Symposium, Nottingham Trent University, 6th March 1999
Vol 26 (1) pp 41 -
44
(Freedman, K.)
Quaternary bones from Jubilee Cave, Settle, North
Yorkshire and Lesser Kelcoe Cave, Giggleswick, North Yorkshire
Vol 26 (1) p
45
(Knight, L. & P. Wood)
Re Cave Ecology
Vol 26 (1) p
45
(Waltham, A.C.)
Xiaoping, C. & 15 others, 1998
1. Karst
studies of Yunnan
2. Karst studies in Western Guizhou
Published by
Zalozba ZRC, Ljubljana
Vol 26 (1) p 46
(Lowe, D.J.)
Sebela,
S.
Tectonic structure of Postojnska jama cave system
Vol 26 (1) pp 46 -
47