[CML #16730] Fwd: NCKRI cave and karst news and announcements

Dear Friends,

NCKRI and our colleagues have several important news items for you this week:

· Call for Abstracts: Geological Society of America

· Exploration Award Available—Cavers Can Apply!

· Conference Announcement: To Know and Share Caves and Karsts: Understanding, Conservation, and Geotourism

· International Congress of Speleology News

· Vacancy for PhD position in Experimental Karst Hydrology

· Post-doctoral research position at the Institute of Geochemistry, CAS: Study on the karst-related carbon-water cycle and the global change

· USGS Karst Interest Group Workshop: Proceedings

· Call for Hypogene Karst Papers

· National Caves Association declares June 6 National Day of Caves and Karst

· List of Upcoming Cave and Karst Meetings

As always, feel free to share this information with anyone who may be interested, and contact the people and organization listed below for more information.

George

-----------------------

Call for Abstracts: Geological Society of America

This year’s Geological Society of America (GSA) Convention will be held in Seattle, Washington, USA, on 22-25 October 2017 (http://community.geosociety.org/gsa2017/home). The GSA Karst Division is organizing the karst sessions differently this year. Instead of promoting separate and competing sessions, when you register your abstract select “Discipline Sessions” and select “Karst.” The Karst Division will then create logical, interesting, and non-competing sessions from all of the karst abstracts submitted.

In addition, there also other good sessions where karst papers are appropriate and welcome. Here is an invitation to one:

I wanted to invite you to participate in our session at the 2017 GSA annual meeting Oct. 22-25 in Seattle, WA.

The Session is T10: Groundwater Influenced Ecosystems: Springs, Gaining Streams, and Terrestrial Ecosystems.

Please consider presenting your research in our session – the abstract submission deadline is Aug. 1, 2017: http://community.geosociety.org/gsa2017/science-careers/sessions/abstracts

Description: Groundwater maintains aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in varied climates and seasons globally. Multidisciplinary advances in field and modeling techniques are needed to improve how such systems are characterized, monitored, and scientific findings conveyed to decision makers.

Rationale: Groundwater supports springs, streams and rivers, and terrestrial ecosystems globally from humid to arid climates. Important aquatic and terrestrial habitats for species of state and federal conservation interest depend on groundwater availability and consistent water quality for their existence. However anthropogenic impacts (e.g., unsustainable groundwater withdrawals and contamination) and also climate change and natural climatic variability threaten these ecosystems. Thus, improved techniques are urgently needed to characterize threats, communicate findings, and develop approaches for ecosystem mitigation before habitat degradation or species of concern are lost.

We hope you can participate in our session,

Brad Wolaver (The University of Texas at Austin), Laura Crossey (University of New Mexico), Rebecca Frus (USGS Nevada Water Science Center), Steve Loheide (University of Wisconsin–Madison)

-----------------------

Exploration Award Available—Cavers Can Apply!

The Scott Pearlman Field Award for Science and Exploration provides financial support to artists, writers, photographers, filmmakers, and media journalists to promote reproduction-quality documentation of field research on scientific expeditions. There is no age requirement and applicants do not have to be a member of The Explorers Club, although membership is highly recommended. Click here to download the application. Electronic applications only. Hard copies will not be considered or returned. The winning entry will receive $10,000 dollars. The deadline is May 31, 2017. Apply today!

Previous Recipients include: Lonnie Dupre, Michele Westmorland, Karen Huntt, Joseph Meehan, Anne Doubilet, Eugenie Clark, Katie Clancy, Ellie Ga, Alison Jones, Peter Berman, Greg Deyermenjian, Lawrence Millman, Kate Harris, Alegra Ally, and Jamie Unwin.

-----------------------

Conference Announcement: To Know and Share Caves and Karsts: Understanding, Conservation, and Geotourism

This conference will focus on discussions between scientists, territory managers, NGOs, and cave and karst specialists to share their experience and knowledge in cave and karst management. The primary objections are to:

· Evaluate current and future challenges in preserving and developing caves;

· Highlight the necessity of interdisciplinarity for a better understanding and development of caves and karst; and

· Present new methods for the conservation and development of caves and karst in a context of global climate change and local environmental, demographic, economic, and uncontrolled stresses.

The conference will occur on 6-9 March 2018, in Ardèche, southern France. For more information visit: https://dhuguet.wixsite.com/cavesymposium2018

-----------------------

International Congress of Speleology News

Hi all

Link to the current eBulletin as follows: https://www.speleo2017.com/Circulars/eBulletin_04.pdf. This issue covers information on Congress Accommodation, Cartography Salon, Congress Merchandise, Partner’s Program and a Program hi-light on some important Australian research into the critically endangered Southern bent-wing bat.

Don’t forget to visit https://www.speleo2017.com for further information or email us at with any enquiries.

Cheers

Speleo 2017 Organising Committee

-----------------------

Vacancy for PhD position in Experimental Karst Hydrology

This vacancy is within the research project “Global Assessment of Water Stress in Karst Regions in a Changing World (GloW)” funded by the Emmy-Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation (DFG).

We invite applications for a TV-L 13 position, 65% for 3 years, starting August 2017. In the framework of this position, an extensive monitoring network will be established in three karst areas in Germany, Spain and the UK with the purpose of exploring the spatial variability of the flow pathways and water storage in the shallow subsurface of the different karst regions (soil & epikarst). Combining observations of soil moisture and soil water isotope dynamics at a large number of measurements points will allow to simulate the spatiotemporal variability of shallow subsurface hydrological processes and consequently of the generation of groundwater recharge. The findings of the PhD project will contribute to the development and improvement of a large-scale karst hydrology model.

The PhD candidate will be responsible for the sampling and analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution of soil moisture and stable isotopes of water in the soil and epikarst at the three karst areas. The PhD candidate will use observed soil moisture and stable isotope patterns to derive long-term flow pathways (matrix/macropore), flow velocities, mixing patterns and downward percolation. This will require the installation of the soil moisture probes at the three sites, the frequent sampling of soil cores for soil water isotope analysis (equilibrium method), and the application of a physically-based 1D model for variably saturated conditions.

All applicants should have a MSc degree in hydro(geo)logy, soil science or environmental science or in a closely related field. We encourage applications from enthusiastic dedicated individuals with strong quantitative skills as well as good writing skills in English (German and Spanish are an asset) who enjoy working in the multi-disciplinary team of the GloW project (in total 5 researchers). Strong experimental background and willingness to travel frequently to the field sites and work in the field is essential (field campaigns of several weeks are to be expected). Knowledge of stable isotope hydrology and tracer techniques is an asset. A driving license (class B) is required.

We offer an interdisciplinary, international work environment within a formal PhD program (http://www.gs.esgc.uni-freiburg.de). An intensive exchange of the PhD students between Freiburg and the research teams at Spain (Center of Hydrogeology of the University of Malaga) and the UK (Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Bristol) is foreseen.

The University of Freiburg is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the proportion of women scientists. Consequently, we actively encourage applications from qualified women. We also welcome applications from candidates with severe disabilities who will be given preferential consideration in case of equal qualification.

Please send your application including a cover letter, CV, an example of your own scientific writing (if available), a statement of research interests, certificate & transcript of your highest degree earned and the names and contact details of at least two potential references in one pdf-file to Andreas Hartmann (). Application deadline is June 1st 2017.

-----------------------

Post-doctoral research position at the Institute of Geochemistry, CAS: Study on the karst-related carbon-water cycle and the global change

Postdoctoral fellowships are available for the karst-related carbon-water cycle and the global change study (including the global climate change, and carbon and water cycle studies) in the State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) (http://english.gyig.cas.cn/). The fellowship is a full-time commitment for two or three years. The fellow will work with Prof. Dr. Zaihua Liu, the Chief Scientist of the karst processes-related carbon-water cycle and paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental studies in China. The postdoctoral research(s) will focus on the fields of (1) rock (especially carbonate rock) weathering-related carbon-water cycle influenced by climate and land use change, and/or (2) high-resolution paleoclimate and paleoenvironment reconstruction with karst records (e.g., stalagmite and/or tufa/travertine).

Applicants should have a PhD degree in a field such as geochemistry or hydrogeology. The post-doctor will collaborate with other staff members in the lab and the institute with contribution to good working environment, and be responsible for committing to excellence in research related to geochemistry. The salary will be 10,000-20,000 RMB (or 1500-3000 US $) per month plus free accommodation depending on the applicant’s performance.

The position will be available immediately after completion of reviews. Please send a cover letter, abstract of doctoral dissertation, a research proposal by email to Professor Zaihua Liu (, Tel: +86-851-85895263, +86-13809404781).

-----------------------

USGS Karst Interest Group Workshop: Proceedings

The proceedings become available online on May 15, 2017. It is a 245 page pdf that includes the field trip guide. The online version will be available for download at: https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20175023. Also, if you will be in the San Antonio, Texas, USA, area, don’t forget to attend the workshop next week: http://geologyutsa.wixsite.com/sgsutsa/karst-interest-group-workshop.

-----------------------

Call for Hypogene Karst Papers

As detailed in the announcement below, preparation of another volume on hypogene karst now started, as a special issue of Geofluids. In contrast to the already finished (coming in July) book "Hypogene Karst Regions and Caves in the World"

http://www.springer.com/cn/book/9783319533476
https://www.springer.com/services+for+this+book?SGWID=0-1772415-3260-0-9783319533476 (a flyer PDF)

this new volume will be more focused on mechanisms and processes of hypogene karstification, in the context of fluid circulation in deep parts of basins and the entire upper crust.

I would kindly ask you to spread this information around via your networks. Links to the Call for Papers with further details about the planned special issue are in the text below.

Thank you in advance, and best wishes!

Sincerely,

--Alexander

*************************
https://www.researchgate.net/project/Focused-Reactive-Fluid-Flow-in-the-Upper-Crust-Processes-and-Manifestations-of-Hypogene-Karstification

Hypogene karstification (speleogenesis) is associated with ascending migration (leakage and discharge) of basinal, deep endogene, and deeply circulating meteoric fluids. It generates macroscopic void-conduit systems in rocks, enhances reservoir properties, and promotes the organization of fluid flow, thus creating effective pathways for upward migration of deep fluids. Hypogene karst is globally widespread, although spatially uneven, and it develops in a wide range of physicochemical conditions, geodynamic settings, and types of rocks, in both the continental and oceanic domains. This is well illustrated by the recently prepared book “Hypogene karst regions and caves in the world” that integrated a large body of regional and local studies of hypogene karst (in press by Springer; http://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319533476).

Compared to more familiar epigene karst (i.e. karst, developed by groundwater flow in shallow, commonly unconfined, aquifers), an understanding of hypogene karstification requires much deeper and broader geofluid context. Research aspects relevant to hypogene karst studies are transdisciplinary, ramifying into various areas that are covered by Geofluids, a well known international forum for research into the role of fluids in mineralogical, chemical, and structural evolution of the Earth’s crust. Geofluids is jointly published by Willey and Hindawi, has Impact Factor of 1.750 and is now an open access journal.

A recently launched Special Issue of Geofluids entitled “Focused Reactive Fluid Flow in the Upper Crust: Processes and Manifestations of Hypogene Karstification” will serve to disseminate new knowledge and ideas about hypogene karstification across the range of disciplines in which geofluids research is carried, and attract wider circles of geofluid-related scholars to further advancement of this topic. This Special Issue will examine concepts and models of focused reactive fluid flow and hypogene karstification, and advance the understanding of the relevant mechanisms and processes. The Call for Papers, where potential topics are specified in details, can be accessed via the following links:

http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/geofluids/si/576969.pdf
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/geofluids/si/576969/cfp/

Interested researchers are kindly invited to submit to this Geofluids Special Issue.

Alexander Klimchouk, Yuri Dublyansky, Serdar Bayari, Bogdan Onac, - Guest Editors

*********************************
Dr. Alexander Klimchouk
Karst and Cave Science

Institute of Geological Sciences,
Natl. Academy of Science of Ukraine
55-b Gonchara Str., Kiev 01054 Ukraine
*******
E-mail:

Research profile:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander_Klimchouk
UIS KHS Commission website - Speleogenesis Network:
www.speleogenesis.info

-----------------------

National Caves Association declares June 6 National Day of Caves and Karst

[Press release from the US National Caves Association]

Cobleskill, NY (May 12, 2017) — The National Caves Association, which represents more than 80 show caves in the United States, Bermuda and Barbados, has declared June 6 as National Day of Caves and Karst to increase awareness of the roles both play in our lives and the environment. Karst is an area of land made up of limestone; its landscapes feature caves, underground streams and sinkholes on the surface.

According to CavesLive.org, which is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Prince William Network, caves and karst make landscapes diverse, fascinating and rich in resources, including the largest springs and most productive groundwater on Earth and 175 different minerals, a few of which have only been found in caves. They provide a unique subsurface habitat for rare animals and preserve fragile archaeological and paleontological materials for millennia.

“There’s just so much to see, learn and discover underground,” Patty Perlaky, president of the National Caves Association, said. “With publicly accessible caves located throughout the country, our hope with the National Day of Caves and Karst on June 6 is to encourage people to tour at least one cave this summer. We’ve come up with five reasons why they should.”

1. See things they’ve never seen before.

No two caves are alike. Sights on a cave tour include formations, millions of years in the making, such as stalagmites, stalactites, aragonite crystals, flowstone and cave bacon. There are also many caves with water features, such as underground rivers, pristine lakes and raging waterfalls.

2. Spend quality time with family.

Some of the best family memories are made during summer vacations and staycations. Exploring caves with kids not only means quality time together, it can spark an interest in science and nature that will last a lifetime. Bonding opportunities exist as well when family members share a challenge such as going deep underground for an adventurous wild tour.

“Most people don’t realize that when they’re out walking or taking a hike, there might be a completely different world beneath their feet. Even teenagers, who weren’t that excited about the trip to begin with, are amazed and want to go right back in for another tour,” John Graves, president and CEO of Virginia’s Luray Caverns, explained. “Instead of more screen time this summer, get kids of all ages engaged in the natural world. No matter how many times you go underground, it’s different every time.”

3. Cave tours are educational.

Most guided tours teach guests about the history of that particular cave and the surrounding area, as well as its geology, the positive impacts of bats and the importance of cave conservation. There’s a lot more to learn about the scientific research that’s taking place in caves around the world. Universities are partnering with privately owned caves to learn how unique bacteria can play a role in cancer treatment and the development of new antibiotics. Researchers also collect broken formations to track historical weather trends dating back hundreds of thousands of years and take water samples to identify changes in mineral content.

“There’s no limit to the ways that we can benefit by better understanding caves and karst. Astronauts train underground, and NASA is considering the possibility of using a cave to create a shelter on Mars so that only one exterior wall has to be constructed,” Perlaky, who is also co-manager of Cave Without a Name in Boerne, Texas, added. “Cave discoveries include unique species as well as fossilized bones, some dating back to the Ice Age. The list goes on and on.”

The National Park Service offers a Junior Cave Scientist Program to encourage kids’ learning. A free activity booklet is available for download at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/caves/junior-cave-scientist-program.htm.

4. Spending time in nature has many benefits.

Multiple studies show that nature boosts our mental and physical well-being. Benefits, particularly when paired with exercise, include restored mental energy, better vision in children, improved concentration, sharper thinking and creativity. Spending time in natural spaces has been linked to increased energy, improved cognition, reduced anger and stress, lower blood pressure and slower heart rates.

5. Caves are fun.

These aren’t your grandfather’s cave tours. Options for exploring and spending time in caverns are increasing each year. Visitors can: travel on underground rivers in electric tour boats at Bluespring Caverns and in kayaks at Indiana Caverns, both in Indiana, or by floating at Natural Stone Bridge Caves and Park in New York; watch live concerts broadcast by PBS or camp out at Tennessee’s Cumberland Caverns; and listen to the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the world’s largest musical instrument, at Luray Caverns in Virginia. Visitors to the Sea Lion Caves wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary on the Oregon Coast often spot sea lions inside the cave, depending on the time of year.

Sometimes, just getting to the cave is fun. Access to Glenwood Caverns and the Historic Fairy Caves in Colorado is via tram, with panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains along the way. In California, guests descend 150 feet by rope to enter the main chamber at Moaning Caverns, no experience required. A Lake Shasta Caverns’ California adventure begins with a ride across the crystal blue waters of Shasta Lake on a 65-foot catamaran.

“I’ve been a caver most of my life, so any time I spend underground is fun for me. Having the family join me makes it even better,” Steve Beckley, who owns Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with his wife Jeanne, said. “Like all cave owners, we are stewards of these incredibly delicate natural resources. We all share a passion for protecting them and for educating people about them. That’s what the National Day of Caves and Karst is all about.”

More information about the National Caves Association and its members can be found at cavern.com.

###

Media Contact

Mandy Gauldin, Peak Communications

| 970.379.5277 | @mandygauldin

About the National Caves Association

Founded in 1965 by a small group of private show cave owners from across the United States, the National Caves Association has been encouraging the public to discover the underground wonders of America's show caves for 52 years. From a small group of about 30 show cave owners in 1965, the Association has grown over the years to a membership of more than 80 of the best show caves across the United States, Bermuda and Barbados. cavern.com

-----------------------

List of Upcoming Cave and Karst Meetings

1) US Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Meeting, 16-18 May 2017 (San Antonio, Texas, USA). http://geologyutsa.wixsite.com/sgsutsa/karst-interest-group-workshop.

2) Climate Record: The Karst Record VIII, 21-24 May 2017, (Austin, Texas, USA), http://sites.uci.edu/kr8conference/

3) 25^th International Karstological School “Classical Karst”: Milestones and challenges in Karstology, 19-23 June 2017 (Postojna, Slovenia), http://iks.zrc-sazu.si

4) National Speleological Society Convention, 19-23 June 2017 (Rio Rancho, New Mexico, USA), http://nss2017.caves.org/

5) National Association of Mining History Organisations Conference 2017, 23-26 June 2017 (Godstone, Surrey, UK), http://namho2017.info/

6) Man and Karst 2017 International Scientific Meeting, 26-29 June (Zadar, Croatia), https://manandkarst2017.wixsite.com/manandkarst2017

7) 17^th International Congress of Speleology, 23-30 July 2017 (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia), http://speleo2017.com/

8) International Clean-up of Gouffre Berger, 1-15 August 2017 (Vercors, France), http://cds39.fr/BFC/index.

9) Biospeleology Conference, 21-23 September 2017 (Seville, Spain), https://5encuentrobssevill.wixsite.com/veibs

10) 44^th International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress, 25-29 September 2017 (Dubrovnik, Croatia), http://iah2017.org/

11) Geological Society of America Convention, 22-25 October (Seattle, -Washington, USA), http://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Events/Annual_Meeting/GSA/Events/gsa2017.aspx

12) National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, 16-20 October 2017 (Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA), http://www.nckms2017.com/

13) British Cave Research Association 28^th Cave Science Symposium, 20-21 October 2017 (Leeds, UK), website to be announced.

14) International Conference on Geomorphology, 6-11 November 2017 (New Delhi, India), karst session, http://www.icg2017.com/session.php

15) Workshop: Grotte de Han, New Dramatic Effect of Lighting, 16-18 November 2017 (Han-sur-Lesse, Belgium), .

16) To Know and Share Caves and Karsts: Understanding, Conservation, and Geotourism, 6-9 March 2018 (Ardèche, France), https://dhuguet.wixsite.com/cavesymposium2018

17) The Sinkhole Conference, joint with the 3^rd Appalachian Karst Symposium, 2-6 April 2018 (Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA), http://www.sinkholeconference.com/

18) 18^th International Vulcanospeleology Symposium, 21-27 July 2018 (Lava Beds National Monument, California, USA), http://www.vulcanospeleology.org/sym18/ISV18.html

19) EuroSpeleo Forum 2018, 23-26 August 2018 (Ebensee, Austria), http://eurospeleo.at/expo.html.

20) 24^th International Conference on Subterranean Biology, 20-24 August 2018 (University of Aveiro, Portugal), website to be announced.

********************

George Veni, PhD

Executive Director

National Cave and Karst Research Institute

400-1 Cascades Avenue

Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215 USA

Office: 575-887-5517

Mobile: 210-863-5919

Fax: 575-887-5523