[CML #16740] Fwd: NCKRI cave and karst news and announcements

Dear Friends,

This week we are happy to share a wide array of information of interest to professionals and students:

· The Sinkhole Conference and 3^rd Appalachian Karst Symposium: Call for Abstracts and Registration

· The Sinkhole Conference: Beck Student Scholarship Call for Applications

· The Sinkhole Conference: Beck Student Scholarship Call for Donors

· Geological Society of America Convention: Karst Sessions Call for Abstracts

· PhD Position in Karst Hydrology, Montpellier, France

· Karstology Doctoral Studies

· Post-Doctoral Research Position in China

· Updates on the International Congress of Speleology

· Special Issue of Geofluids on Hypogene Karst

· List of Upcoming Cave and Karst Meetings

You will find all of the details below. As always, feel free to share this message and please contact the people and organizations listed below for more information.

George

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The Sinkhole Conference and 3^rd Appalachian Karst Symposium: Call for Abstracts and Registration

The Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, generally called “The Sinkhole Conference,” is the longest-running international conference of its type. Since 1984, engineers, geologists, hydrologists, land managers, biologists, and many others have gathered at these meetings to exchange cutting-edge information on karst and its many benefits and challenges. I am happy to now announce that the call for abstracts is open for the 15^th Sinkhole Conference. Abstracts may be submitted until 15 August 2017, after which will be the time to submit your papers to accompany your abstracts. The papers of past Sinkhole Conferences have made those proceedings highly sought and widely cited. We expect the proceedings of the upcoming meeting will be the best yet.

The Sinkhole Conference is managed by the National Cave and Karst Research Institute and this next conference will be jointly organized with the Karst Waters Institute. Additionally, the conference will include the 3^rd Appalachian Karst Symposium to make for a truly special event.

The 15^th Sinkhole Conference will occur on 2-6 April 2018 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA, about a 1.5 hour drive from the Washington, DC area. You can find all currently available information about the conference at http://www.sinkholeconference.com/. To submit your abstracts and for instructions on preparing them, see http://www.sinkholeconference.com/abstract-and-paper-submissions-notification-content.

On behalf of the 15^th Sinkhole Conference Organizing Committee, we look forward to receiving your abstracts and seeing you in Shepherdstown next year!

George Veni

Sinkhole Conference Co-chair

NCKRI Executive Director

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The Sinkhole Conference: Beck Student Scholarship Call for Applications

The Sinkhole Conference was created in 1984 and led for many years by Dr. Barry Beck. In his memory, the conference now offers the Beck Student Scholarship. Students awarded a Beck Scholarship will receive free registration to the conference and up to $1,000 reimbursement for travel expenses, as well as certain special recognitions and other benefits. Scholars from the previous Sinkhole Conference are recognized at http://www.sinkholeconference.com/2015-beck-student-scholars. To apply for the scholarship, visit http://www.sinkholeconference.com/how-apply-scholarship.

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The Sinkhole Conference: Beck Student Scholarship Call for Donors

The Sinkhole Conference funds one Beck Student Scholarship for each conference, but more than one scholarship can be offered with your support. Four were awarded last time! Attending The Sinkhole Conference can be a life-changing experience for students by opening their eyes to state-of-the-art knowledge, and important professional contacts and opportunities. To help change a student’s life for the better, we ask and encourage you to donate to the Beck Scholarship. All donations are tax deductible. For details on how to donate, visit http://www.sinkholeconference.com/how-sponsor-scholarship.

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Geological Society of America Convention: Karst Sessions Call for Abstracts

Dear friends,

It's time to start thinking about submitting your research as abstracts for the upcoming 2017 GSA Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington, USA (October 22-25, 2017), http://community.geosociety.org/gsa2017/home. Below is a list of all of the proposed Karst-related sessions for the meeting. Please consider submitting an abstract to these sessions. Abstract submission opens in June and the deadline is August 1st. Abstracts can be submitted here.

T1. 21st Century Rock Flow Properties and Processes: 3D Printing, Digital Rock Physics, and Hydrogeophysics
We encourage novel studies that employ high-tech methods (3D printing, hydrogeophysics, computed tomography, high resolution stratigraphy, etc.) to describe and interpret natural the processes that control flow through natural groundwater pore systems.

T7. Diffuse Recharge and Infiltration in Karst and Pseudo-Karst Terrains
Climate, vegetation, soils, and geology each exert controls on groundwater recharge. The mechanisms in karst terrain can be episodic from ephemeral streams or diffuse from interfluve soils. This session will focus on the latter.

T13. In Honor of John M. (Jack) Sharp Jr.: Celebrating over 40 Years of Science, Students, and Stewardship

John M. (Jack) Sharp, Jr. has been a pillar of hydrogeology in local, regional, national, and international circles for over 40 years. This session honors Jack and his contributions to the field of hydrogeology, including karst hydrogeology!

T24. How Nick Crawford's Vision Helped Shape Contemporary Karst Science and Education
Nick Crawford is a pioneer of karst science and education. We highlight his contributions through perspectives of scientists Nick influenced, who worked with him, or who study areas of karst science that Nick helped innovate.

T25. Karst Ecosystems and Biogeochemistry
Abstracts that deal with the study of cave and karst ecosystems, including the identification, quantification, and/or discussion of biota, flora, microbial, and related biogeochemical processes or environments in or near karst features.

T26. Karst Hazards and Monitoring
Abstracts focused on the various hazards (sinkholes, groundwater pollution, etc.) and monitoring approaches found in karst landscapes. Topics include technical applications (e.g., LiDAR, 3D scanning, geodatabase development) and management implications (resource management, education, policy and regulation in karst areas).

T27. Karst Hydrology and Hydrogeology
Abstracts themed around the fundamental aspects of fluid-rock interactions within karst landscapes, including geologic, hydrogeologic, and hydrologic investigations. Appropriate topics range from dye tracing and aquifer processes to surface-subsurface hydrologic interactions and quantitative modeling.

T28. Karst Processes and Speleology
Abstracts discussing cave and karst forming processes, including the geomorphic evolution of karst landscapes, cave system development, and cave survey studies. Carbonate weathering, hypogene processes, structural controls, and other related topics are included.

T29. Karst Sedimentary, Paleoclimate, and Historical Records
Abstracts on cave deposits (sediments, speleothems, tufa, etc.), karst environmental records (sedimentary, underwater deposits, carbonate stratigraphy, etc.), and geoarchaeological and historical investigations to reconstruct or interpret past climates, landscapes, land use, and similar phenomena.

Warmest regards,
Josh Feinberg
Karst Division Secretary

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PhD Position in Karst Hydrology, Montpellier, France

A research position for PhD in karst hydrology to conduct a hydrologic modelling of flood events and identification of spatial indicators of runoff genesis on karstic basins in Europe. See the attached file for details.

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Karstology Doctoral Studies

The Karstology doctoral study programme is a world-wide unique programme which provides a comprehensive study of karst science, combining the study of the karst landscape, karst caves, karst hydrogeology, biology and ecology of karst in one course of study. It was designed for students who wish to gain deeper insight of this broadly integrated system of karst sciences. The fundamental objective of the programme is to produce two types of karstologists. The first is the karstologist-researcher who can conduct independent research on karst and karst phenomena from multiple aspects. The second type is the karstologist- manager who can apply the full knowledge of karst conveyed by narrowly specialized experts for different applications (economy, education, protection).

The programme was developed with researchers of the Karst Research Institute at Research Centre of the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) and is carried out by professors and researchers from Karst Research Institute and invited foreign professors, and is coordinated and managed by the University of Nova Gorica. Lectures and research take place in the premises of the Karst Research Institute in Postojna where students are provided all necessary professional and scientific support for their own research work. Successful functioning of doctoral study programme Karstology resulted in naming it in 2014 as the UNESCO Chair on Karst Education.

For more details about the programme visit http://www.ung.si/en/study/graduate-school/study/3KR/ or contact:

Associate professor Dr. Martin KNEZ, Univ. Grad. Eng. Geology
Director of Graduate Study Programme Karstology
Graduate School, University of Nova Gorica, Slovenia

Karst Research Institute
Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
P.O. Box 59, SI-6230 Postojna, Slovenia
Tel: ++386 5 700 1915, ++386 5 700 1900 Fax: ++386 5 700 1999
Email:

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Post-Doctoral Research Position in China

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 paleoenvironmental 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 a contribution to the 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).

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Updates on the International Congress of Speleology

Dear Cavers and Speleologists

Hello from the ICS Organising team and apologies for any cross postings.

The latest Speleo 2017 eBulletin is now up for viewing at https://www.speleo2017.com/Circulars/eBulletin_06.pdf. This issue contains information on the Congress program, Donors’ Dinner, Field Trips and Cave Monitoring Workshop.

The latest eBulletins are available at

https://www.speleo2017.com/Circulars/eBulletin_04.pdf and https://www.speleo2017.com/Circulars/eBulletin_05.pdf.

eBulletin 04 covers information on the Congress Accommodation, Merchandise, Cartography Salon and the Partner’s Program. eBulletin 05 covers information on prizes offered by the UIS, a Congress Accommodation "match-up" service, the Childrens Program and Sixteen Legs, a not to be missed exposition of antipodean caves and cave biology.

A special Speleo2017 Congress pin has been designed. Size 25 mm x 21 mm. Colour pink on black. Just 99 of the pins will be available for sale at $10 AUD each. To secure one of these limited collector's items, please send an email to Cathie at . Pay and collect at the registration desk.

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

Best Regards and we look forward to seeing you very soon in July.

Speleo 2017 Organising Committee

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Special Issue of Geofluids on Hypogene Karst

Geofluids (an open access journal with Impact Factor of 1.750, published by Willey and Hindawi) has opened a Special Issue entitled "Focused Reactive Fluid Flow in the Upper Crust: Processes and Manifestations of Hypogene Karstification". This issue, aimed to further examine concepts and models of hypogene karstification and advance the understanding of the relevant mechanisms and processes, will be edited by a guest editorial team consisting of Alexander Klimchouk, Yuri Dublyansky, Serdar Bayari,and Bogdan Onac.

Potential topics and due dates are specified in the Call for Papers, which 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/

To accompany and support the preparation of this Special Issue, a project is started on ResearchGate:

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

Interested researchers are encouraged to join this project and consider submitting papers.

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List of Upcoming Cave and Karst Meetings

1) 25^th International Karstological School “Classical Karst”: Milestones and challenges in Karstology, 19-23 June 2017 (Postojna, Slovenia), http://iks.zrc-sazu.si

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

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

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

5) 17^th International Congress of Speleology, 23-30 July 2017 (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia), http://speleo2017.com/

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

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

8) 44^th International Association of Hydrogeologists Congress, 25-29 September 2017 (Dubrovnik, Croatia), http://iah2017.org/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16) 18^th International Vulcanospeleology Symposium, 21-27 July 2018 (Lava Beds National Monument, California, USA), http://www.vulcanospeleology.org/sym18/ISV18.html

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

18) 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