[CML #17381] Fwd: Cave and karst news and announcements from NCKRI

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От кого: George Veni <>
Кому: George Veni <>
Дата: Sat, 28 Dec 2019 -2:17:37 -0300
Тема: Cave and karst news and announcements from NCKRI

Dear Friends,

This is the last NCKRI news message for 2019. We hope it is has been an excellent year for you and that 2020 will be even better.

As always, if there is anything we can do to support your cave and karst projects, please let us know. And if you are not on NCKRI’s e-mail list and are getting this message indirectly, please contact me if you want to be added directly to our list. We send these messages about 1-2 times each month. We do not spam anyone or sell our list, and there is no cost to join.

Here is the latest news:

Student and Research Opportunities

Open Season for 2020 Caving Season Project Proposals: Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico, USA
PhD Positions Available in Thermal Transfers in Caves: Switzerland
28^th International Karstological School “Classical Karst”: Slovenia

Various News

AMCS Website Updated and Free PDF of Bulletin 26 Available
Call for Karst Critical Zone Papers

Conferences and Meetings

The 16^th Sinkhole Conference: New Event. Karst Clips!
1^st Karst Science Forum: Romania
14^th International Symposium on Pseudokarst Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains: Poland
14^thBalkan Cavers’ Camp: Bulgaria
International Year of Caves and Karst: Reminder
List of Upcoming Cave and Karst Meetings

Please contact the people and organizations listed below for more information, and feel free to share this message with anyone who may be interested.

George

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Open Season for 2020 Caving Season Project Proposals: Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico, USA

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), New Mexico Roswell Field Office (RFO), is now accepting proposals for project work in caves within our field office that require a special recreation permit (SRP), for the 2020 caving season (April 15 - October 31).

A ranking system will be used to evaluate proposals on a number of criteria. The ranking will be based on how well the proposal meets the criteria and our management priorities. For Fort Stanton Cave, the BLM management priorities for the 2020 caving season are:

1. White Nose Syndrome (WNS) and other scientific research;

2. Mapping and monitoring of Snowy River Passage;

3. Hydrologic analysis of the Cave system;

4. Cave restoration;

5. Archaeological analysis in and around the Cave system;

6. Data gathering for Caver Quest; and

7. Other in-Cave mapping and projects.

In addition to proposals being submitted for SRP-managed caves, the RFO encourages proposals to be submitted for non-SRP caves on BLM managed public lands. In addition to the SRP, a collection permit is required for collecting samples on public lands. Please request collection permit(s) in your SRP application proposal. Proposals will be accepted from today’s date until January 7, 2020.

Proposals can be submitted to the RFO by email, the postal system, or hand delivered. If submitting by email, please use the subject line “2020 RFO Caving Proposal.” The proposal should be either a .pdf or a Microsoft Word document, and be an attachment to the email. Please send to the following email address: . All email submissions MUST be sent to this email address. For more information and other submission instructions, visit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-activities/new-mexico/2020-caving-proposals.

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PhD Positions Available in Thermal Transfers in Caves: Switzerland

The Swiss Institute for Speleology and Karst-Studies (SISKA) offers two PhD positions to enthusiastic students holding a relevant Master degree. SISKA is renowned for his expertise in cave and karst environments in Switzerland and abroad. The research project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, deals with heat transfer in karst massifs and involves specialists from SISKA and FAST-Laboratory from the University of Paris-Saclay (Paris-Sud) and CNRS alongside with Swiss Universities (Neuchâtel, ETH).

As a PhD student you will be part of a dynamic, international research team and benefit from the doctoral program at University of Neuchâtel, with connections to most Swiss Universities and ETH. The first position is suitable to an Earth/Environmental-scientist with interests in groundwater and heat flow and willing to conduct intensive cave monitoring. The second position is designed for a student with strong modelling skills and interested in fluid dynamics and heat transfer.

The research program will last 4 years and the PhD must be achieved within this time frame. The aim of this project is to produce a founded assessment of heat and mass transfers in karst systems to address the following questions:

1. How significant is air ventilation for heat transfer in karst massifs?

2. What is the typical thermal reaction time of caves to climate change?

3. Does condensation water in karst contribute to a significant degree to groundwater recharge of karst aquifers? Under which circumstances?

Results of the project are important for paleoclimate reconstructions from speleothems, for conservation of archaeological caves, for groundwater, for geothermal extraction, etc. The attached abstract provides more information about the project.

Position 1 (heat transfer monitoring)

Your mission:

Participate to the definition of a global conceptual model of heat transfer in karst massifs to be challenged along the research program
Refining the existing monitoring concept
Set up a simple and efficient concept for the data management
Select, buy, and set up monitoring devices
Acquiring field measurements and observations
Analyze and interpret existing and acquired data, and link them to the literature
Integrate field data with modelling results
Contribution to scientific papers and leadership in manuscript preparations.

Expected skills:

Team working
Sense of synthesis
Knowledge in environmental sciences, if possible geosciences
Interest and capacities to lead field work in caves
Interest and capacities in selecting, assembling and set up monitoring devices in the field
Interest and capacities in analyzing data (statistics & data presentation)
Interest and sound understanding of fluid mechanics and heat transfers
Writing skills in English (papers)
Master degree in Geosciences or environmental sciences

Position 2 (Heat transfer modelling)

Your mission:

Participate to the definition of a global conceptual model of heat transfer in karst massifs to be challenged along the research program
Participate to the translation of the model into equations
Coding the solving of equations in Comsol Multiphysics
Take part to the setup of monitoring devices in the field and make observations
Link modelling results to field data
Contribution to scientific papers and leadership in manuscript preparations
Collaborating and bridging two teams, one in Paris-Saclay, the other one in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The student will work on both sites, La Chaux-de-Fonds and Saclay.

Expected skills:

Team working
Interests in fluid mechanics and heat transfer in natural underground environments
Interest and capacities in numerical simulation
Interest in fieldwork in caves
Writing skills in English (papers)
Master degree in fluid dynamics, physics or Geomodelling

To apply, please send by email to Prof. Pierre-Yves Jeannin () with:

A cover letter explaining your overall motivation for entering this specific PhD program;
Your curriculum vitae;
The list of the courses following along your Bachelor's and Master's degrees;
An abstract of your Master’s Thesis
Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least two referees

The deadline for applications is set at January 31st, 2020.

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28^th International Karstological School “Classical Karst”: Slovenia

Dear colleague!

You are cordially invited to participate at the 28^th International Karstological School “Classical Karst”: Regional karstology - Local and general aspects, from the 15^th to 19^th June 2020 in Postojna, Slovenia.

Abstracts in English are submitted upon registration.

More information and the first circular are available on https://iks.zrc-sazu.si/en/

Organizing Committee

Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU

Titov trg 2, SI-6230 Postojna, Slovenia

T: +386 5 700 1900

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AMCS Website Updated and Free PDF of Bulletin 26 Available

The Association for Mexican Cave Studies (AMCS) has updated its website at http://www.mexicancaves.org/ with new contacts and information. Free pdfs of the following book and its regional map are available in the Bulletins page at http://www.mexicancaves.org/bul/bulcat.html:

The Astyanax Caves of Mexico: Cavefishes of Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, and Guerrero (2018), by William R. Elliott, with contributions by Luis Espinasa and Jean Louis Lacaille Múzquiz, 326 pp.

This well illustrated book covers the Sierra de El Abra Region, one of the premier cave areas of Mexico, with history, biology, ecology, hydrogeology and cave accounts — something for everyone. The book contains 14 chapters, 6 appendices, 18 tables, 15 area maps, 53 cave maps, 3 illustrations, 183 photos, 1001 references, 8 caver stories, Spanish summaries, a table of 282 cavers and scientists, and an English translation of Federico Bonet's classic 1953 paper on the El Abra Region. A folded regional geologic/topographic map, 10” x 29” (25 x 74 cm), suitable for field work, is included in an envelope in the back cover. Some printed copies are still in stock for US$30 plus shipping. See the ordering instructions and PayPal widget on the website.

The free book pdf is 273MB. (The high-resolution pdf is needed to make the photos and maps legible.) You may also download the large, El Abra regional map, 56MB.

William R. (Bill) Elliott, AMCS web editor

573-291-5093 cell

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Call for Karst Critical Zone Papers

The Journal of Hydrology is planning a special Issue on "Advances in Hydrology and the Water Environment in the Karst Critical Zone Under the Impacts of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities" and is calling for papers. The submission deadline is May 31, 2020. For more details, visit: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-hydrology/call-for-papers/advances-in-hydrology-and-the-water-environment.

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The 16^th Sinkhole Conference: New Event. Karst Clips!

Are you interested in attending the Sinkhole Conference, but were unable to submit a full paper for publication? We still want to hear about your projects and research, and offer a new opportunity, less formal than a full paper and talk.

This year, we are organizing a special session called “Karst Clips” that will allow any participant to give a brief presentation about their work. This session, styled in the manner of “lightning talks” common at many conferences, is designed to broaden participation and content, as well as to provoke discussions among participants.

Details about Karst Clips are highlighted at www.sinkholeconference.com, where you can also register for the conference. Don’t forget, except for one dinner, the registration price includes all of your meals!

The 16^th Multidisciplinary Conference on Sinkholes and Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, generally called “The Sinkhole Conference,” will be in its most fabulous location yet, the historic city of San Juan and the incredible karst of Puerto Rico from 20-24 April 2020. Access to the conference is also easy, often as cheap or cheaper than flying to many other US locations. A lot of great talks are lined up, as well as field trips, short courses, and more. For all of the details, to register, and also to reserve your hotel room, visit www.sinkholeconference.com.

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1^st Karst Science Forum: Romania

The 1^st Karst Science Forum: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Earth and Life Science will be organized by the Emil Racovita Institute of Speleology in Bucharest, Romania, between June 24 and 27, 2020. The meeting is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the world’s first karst research institute and its founder, Emil Racovita. In this context, the aim of ERIS 100 is to bring together scientists working with state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies in various research fields related to cave and karst science. What have been the advances in these fields over the past century? How do we see the interdisciplinary in cave and karst science today? What are the bridging elements to connect and advance cave and karst science? What are the challenges for karst and cave exploration and research in the future? For more information, to register, and to submit an abstract for the conference, visit https://www.eris100.ro.

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14^th International Symposium on Pseudokarst Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains: Poland

Dear Members and Friends of the Pseudokarst Commission as well as other Cavers and Speleologists interested in non-karst caves and pseudokarst landforms!

You are cordially invited to participate in 14^th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON PSEUDOKARST, which finally will be held in Chęciny, Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains, central Poland, in June, 2020. Pseudokarst (non-karst) caves represent great numbers of caves discovered, explored and studied currently and in the past. However, they are still underestimated in publications, presentations and media reports dedicated to cave exploration and research. Just now the International Union of Speleology is preparing its activities for the International Year of Caves and Karst. “Karst” is clearly called in this Year name, but we know that many caves are not related to karst. What will be our contribution to the organization of this Year? How will non-karst caves be “visible” during this Year and discerned after its completion? This problem and other similar topics will be subjects of discussion during the 14^th International Symposium of Pseudokarst.

For more information and register, visit the symposium website: https://14pseudokarst.wonders4you.com/

Sincerely Yours

Jan Urban, President of the UIS Pseudokarst Commission

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14^thBalkan Cavers’ Camp: Bulgaria

Dear Caver friends!

We are happy to announce that the Bulgarian Caving Society, together with the Bulgarian Federation of Speleology, unanimously agreed to take over the organization and the carry out of the 14^thBalkan Cavers’ Camp. The co-organizers and hosts of the Camp are the Municipality of Dryanovo, Touristic Society „Bacho Kiro“ Dryanovo, and Speleo Club „Strinava“, Dryanovo.

When? The Camp will be carried out from 2-5 July 2020.

Where? The event will take place nearby Dryanovo Town in the vicinity of Dyanovo Monastery „St. Archangel Michael„.

Accommodations: The center of the event will be the “Bacho Kiro“ Hut where all administrative activities and presentations will be held. The main place of accommodation will be the Camping „Strinava“ very close to the hut.

The program will include presentations, field trips, visits to several caves in the Fore Balkan and Balkan Mountains, photo exhibitions, and multimedia shows. It is an area with a very special archaeological and historical past, marked by tales and legends, where some of the most interesting Bulgarian caves are present: Anduka, Bacho Kiro, Izvora na Yantra, Machanov Trap, and Marina Doupka, which we invite you to discover.

Detailed information and on-line registration and payment will be available on the web page http://balkancaverscamp.weebly.com/ of the event soon.

More information will be available also at FB web page of BSU!

If you need more information do not hesitate to contact us at:

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International Year of Caves and Karst: Reminder

This will be the biggest and most important speleological event ever. Your participation as part of the global cave and karst community is crucial. The purpose of the International Year of Caves and Karst (IYCK) is to teach the world about the importance of caves and karst. Public understanding and support of caves and karst is currently very limited. As a result, funding, regulations, and opportunities for exploration, research, and management are also very limited.

The International Union of Speleology (UIS) has declared 2021 as the IYCK in a major effort to make the world aware of how caves and karst are valuable to all people. To make this possible, the UIS is calling on all of its member countries and other organizations to begin planning a series of public lectures, programs, demonstration of techniques, and others activities for 2021.

The IYCK website is now open at http://www.iyck2021.org/. It is designed to teach the public about caves and karst, and so it has a great amount of educational information. It also has information on how to become involved in the IYCK. Please send the activities you plan for the IYCK to http://iyck2021.org/index.php/contact-us/ so we can post them on the “Events” page of the website. Look at the Partners page, and if your organization is not listed, send your logo and website address and you will be included. If you know of organizations that should be involved, contact them. The website will continue to be updated so save the address.

More details about the IYCK are described in the December 2018 UIS Bulletin (http://www.uis-speleo.org/downloads/uis-bulletins/uisb602.pdf) and they will be updated in next issue of the UIS Bulletin, which will be posted around the end of this year. Updates will also be sent through this and other e-mail lists. If you have questions, suggestions, or want to offer assistance, contact us!

The IYCK has incredible potential to advance speleology in many and great ways, but only if we all work together to make it possible.

George Veni, PhD

Executive Director, National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)

and

President, International Union of Speleology (UIS)

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List of Upcoming Cave and Karst Meetings

1) International Congress: 80^th Anniversary of the Cuban Speleological Society, 19-23 February 2020 (Caibarién, Villa Clara, Cuba), for information contact

2) Workshop on Surveying Caves with the Disto X, 28 February 2020 (Viñales, Cuba), for information contact or

3) 16^th Multidisciplinary Conference on the Engineering and Environmental Impacts of Karst, 20-24 April 2020 (San Juan, Puerto Rico), www.sinkholeconference.com

4) ALCADI 2020: International Symposium on History of Speleology and Karstology (ALps, CArpathians and DInarides), 30 April - 3 May 2020 (Gorizia, Italy), contact:

5) 23^rd Conference of the Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association, 3-8 May 2020 (Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, Australia), www.ackma.org.

6) 9th International Workshop on Ice Caves (IWIC-IX) & the 12th Scientific Conference Research, Utilization and Protection of Caves, 12-15 May 2020 (Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia), http://www.ssj.sk/en/akcia/18-12th-scientific-conference-research-protection-and-utilization-of-caves

7) US Geological Survey Karst Interest Group Meeting, 13-14 May 2020 (Nashville, Tennessee), https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-resources/science/karst-interest-group-kig-2020-workshop?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects

8) UNESCOkarst 2020: Conservation of Fragile Karst Resources, 18-22 May 2020 (Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA), https://unescokarst2020.com/

9) 7th International Course Characterization and Engineering of Karst Aquifers (CEKA), 12-20 June 2020 (Montenegro: Žabljak-Durmitor Mt., Virpazar-Skadar Lake, and Bosnia and Herzegovina: Trebinje), http://www.karst.edu.rs.

10) 25^th International Conference on Subterranean Biology, 28 June – 4 July 2020 (Alba Iulia, Romania), https://www.25icsb.com/

11) 14^thBalkan Cavers’, 2-5 July 2020 (Dryanovo Town, Bulgaria), http://balkancaverscamp.weebly.com/

12) Karst Record IX (KR9) Conference, 12-15 July 2019 (Innsbruck, Austria), https://www.uibk.ac.at/congress/kr9/

13) US National Speleological Society Annual Convention, 27-31 July 2020 (Elkins, West Virginia, USA), https://caves.regfox.com/nss-convention-2020

14) Carbonate Critical Zone: An NSF-Sponsored Workshop, 2-5 August 2020 (Philadelphia and central Pennsylvania), https://carbonatecriticalzone.research.ufl.edu/

15) 34^th International Geographical Congress karst sessions: Global Karst Critical Zone and Land Use Planning in Karst, 17-20 August 2020 (Istanbul, Turkey), https://www.igc2020.org/en/KARST%20COMMISSION.html

16) 19^th International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology, 29 August – 5 September 2020 (Catania, Italy), http://www.19isvetna.com/

17) 6th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium, 22 - 26 September 2020 (Isle of Vilm, Germany), contact

18) Geological Society of America Convention, 25-28 October 2020 (Montréal, Québec, Canada), http://www.geosociety.org/

19) EuroKarst 2021: The European Congress on Karst Hydrogeology and Carbonate Reservoirs, 22-24 June 2021 (Málaga, Spain), http://www.eurokarst.org/

20) 18^th International Congress of Speleology, 23-29 July 2021 (Lyon, France), http://uis2021.speleos.fr/

21) SpeleoKamaraton, 29 October – 1 November 2021 (Marina di Camerota, Salerno, Italy), http://www.speleokamaraton.eu/

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George Veni, PhD

Executive Director, National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)

and

President, International Union of Speleology (UIS)

NCKRI address (primary)

400-1 Cascades Avenue

Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 USA

Office: +575-887-5517

Mobile: +210-863-5919

Fax: +575-887-5523

www.nckri.org

UIS address

Titov trg 2

Postojna, 6230 Slovenia

--
Bulat Mavlyudov