Speleology

Speleology

The study of caves, the way they are formed, physical properties and type.

Industry: Natural environment

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Speleology

straw stalactite

Natural environment; Speleology

The simplest form of stalactite — a fragile, thin walled tube, normally of calcite, which is the diameter of the drops of water that hang from its end and continue its growth. Though only about 5mm ...

duck

Natural environment; Speleology

A place where water reaches the cave roof for a short distance and can be passed by quick submergence without swimming.

ground water

Natural environment; Speleology

The part of the subsurface water that is in the phreatic zone. Its lower limits are the zone of rock flowage or the lowest fully confining bed; its upper limits are the uppermost fully confining bed ...

sediment

Natural environment; Speleology

Material recently deposited by water, ice or wind, or precipitated from water.

blind valley

Natural environment; Speleology

A karst valley abruptly terminated by the passage underground of the watercourse which has hitherto resisted the karst processes and remained at the surface. An intermediate type, the half-blind ...

watershed

Natural environment; Speleology

A drainage basin. 2. A divide separating one drainage basin from another.

ponor

Natural environment; Speleology

Hole or opening in the bottom or side of a depression where a surface stream or lake flows either partially or completely underground into the karst ground-water system.