Navigating the NSS website...?

[evanrobinson1985]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone could tell me the best way to navigate the NSS website..? I am trying to find all the research papers for the caves and karst of my area in Hernando, Citrus counties, and beyond, but i am having trouble locating them. is there a secret trick to it..? :-p also I am trying to find out the best elevations to search for undiscovered caves. Any info would be GREATLY appreciated.

[Alex Sproul]

Hi, Evan --

If you're looking for research papers, you need to be looking in the Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (JCKS), formerly the NSS Bulletin. Although it's in the works, we don't yet have copies of either in the Publications section of caves.org. Further, our search engine is not presently working properly.

However, the good news is that all of those publications have been archived by the Karst Information Portal (KIP)http://www.karstportal.org/, and all are completely searchable.

As for the best elevations to search for caves, there's really no right answer -- they're everywhere. Perhaps the best way is to pore over topo maps, looking for intermittant streams. That indicates they go underground, possible via a humanly traversible opening. But while these can occur at any elevation, the watercourse generally winds up at the valley floor as a resurgence. Another feature to look for, either on maps or in the field, are sinkholes, which are evidence of collapsed cave passage. Maybe there's an open entrance to the passage there, or somewhere, or maybe you'll have to dig your own.

Since organized caving has been popular in the US for nearly 75 years (since adequate light was available), it's fair to say that all the obvious cave openings have likely been found, and new cave will require more scientific methods of discovery, and a lot of elbow grease.

Happy Hunting!

Alex

[evanrobinson1985]

Thank you very much. I was getting discouraged while looking for the research papers yesterday. I'm off to Dahlonega, GA next. So maybe i will have some luck there.

[Chads93GT]

Study geology maps. Not elevation detail.

[GroundquestMSA]

Study both kinds of maps. Geological maps are good for showing you where not to waste your time, and for identifying broad areas of interest. Knowing that the NW corner of Hernando County is ocala limestone, for instance, may be helpful. Using a topo to compare the elevations of and topography surrounding known caves will help you find specific areas within the region of interest that are similar and may have more caves. In my county, for example, about half of the cave entrances sit at an elevation of 800', in hilltop sinks.

Sometimes caves are obvious on the topo. I have located two VA caves that are not listed in the state survey just by looking at Google maps.

[evanrobinson1985]

Thank you both.

GroundquestMSA, That makes perfect sense. where would i find a geological map from.?

[boogercaver71]

Thank you both.

GroundquestMSA, That makes perfect sense. where would i find a geological map from.?

Most if not all states have geological department (many call them Surveys) , and have geologic maps for sale (some states like Kentucky) have them online for free. They are also usually based on a 7.5 min quadrangle map with the topo lines in the background. These state surveys also are a good source for research papers on Karst and groundwater hydrology, and can give you an idea which formations contain most of the caves.

[GroundquestMSA]

Maybe these will help:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/gisdatamaps/county_maps.htm