Looking for a speleologist to work with

Cave geology, biology, and similar topics. Also visit the NSS Biology Section, or the Cave Geology and Geography Section, or the NSS Paleontology Section.

Moderator: Moderators

Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby nathanroser » Dec 6, 2011 11:48 am

So I am a junior in college right now majoring in environmental science and doing a minor/concentration in earth science and hydrology. I am planning on graduating a semester early next December but have to do a senior research project. I would really like to do some research this summer on some cave or karst area in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, or Pennsylvania. I'm looking for someone to work with that I would be able to do some serious study with that is a bit more legitimate and official than the usual cavers going out to scoop and survey booty. Mainly so my college will think I'm actually doing research and not just caving. If anyone here is interested or knows someone who might be, PM me so I can start getting an idea of where I might do such a project.
User avatar
nathanroser
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 371
Joined: Feb 6, 2011 12:44 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY
Name: Nathan Roser
NSS #: 62848
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Syracuse University Outing Club
  

Re: Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby tncaver » Dec 6, 2011 5:36 pm

The Miriam Webster online dictionary has this to say:

Definition of SPELEOLOGY
: the scientific study or exploration of caves

Basically that covers a huge majority of organized cavers. Cavers who map caves, or even register caves with a state cave survey could be
considered speleologists. Too bad it doesn't pay better.
tncaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2642
Joined: May 17, 2007 7:03 pm
  

Re: Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby wyandottecaver » Dec 6, 2011 5:39 pm

*sometimes* it pays pretty good. Ask Merlin Tuttle :)
I'm not scared of the dark, it's the things IN the dark that make me nervous. :)
User avatar
wyandottecaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2902
Joined: Aug 24, 2007 8:44 pm
Location: Indiana
  

Re: Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby tncaver » Dec 6, 2011 7:03 pm

wyandottecaver wrote:*sometimes* it pays pretty good. Ask Merlin Tuttle :)


I consider Merlin Tuttle a bat biologist as opposed to a speleologist.
tncaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2642
Joined: May 17, 2007 7:03 pm
  

Re: Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby wyandottecaver » Dec 6, 2011 7:26 pm

hmm well if we restrict it to ONLY studying and exploring the cave itself, then we could still include a bunch of government cavers, and maybe the few cave explorers who opened show caves!
I'm not scared of the dark, it's the things IN the dark that make me nervous. :)
User avatar
wyandottecaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2902
Joined: Aug 24, 2007 8:44 pm
Location: Indiana
  

Re: Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby tncaver » Dec 6, 2011 7:34 pm

Technically, Merlin Tuttle would probably qualify as a Speleologist and a bat biologist. Merlin would be on the upper end of the scale. Making money for his work and specializing in bat studies. Most speleologists according to the Miriam Webster defintion, probably make no money doing what they love.
tncaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2642
Joined: May 17, 2007 7:03 pm
  

Re: Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby nathanroser » Dec 6, 2011 9:14 pm

Well to clarify things I was looking for something that would involve studying geology/hydrology of a cave system or systems, or karst area. But I would consider surveying and mapping caves to be speleology as well.
User avatar
nathanroser
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 371
Joined: Feb 6, 2011 12:44 pm
Location: Syracuse, NY
Name: Nathan Roser
NSS #: 62848
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Syracuse University Outing Club
  

Re: Looking for a speleologist to work with

Postby Roy Jameson » Dec 7, 2011 10:33 am

Have you read Art Palmer's book Cave Geology? Do you have anything in particular that interests you, based on caves you have visited?
Roy Jameson
New Poster
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Dec 7, 2011 10:19 am
NSS #: 14123
  


Return to Speleology Forum

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

cron