by chac » Dec 3, 2017 5:10 pm
Kscaver22,
I think GroundQuest has supplied the best answers. You can always create your own symbols as long as you include a legend of symbols for your map. There is actually a shelf symbol used by some cartographers. It looks just like the drip line symbol(s) however the base line to the perpendicular line is much shorter. Imagine a "+" symbol missing one of the four stubs. This symbol points a shorter stub "out" into the cave room/passage. The drip line symbol has a much longer base line, and the short stub points into the cave. The drip line symbol is also on the outer edge of cave passage (the entrance). If you have a karst window in a cave, there is another symbol that can be used.
The dirt, mud, clay symbol often appears as a series of dashed lines. Experiment if the symbol seems ponderous in your map. Delete a few of the dashed line components to make it more of a random pattern.
I see other cartographers using the shelf symbol now and again. I have used this same symbol sparingly before. Personally I find the symbol confusing due to the empty space it encloses in the plan view. So create a passage cross-section through your shelf symbol. This highlights the information you want to impart. Plan on and use cross-sections to your advantage.
There are many organizations that offer suggestions for official or recognized cave map symbology. The NSS, AMCS and the UIS all have lists of symbols to improve or standardize cave map cartography. I believe Therion comes with cave symbols built ino the program. Therion uses European map symbols, not that there is anything wrong with that. There are also cave clubs in Europe and Mexico that have their own list of cave cartography symbols.
There is a warren of "cave symbols" out there! Construct your cave symbol legend and have at it.
Jim
Jim Coke