Prevalence of Digital Survey Tools in Cave Surveying?

[wvcaveman]

Hi All,

This is a questionnaire on use of digital survey tools in cave surveying:
http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurv ... wc52464237

Based on the efforts of many cavers over the past few decades, digital survey tools have seen increasing use for underground surveying. A number of cavers have been working in this area for some time. For example, in the 1980s Frank Reid evaluated the use of a LIDAR device for positioning caves and in 1986 John Ganter wrote on use of a "Petro-Sonde" for finding passages in a Texas cave from the surface. Through the 1990s, cave-mapping software became more and more sophisticated: see work by David Mckenzie, Luc Le Blanc, Stacho Mudrak, Martin Budaj, Gary Petrie, Larry Fish, and many more. Radio-location techniques were practiced and perfected by Frank Reid, Brian Pease, and others. Impressive 3D laser-mapping tools were used by expeditions to generate multiple and realistic cross-sections of Florida sinkholes. Many, including Mark Passerby, have worked extensively on the process of using advanced/digital survey tools and have recommended procedures for effectively doing so. Others, like Phil Underwood (Shetland Attack Pony), have developed cave-specific surveying tools. Recently, Aaron Addison and Lynn Brucker have evaluated and used the Impulse and Attack Pony digital survey devices and written about their experiences. There are many others who have used high-tech tools for underground cave surveying. However, through all this use of high-tech equipment, most surveyors have continued to rely on the tried and true Suunto compass/clinometer and a fiberglass survey tape.

Some feel that this may change someday, and we're wondering if it isn't already happening. So, we're trying to determine how prevalent the use of digital survey instruments is in current cave surveying. If you could, please take a couple of minutes to fill out this short questionnaire on digital survey tools. The results of this questionnaire will be shared in a comprehensive presentation on digital survey tools at the 2008 NSS Convention in Lake City, Florida, USA in August 2008 and in a paper to be distributed after the NSS convention. We hope you will take just a minute to fill out the questionnaire and share your experience and feedback on cave surveying.

http://FreeOnlineSurveys.com/rendersurv ... wc52464237

Finally, we're not subscribed to all of the caving-related email groups so please forward the URL as you are able.

thanks!
Aaron Bird
Rachel Bosch
David Riggs