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You'll be amazed how many different caves are in your backyard, and you'd want to know what to expect before venturing and exploring it for yourself. Not only that, you'll find out much more that is quite intriguing about caves. If you want to know what it is that makes up a cave, get this guide. Contrary to popular belief, there are living animals that reside where the sunlight does not touch and how simply made or delicate they may be. I understand this is a simple review in comparison to others, in truth here is the reality behind the science. Included in this book are facts about cave biology, chemistry of the cave, geological assessments that grandly improve your knowledge of the world of caves. Don't believe me.
There is also a section about the many cave dwelling micro-organisms, troglobites, and vertebrates. There is a table provided that lists the secondary minerals found in limestone caves and the caves they can be found in. You will also learn about cave temperatures, relative humidity, and how different karst formations are related to the nature and distribution of the soil in different climatic zones. This book explains the geology and biology of caves, and how they have been used by human beings. It explains their evolution, adaptation to the cave environment, and how they fit into the food chain. They examine scallop formations, carbon dioxide content, calcite solubility and other factors. The authors explain the details very well, drawing upon lots of interesting examples of caves from around the world and providing useful illustrations, charts, and photographs throughout the book.In the section on limestone formations, they explain why most limestone caves have been formed by slowly moving water in a thin horizontal zone directly below the water table. (Sandstone caves, sea caves and lava tubes are covered just briefly).There is some good coverage about water movement through caves, the growth of speleotherms, and how to date caves and cave deposits.
This book was written many years ago, and much has been added to our knowledge of caves. Caving is a very young science. Every serious caver starts with this book, though. This book is the classic introduction to cave sciences. Written for the lay person, but with plenty of scientific specifics.
Open to the Public, Index. Main sections are: Caves as Natural Laboratories, Origin of Caves, Characteristics of the Underground Atmosphere, Growth of Stalactites and Other Speleothems, Behavior and Products of Cave Microorganisms, Habits of Cave Animals, Evolution of Blind Cave Animals, Uses of Caves, References and Related Readings, Caves in the U.S. They have spent a lifetime studying and exploring caves, and write about the subject with style and authority.
It is easy to read, yet introduces cave science (Speleology) in a clear and logical way. You will find answers to questions like how caves are formed, why some caves breathe in and out, how stalactites and stalagmites develop, what kind of animals live in caves, and why some cave animals are blind. Anyone interested in learning more about caves will want this book.
The authors were pioneers in modern cave research. David McClurg, author of Adventure of Caving, a how-to book on cave exploration. Even a layman like me can understand it.
It is beautifully illustrated with detailed diagrams and striking drawings.Both cave geology and cave biology are covered.
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