Most Popular Papers *
New evidence of mid-Pleistocene glaciations in the French Jura Mountains using debris flow deposits and U/Th dating of speleothems (Verneau karst network)
Margot Vivier, Stéphane Jaillet, Eglantine Husson, Edwige Pons Branchu, and Jean-Baptiste Charlier
- Debris deposits are associated with ancient fluvio-glacial flows of Rissian glaciation
- Laminated clay deposits indicate ancient flooding in the karst system
- Speleothems surround detrital deposits and link them to the Riss (MIS 8-6)
The dissolution and conversion of gypsum and anhydrite
Alexander Klimchouk
Non-destructive characterization of variously colored gypsum and aragonite/calcite speleothems from the Cigalère Cave (Ariège, France)
Martin Vlieghe, Johan Wouters, Gérald Fanuel, Jean-François Drion du Chapois, Anne Gallez, Stéphane Pire-Stevenne, Gaëtan Rochez, and Johan Yans
- Portable X-ray fluorescence allows non-destructive elemental analysis in the field
- Designated calibration greatly increases accuracy and reproducibility
- Detection of Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb, and Cu, responsible for the various colorations
- Metals and sulphate ions likely originate from the overlying Pb-Zn sulfide ores
Why the delay in recognizing terrestrial obligate cave species in the tropics?
Francis G. Howarth
- Several factors explain why the discovery of tropical troglobionts was delayed
- Temperature and humidity are major factors in defining troglobiont distribution
- Troglobionts evolve by an adaptive shift across a cave/surface ecotonal boundary
- Subterranean species and ecosystems are vulnerable and threatened by novel stressors
- Research in tropical caves has expanded our understanding of evolutionary ecology of cave life
The relationship between lineaments and cave passages in unfaulted gently-folded strata, Snail Shell Cave, central Tennessee, USA
Mark Abolins, Joseph Firkaly-Paciera, Blake King, Cris Ocasio-Valentin, Jackson Slighter, Teagan Sullivan, and Justin Whited
- Lineaments provide insights into cave passage trend at depths commonly-targeted in groundwater exploration
- When used together, structure contour maps and lineament maps reveal potential sites for water wells
- Findings apply to cratonic strata (dip<5o), lacking mapped macroscale faults
First report of a bat guano fire from a cave in Southeast Asia
Sopark Jantarit, Martin Ellis, Pruet Kalasuwan, Neeranuch Phusunti, Pimonsri Mittraparp-arthorn, Jiranan Pattano, Arnon Chukamnerd, Turdtun Tong-In, and Natthawut Khrueaaunruean
- First record of bat guano combustion in a tropical cave in Northern Thailand
- Physical parameters at the spontaneous combustion site were thoroughly analyzed
- Guano samples were tested for microbes to assess their role in fire generation
- Potential causes of bat guano fires in the area are identified and discussed
- Management implications for guano caves affected by fire are presented
A world review of fungi, yeasts, and slime molds in caves
Karen J. Vanderwolf, David Malloch, Donald F. McAlpine, and Graham J. Forbes
The taxonomy and origins of folia: a brief review
Donald G. Davis, Louise D. Hose, and Harvey R. DuChene
- All speleothems described as folia demonstrate a few common elements
- Cave folia are genetically associated with fluctuating environmental interfaces.
- Classic folia form by calcite accretion at water-surface interface during descending phases
- Authors recognize seven folia types according to the controlling interface
- Folia have been described as formed by calcite, mud, lava, halite, and sulfur
Siliciclastic cave or diamond mine? Multiapproach investigation in Igatu Village, Chapada Diamantina, northeastern Brazil
Raphael Parra, Ricardo G. F. de A. Pereira, Leonardo F. Vieira, and Rubson P. Maia
- Canal da Fumaça is a mined cave, preserving both natural and anthropogenic features
- Metasandstone karstification occurs mainly through phyllosilicate matrix dissolution
- Fracture planes and lithology variety guided the karstification processes
- Mining increased the dimensions of the cave, enlarging conduits and excavating new ones
- An evolution model was proposed, based on a significant data set
4D flow pattern of the longest cave in the Eastern Alps (Schönberg-Höhlensystem, Totes Gebirge)
Lukas Plan, Eva Kaminsky, Pauline Oberender, Clemens Tenreiter, and Maximilian Wimmer
- Speleogenesis of a 156 km long and 1061 m deep Alpine cave system is studied
- Arrangement of passages at two slightly inclined planes is confirmed as speleogenetic phases
- Morphological observations reveal a reversal of flow-direction through time
- According to current hydrological conditions, a dual flow is proposed
- Unlike other karst massifs in the NCA, sediments support autogenic recharge for Totes Gebirge
* Based on the average number of full-text downloads per day since the paper was posted.
» Updated as of 12/04/25.
