Speleology: Caves & the Cave Environment [Hardcover]

George W. Moore (Author), G. Nicholas Sullivan (Author), National Speleological Society (Corporate Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0939748460 | ISBN-13: 978-0939748464 | Publication Date: June 1997 | Edition: Revised

This newly-revised edition of a classic introduction to speleology covers the latest discoveries about the mysterious world of caves. Drs. Moore and Sullivan are among the founders of modern cave research. They present here the principles of speleology in language that anyone can understand. The authors show how cave processes involve biological as well as geological, chemical, and physical processes, and they examine such topics as the origin of caves, the structure of cave food chains, and the evolution of blind cave animals. The book was a selection of the Science Book Club and is widely used as a textbook in high schools and colleges.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Five stars. Anyone interested in learning about caves will want this book. It's easy to read, yet introduces cave science (speleology) in a clear and logical way. Even a layman like me can understand it. It's beautifully illustrated with detailed diagrams and striking drawings." -- David McClurg, NSS Special Publications

"This book fills an important slot in the literature; not a scientific textbook, rather it presents a wide variety of scientific concepts in a way that draws the reader in. It is the kind of book that gets a younger, or nontechnical, reader excited about science." -- Choice --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

George W. Moore, received his doctorate from Yale University in 1960 and has had a long career as a research geologist with the United States Geological Survey. He contributed to the development of the theory of plate tectonics and has published more than 170 papers in geology and speleology. Dr. Moore is a past-president of the National Speleological Society.

Nicholas Sullivan is a biospeleologist who has studied cave biota in 1,600 caves in over 100 countries. Dr. Sullivan is a past-president both of the National Speleological Society and of the Explorers Club. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Cave Books; Revised edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0939748460
• ISBN-13: 978-0939748464
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #569,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy to understand introduction to cave sciences, January 28, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Vallejo, Califonia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Speleology: Caves & the Cave Environment (Hardcover)

Anyone interested in learning more about caves will want this book. It is easy to read, yet introduces cave science (Speleology) in a clear and logical way. 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. 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. The authors were pioneers in modern cave research. They have spent a lifetime studying and exploring caves, and write about the subject with style and authority. 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. Open to the Public, Index. David McClurg, author of Adventure of Caving, a how-to book on cave exploration.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent, well-detailed introduction to caves, August 15, 2001

By 

Robin G. Sowton "rsowton" (Plano, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spelology Caves and the Cave Environment (Paperback)

This book explains the geology and biology of caves, and how they have been used by human beings. 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. They examine scallop formations, carbon dioxide content, calcite solubility and other factors. (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. 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.

There is also a section about the many cave dwelling micro-organisms, troglobites, and vertebrates. It explains their evolution, adaptation to the cave environment, and how they fit into the food chain.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to the Foundations of Cave Science, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Speleology: Caves & the Cave Environment (Hardcover)

This book is the classic introduction to cave sciences. Written for the lay person, but with plenty of scientific specifics. Caving is a very young science. This book was written many years ago, and much has been added to our knowledge of caves. Every serious caver starts with this book, though.