This video segment adapted from NOVA chronicles the discoveries that led to a radical new theory in which living organisms, not just geological processes, play an active role in cave formation.
This video segment adapted from NOVA describes a simple experiment that confirmed the idea that microbes can accelerate the biogeochemical process of cave formation.
The GLOBE Cave Protocol Field Guide utilizes existing GLOBE protocols to explore an extreme environment. Caves provide an opportunity to utilize GLOBE protocols to investigate underground environments and compare them to surface environments. Outside the cave, students record elevation, MUC, latitude and longitude, air temperature, relative humidity and air pressure. Inside the cave, students record air temperature, relative humidity and air pressure as well as observe and describe cave features in each room. Students also note evidence of biological activity and human impact. If water is present inside the cave, students record water temperature and pH. Follow up questions are included in the Field Guide.
Micromorphology samples from the Upper Paleolithic cave site, Geissenklosterle, Germany. This cave site has important evidence about early Aurignacian / Upper Paleolithic occupation in Europe, including evidence for some of the earliest evidence for symbolic, artistic and musical expression in Europe.
Micromorphology samples from Mousterian, Kebaran, Natufian, and Byzantine contexts at Hayonim, Israel. This cave site has important evidence about prehistoric human occupation in the Levant. Its sequence helps document major transitions in the region, including human origins and the origins of agriculture.
explores a cave in southwestern Kentucky that, with more than 345 miles of explored passageways, is the longest cave in the world.
This interactive resource adapted from The Virtual Cave by Dave Bunnell, presents images of various features found in solution caves and includes detailed information on how these features are formed and where they occur.
