Cave Exploration Research Articles

Implementasi Geointerpretasi berbasis Kearifan Lokal di Destinasi Wisata Minat Khusus Gua Cerme, Bantul, Yogyakarta

One of the Gunung Sewu Geopark's three main pillars, geointerpretation of landscape duality, is implemented by special interest tour guides who possess the knowledge and abilities necessary for the job site and who must be proficient in cave exploration methods and cave science. With the primary tourist attraction being a cave with a tunnel length of 1200 meters and an underground river, this study was conducted at the Cerme Cave Tourist Destination, specifically in Srunggo Village, Imogiri District, Bantul Regency, to observe how the Pokdarwis Cerme tour guide implements interpretation in tourism spaces. The research was conducted utilizing a logical approach and qualitative approaches. Data gathering methods included cave and surface area mapping, cave photography, participant observation, and semi-structured interviews. The research findings show that there are two tourism spatial zonings that are related to the content of geointerpretation, and the second finding is interpretation activities of geological objects that are mixed with local wisdom through the story of the spread of Islam by the Wali Songo in Cerme, which is believed to have occurred in the past by the local community. This tale has been passed down through generations and is part of the material given to guests by Cerme Cave tour guides. These beliefs impact the destination's toponymy, ornaments and places within the cave, as well as geointerpretation activities carried out in the Cerme Cave Tourist Destination's dual landscape.

‘Into the darkness’ – The caving community and their tourist experiences. The Polish case

Descent into the underground requires from explorers not only a high level of physical endurance, technical skills, and ability to use specialized equipment, but also psychological adaptation to severe cave conditions: the darkness, the coldness, and the unknown. The paper focuses on mental states and emotions that accompany cave descents at every stage of the tourist experience. The study examines cavers' tourist motivations as well as perceived benefits of this kind of physical activity. The research aims at the Polish caving community. The study indicates that participation in cave exploration for respondents undertaking cave challenges outside of regular tourism is generally the result of a combination of equally strong factors, rather than a single dominant motivation. The benefits of cave exploration are inwardly directed, those related to creating one’s external image were of marginal importance among survey respondents. A state of ‘focus and concentration’ accompanies cavers during almost the entire stay in cave what not lessen a sense of overall satisfaction, joy, and excitation. To some extent, anxiety, anger, and rarely fear, shape the cave tourist experience. Management implicationsThe tourism product of any kinds of tourism should meet the expectations and needs of their participants. Dedicated speleotourists visiting sites outside mass tourism in popular show caves are leading by the complex of motivations typical for tourism as such. However, in the study analysed, the search for beauty and aesthetic impressions next to experiencing the unknown and novelty are explicitly significant motivators for cave exploration, even more important than looking for sport challenges and physical effort. This observation underlines cognitive and emotional meaning, not only sport character of cave exploration.The research might suggest the general direction in preparation of the offer for dedicated cave tourists: they do not require the creation of new infrastructure (e.g. in terms of cave accessibility) or provision of new amenities, but possibilities of the improvement of technical skills, while enjoying the beauty of the caves, with maintaining a balance between commercialization and the sense of uniqueness and exclusivity of the product.As pristine and unexplored caves constitute a ‘non-renewable resource,’ thus there is a need for redefinition of ‘the unknown’ and ‘the new’ concepts in cave tourism practiced by dedicated cave tourists (far beyond the geographical sense). The result of this procedure might help meet the expectations of dedicated cave tourists toward their tourist experiences and the attractiveness of sites.The explorations of dedicated cave tourists occur outside or on the fringes of tourism. To include them in the mainstream of broader tourism, it is necessary to find a balance between commercialization and the uniqueness and exclusivity of the product. The latter should provide satisfaction both in the area of physical well-being and the emotional sphere (sense of community, strengthening bonds).The study revealed the literature gap in terms of existential authenticity and the recognition of aesthetic and bodily experiences in cave tourism outside of popular show caves.

Robotic exploration of Martian caves: Evaluating operational concepts through analog experiments in lava tubes

Caves on Mars are a tantalizing target for exploration, as they could harbor evidence of extinct or extant life, clues to the planet’s geological history, and even potential future human habitation. However, the inherent challenges of navigating unknown and challenging terrain, coupled with limited communication capabilities, pose significant obstacles for robotic exploration in these caves. This paper presents the results of an effort to evaluate different operational concepts for a mission dedicated to exploration of caves on Mars. We conducted a series of analog exploration experiments in lava tubes on Earth, testing two hypotheses: (1) that two robots are more effective than one, and (2) that high levels of autonomy are more effective than low levels of autonomy. Our findings suggest that two robots are indeed more effective, except in low autonomy cases, where more operational resources are required. We also found that full autonomy is more efficient than low autonomy, as it enables quicker exploration and detection of targets of interest. However, the low autonomy cases benefited from the operator input to acquire higher quality data, an area of autonomy requiring further development. This paper provides insight into the design of our experiments, as well as detailing the results and implications for the design of future missions to explore caves on Mars. By shedding light on the operational concepts tested and their corresponding outcomes, we contribute to the knowledge base required to formulate optimal strategies for the realization of successful cave exploration missions on the Red Planet.

Film, fotografie, feit en fictie in het Pollino-gebergte (Zuid-Italië)

Film, photography, fact and fiction in the Pollino Mountains (Southern Italy)The film “Il Buco” (The Hole, 2022) by Michelangelo Frammartino is about a speleological expedition in the Pollino mountains (northern Calabria, Italy) in 1961. It won the Special Jury Award at the 2022 Venice Film Festival and received excellent reviews in the Dutch press (Volkskrant, Trouw, NRC, VPRO Cinema). In the film, an old shepherd at the end of his life observes a group of speleologists exploring an exceptionally deep cave. The shepherd dies just as the speleologists discover the end of the cave. To situate the death scene, Frammartino reconstructed a typical shepherd’s dwelling used in the days when the transhumance summer camps in the Pollino mountains were still used as shepherds’ summer dwellings. Frammartino based the reconstruction on black-and-white pictures from the archive of Giuseppe De Matteis, a speleologist from Turin, who took part in the expedition. De Matteis took several photographs of such shepherd´s dwellings during the period of the cave exploration, especially at the site of Mandra Vecchia, which is now part of the field study area of the Pollino Archaeological Landscape Project (PALP), led by the authors since 2020. These shepherds’ huts were made of wooden poles and planks and reinforced at ground level with limestone blocks. Other pastoral facilities, such as animal pens and sheds for cheesemaking, were located nearby. Archaeological research on the remains of these summer camps, combined with interviews, is beginning to reveal everyday life in Pollino summer camps. In this paper we bring together fact and fiction based on Frammartino’s documentary from 2021, Giuseppe De Matteis´ photo archive from the 1960s and our own fieldwork in the area.

A Novel 3D Reconstruction Sensor Using a Diving Lamp and a Camera for Underwater Cave Exploration.

Aquifer karstic structures, due to their complex nature, present significant challenges in accurately mapping their intricate features. Traditional methods often rely on invasive techniques or sophisticated equipment, limiting accessibility and feasibility. In this paper, a new approach is proposed for a non-invasive, low-cost 3D reconstruction using a camera that observes the light projection of a simple diving lamp. The method capitalizes on the principles of structured light, leveraging the projection of light contours onto the karstic surfaces. By capturing the resultant light patterns with a camera, three-dimensional representations of the structures are reconstructed. The simplicity and portability of the equipment required make this method highly versatile, enabling deployment in diverse underwater environments. This approach is validated through extensive field experiments conducted in various aquifer karstic settings. The results demonstrate the efficacy of this method in accurately delineating intricate karstic features with remarkable detail and resolution. Furthermore, the non-destructive nature of this technique minimizes disturbance to delicate aquatic ecosystems while providing valuable insights into the subterranean landscape. This innovative methodology not only offers a cost-effective and non-invasive means of mapping aquifer karstic structures but also opens avenues for comprehensive environmental monitoring and resource management. Its potential applications span hydrogeological studies, environmental conservation efforts, and sustainable water resource management practices in karstic terrains worldwide.

Towards field deployment of MAVs in adaptive exploration of GPS-denied subterranean environments

Exploration and safe navigation in previously unknown GPS-denied obstructed areas are major challenges for autonomous robots when deployed in subterranean environments. In response, this work establishes an Exploration-Planning framework developed for the real-world deployment of Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) in subterranean exploration missions. The fundamental task for an autonomous MAV to navigate in an unknown area, is to decide where to look while navigating such that the MAV will acquire more information about the surrounding. The work presented in this article focuses around 3D exploration of large-scale caves or multi-branched tunnel like structures, while still prioritizing the Look-Ahead and Move-Forward approach for fast navigation in previously unknown areas. In order to achieve such exploration behaviour, the proposed work utilizes a two-layer navigation approach. The first layer deals with computing traversable frontiers to generate the look ahead poses in the constrained field of view, aligned with the MAV’s heading vector that leads to rapid continuous exploration. The proposed frontier distribution based switching goal selection approach allows the MAV to explore various terrains, while still regulating the MAV’s heading vector. The second layer of the proposed scheme deals with global cost based navigation of the MAV to the potential junction in a multi-branched tunnel system leading to a continuous exploration of partially seen areas. The proposed framework is a combination of a novel frontier goal selection approach, risk-aware expandable grid based path planning, nonlinear model predictive control and artificial potential fields based on local reactive navigation, obstacle avoidance, and control for the autonomous deployment of MAVs in extreme environments.

What`s crawling in the dark? An annotated list of gastropods in Greek caves

Greece is covered by a high percentage of carbonate rocks, resulting in a significant number of over 10,000 caves within its territory. Their fauna is not well known. Concerning gastropods, 68 terrestrial species have been reported from 70 caves. In this study, we contribute to the knowledge of the snails inhabiting Greek caves. We analyzed the literature and studied all the material deposited in the Natural History Museum of Crete, to create a first comprehensive list of gastropods of Greek caves. The number of caves from which gastropod species were reported increased to 182, while the number of known terrestrial species increased to 113. Fourteen of these species live only in caves, twelve of which are endemic of Greece. However, the fauna of Greek caves is still understudied. With the increasing exploration of Greek caves, the number of the known cave-dwelling gastropod species will increase and new species will be discovered.

3d model of Medova cave, Lviv

The purpose of this article is to present and provide a detailed analysis of the 3D model of the Medova Cave in Lviv, created using laser scanning technology. The main objectives include revealing the accuracy and detailing the obtained model, as well as determining its potential applications in various fields such as geological research, scientific exploration, cultural heritage, and tourism. Additionally, the article aims to emphasize the importance and advantages of using laser scanning for creating precise and realistic 3D cave models, opening new possibilities for the study and preservation of natural unique formations. Method. The article describes the methodology used to create a 3D model of the Medova Cave, which involves several key steps. Firstly, a thorough reconnaissance of the cave is conducted to identify technical and logistical aspects such as temperature, humidity, movement restrictions, and lighting that are necessary for the scan. Next, ground-based laser scanning is employed, proving effective in conditions of complete darkness and limited space, to ensure accurate data collection regarding the cave's geometry. Reflective markers are strategically placed inside the cave before scanning, facilitating efficient scanning and alignment of scans. Specialized equipment such as GNSS receivers (Trimble R7) and ground-based laser scanners (Faro Focus 3D 120) are utilized for data collection. Software tools like Faro Scene are used for stitching together scans into a unified 3D point cloud model during data processing. Finally, the accuracy of marker connections is analyzed to ensure high-quality registration, and the 3D model is constructed. Detailed 3D models, including textured models and cross-sections for visualizing the internal structure of the cave, were constructed using software such as Move. Results. The research on the Medova Cave, employing ground-based laser scanning, yielded an accurate and detailed 3D model of the cave. This model opens new perspectives for geological and geomorphological studies, tourism development, and cultural heritage preservation. The use of advanced scanning technologies allowed for a comprehensive representation of the cave's geometric features, considering its complex structure and varied dimensions. Scientific novelty and practical significance. The creation of the 3D model of the Medova cave using laser scanning signifies progress in cave geometry studies. The innovation lies in the utilization of advanced laser scanning technologies to ensure a detailed representation of the cave's geometric features, accounting for its complex structure and diverse dimensions. The novelty also lies in the development of a data collection and processing strategy in conditions of complete darkness and limited cave space, resulting in an accurate and realistic 3D model. Practically, the 3D model of the Medova Cave serves as a crucial tool for geological and geomorphological research and the exploration of unique natural formations. The model opens new opportunities for tourism development, where virtual cave exploration can provide a unique experience for visitors. Creating this 3D model is a significant step in preserving and documenting cultural heritage, contributing to the scientific and cultural development of the region, and providing access to unique objects for researchers and the public.

From niches to regime: sustainability transitions in a diverse tourism destination

Until the end of WW2, the Margaret River region (MRR) was a popular domestic destination based on cave explorations. A series of incremental innovations between the 1950s and 1990s reconfigured the destination into a thriving international tourism destination that offers diverse experiences based on wine, surf, and nature. Nonetheless, contemporary external and internal forces are stimulating another shift – one towards sustainability. Apart from the global pro-sustainability agenda, this sustainability transition in tourism is mainly driven by two emerging niches: eco-accreditation and grassroots organisations. This paper adopts the multilevel perspective (MLP) – a commonly adopted framework in the sustainability transitions research field – and combines it with a typology of tourism innovation to examine the evolution of the MRR as a tourist destination. The paper addresses the ongoing sustainability transition in the MRR and discusses both top-down and bottom-up initiatives that stimulate it. In order to provide a holistic view of this transition, the paper also pays attention to the first transition in the destination (i.e. from caves to wine, surf, and nature), and examines its influence on the ongoing sustainability transition. As such, this paper aims to help bridge the gap between tourism geography and the interdisciplinary field of sustainability transitions.

Questioning the monophyly of Anthroherponina (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Cholevinae: Leptodirini) and description of three new, ecologically ultraspecialized subterranean species

Abstract The beetle subtribe Anthroherponina (Coleoptera: Leiodidae), including also ecologically specialized and semi-aquatic hygropetricolous genera, presents one of the most illustrative examples of morphological variability in cave-adapted animals. However, phylogenetic relations within the tribe remain dubious. Recent exploration of deep-phreatic caves of the Western Balkans Dinaric Karst enabled us to collect all known Anthroherponina genera and access new populations of hygropetricolous beetles, representatives of the iconic Hadesia and elusive Nauticiella. We studied the taxonomic structure of newly collected semi-aquatic beetle populations by using traditional morphology and deploying uni- and multilocus molecular species delimitation. In addition, we tested the monophyly of the subtribe Anthroherponina and set the group’s evolutionary development into a palaeogeographic context by reconstructing a multilocus calibrated phylogeny. As a result, three new species of specialized semi-aquatic beetles are described. The morphologically based monophyly of Anthroherponina was shown to be an artefact of evolutionary convergences, while the evolutionary development of the monophylum seems to be paired with the orogeny of the Dinarides. Finally, the new results raise more questions about our understanding of evolution in subterranean beetles and their adaptation to special ecological niches.

An attempt to identify source areas of clastic deposits from selected caves of the Prokletije Mountains (Montenegro): a mineralogical and U-series geochemistry approach

The Prokletije Mountains/Albanian Alps are the highest part of the Dinaric Mountains. Paradoxically, these mountains and their cave areas remain among the most enigmatic in Europe, having only recently become subjects of scientific research and cave exploration. This paper focuses on the Kolata and Greben massifs, where the highest, and thus the oldest, cave systems are located. Through the analysis of heavy mineral composition, the apatite-tourmaline index, and cluster analysis for mineralogical composition and uranium isotopic data, it becomes possible to identify the source areas for the cave clastic deposits. It also allow to distinguish multiple paleoflow directions, each corresponding to different stages of cave development. The older paleoflow was probably from south to north, whereas the younger one is inferred to have flown from east to west. The change in the paleodirection of sediment transportation was probably caused by Neogene tectonic movements. In the later period, because of the subsequent uplift of the Prokletije Mts. and their fragmentation into individual massifs, the transport to the caves was local and related to deglaciations. The deposition of the speleothem from the oldest caves of the Prokletije Mts. took place in the periods c. 381 and 308 ka (MIS 11 and MIS 9), which suggests that these levels had already passed from the phreatic to the vadose stage. Considering the morphology of the caves studied, we believe that these caves may have begun to form at least in the Middle Pleistocene. There are two generations of younger speleothems first at 163 ± 4 ka (MIS 6) and second from 92 ± 2 to 39.4 ± 2 ka (Weichselian age).

Integrated Conceptual Design and Parametric Control Assessment for a Hybrid Mobility Lunar Hopper

The lunar lava tubes are envisioned as possible hosting structures for a human base in the Moon’s equatorial regions, providing shelter from radiations, micrometeoroids, and temperature excursion. A first robotic mission is set to scout the habitability of these underground architectures in the near future. The communication inside these underground tunnels is heavily constrained; hence, the scouting system should rely on a high degree of autonomy. At the same time, the exploration system may encounter different types of terrain, requiring an adaptable mobility subsystem able to travel fast on basaltic terrain while avoiding considerable obstacles. This paper presents a cave explorer’s mission study and preliminary sizing targeting the lunar lava tubes. The study proposes using a hybrid mobility system with wheels and thrusters to navigate smoothly inside the lava tubes. The peculiar mobility system of the cave explorer requires an accurate study of the adaptability of its control capabilities with the change of mass for a given set of sensors and actuators. The combination of conceptual design techniques and control assessment gives the engineer a clear indication of the feasible design box for the studied system during the initial formulation phases of a mission. This first part of the study focuses on framing the stakeholders’ needs and identifying the required capabilities of the cave explorer. Furthermore, the study focuses on assessing a design box in terms of mass and power consumption for the cave explorer. Following different mission-level assessments, a more detailed design of the cave explorer is discussed, providing an initial design in terms of mass and power consumption. Finally, the objective shifts toward studying the performances of the guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms varying the mass of the cave explorer. The GNC significantly impacts the design box of the surface planetary system. Hence, investigating its limitations can indicate the feasibility of mass growth to accommodate, for example, more payload.

Székelyföldi barlangok értékelése turisztikai hasznosíthatóságuk szemszögéből

Speleology and caving are becoming increasingly popular activities these days, with a high number of visitors flocking to these mysterious but breathtaking natural wonders. However, cave exploration and research is not as popular and the number of people interested in such researches seems to be decreasing. The aim of the research was to evaluate the touristic potential of ten selected caves in Szeklerland. The caves were studied based on several criteria, using quantitative SWOT analysis, to find out which caves could be developed for tourism and included in the tourism circuit, and which ones had a low appeal as a natural resource and were not worth investing time and energy into their touristic development.

Study of Physics Concepts in Cave Exploration Activities to Develop Physics Edupark Digital Book for Senior High School Students

Even though the concept of physics is very important in daily activities, the cave exploration activities (caver and or cave tourists) are not based on of physics concepts. In addition, the teachers do not realize that through caves and it exploration activities can be used to learn the physics concepts. This research aims to study the physics concepts in caving activities where it used to develop of physics edupark digital books for senior high school students. This is preliminary research that part of research and development method by using the Plomp model where the study consists of teacher, student, and material potential analysis. This study has been resulting that many concepts while cave exploration activities. It can be used to lean the physics concepts then developing an Edupark physics digital enrichment book as a demand of the Merdeka’s Curriculum. The learning activities growth from the abilities of students who emphasize contextual learning where the students building meaningful understanding through learning and optimizing technology in learning

Exploring the Caves of Armenia by the First Official U.S. Caving Expedition (2007-2013)

The first U.S. caving expedition to Armenia, the South Caucasus, by NSS cavers took place in August 2007. Subsequent expeditions took place in 2010, 2011, and 2013, with additional trips planned for the future. The goal is the exploration and photo-documentation of the caves of Armenia, and to increase awareness of its underground realms. Although, in the past, there had been a few known caving expeditions to Armenia, overall little information existed. In addition, Armenia’s local caving community is small in number. As a result, this topic was studied and the first official US caving expedition to Armenia was organized in 2007. During the first expedition, four of Armenia’s significant natural caves were explored in the province of Vayots Dzor: Mozrov Cave, Arjeri Cave (Cave of the Bears), Mageli Cave, and Karmir Cave (Red Cave). Man-made caves were also visited. Subsequent trips to Armenia in 2010, 2011, and 2013 included (1) further exploration of Mozrov, Arjeri, and Mageli caves, (2) a cave trip to the neighboring independent Armenian Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh to explore Azokh Cave, and (3) the exploration of several caves in the northeast Armenian provinces of Tavush and Lori. Natural caves consisting of limestone, conglomerate, and lava were explored during these expeditions. Also, a number of man-made caves were visited, some of which were used as churches in centuries past. This article summarizes the four expeditions and discusses both the natural and man-made caves of Armenia. I beleive the article will be interesting to builders, gas pipelines and road engineers. In practice, it can be used by travel agencies and individual tourists, as well as by all lovers of underground monuments of nature and culture.

Exploring the Hidden Depths: Speleotourism and Cave Exploration in Boisun District, Uzbekistan

This scientific article presents an overview of speleotourism and cave exploration opportunities in Boisun District, Uzbekistan. The study aims to highlight the unique natural objects, such as Teshik Stone Cave, Boy Bulak Cave, Dark Star Cave, and Khoja Gur Gur Ota, along with their distinctive characteristics. The article discusses the organization of speleological expeditions, cave routes in sports tourism, and the equipment required for cave exploration. The methods employed include cave surveys, expeditions, and documentation of cave characteristics. The results reveal fascinating details about the caves, including their geological features, underwater lakes, intricate passages, and historical significance. Implications of these findings emphasize the potential for further research, conservation efforts, and the development of sustainable speleotourism in Boisun District, offering unique opportunities for adventure seekers and scientists alike.Highlights:
 
 
 
 
 Speleotourism in Boisun District: Explore the thrilling world of caves and engage in speleotourism activities in the captivating Boisun District of Uzbekistan.
 Unique Natural Objects: Discover the fascinating natural objects of Boisun District, including Teshik Stone Cave, Boy Bulak Cave, Dark Star Cave, and Khoja Gur Gur Ota, each offering distinct geological features and historical significance.
 Opportunities for Adventure and Research: Embark on speleological expeditions, uncover hidden depths, and contribute to the exploration and documentation of these caves, presenting opportunities for adventure enthusiasts and scientific researchers.
 
 Keywords: Speleotourism, Cave exploration, Boisun District, Uzbekistan, Natural objects
 
 

THE USE OF SLAM AND UAV TECHNOLOGY IN GEOLOGICAL FIELD FOR MONITORING: THE CASE STUDY OF THE BOSSEA CAVE

Abstract. The geomatics survey in the speleological field is one of the main activities that allows adding a scientific and informative value to the exploration of caves and is of fundamental importance to have a detailed knowledge of the hypogean cavity: only thanks to the reconstruction of the three-dimensional environment through range-based techniques, are possible orientation, inland navigation, lithological understanding, as well as a better organization of the exploration of the cave itself. This work describes the surveys made in the Bossea Cave, in the province of Cuneo (NW, Italy), considered among the most suggestive and geologically interesting in Europe because they also have an underground karst laboratory managed by the Scientific Station of Bossea (CAI of Cuneo) and the Department of Environment, Land, and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI) of the Politecnico di Torino, with the collaboration of the department of Cuneo of ARPA Piemonte and the Radiation Section of ARPA Valle d'Aosta. The survey activities described below have been concentrated both on the internal environment and the mountainside above the cave. The work presents the analytical measuring principle of the portable rapid mapping system, and it is dedicated to analysing the performances of this instrument in terms of the accuracy and completeness of 3D point clouds generated. The proposed validation method follows the assessment of point cloud deviation between data based on SLAM technology and 3D point clouds obtained from a terrestrial LiDAR system. The trajectory covered about 1km, with a height difference of about 120m, reaching differences between SLAM and LiDAR sensors of about 15 cm in the plan and 22 cm on the vertical component.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF GUA PELANGI, JELEBU, NEGERI SEMBILAN, MALAYSIA: ITS POTENTIAL AS A HERITAGE TOURISM SITE

Archaeological studies conducted in Gua Pelangi, Negeri Sembilan have been able to find an early civilization aged between 14,000 to 9,000 thousand years ago which was used as a shelter from hot rain and wild animals, in addition to making stone tools and food preparation. The interpretation was based on the findings of 299 lithic artifacts, 52,929 faunal remains and evidence of burning such as ash, charcoal and burning sediments that are still in situ have been recorded. This site is also used as a workshop for the manufacture of stone tools with the presence of hammer stone, cores, anvil, flake, chopper and debitage. Analysis of the fauna remains found clearly shows that this community hunts and collects terrestrial, arboreal/semi-arboreal and aquatic/semi-aquatic vertebrate animals and mollusk shells. Based on the scientific evidence, ecotourism activities involving cave exploration, pioneering and jungle trekking, camping, limestone hill climbing, cooking demonstrations in the forest and visits to local community villages have been carried out. This shows that efforts to develop Gua Pelangi into a tourism product have begun and this is able to develop the economy of the local community in the area.

Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration.

Nearly half a century ago, two papers postulated the likelihood of lunar lava tube caves using mathematical models. Today, armed with an array of orbiting and fly-by satellites and survey instrumentation, we have now acquired cave data across our solar system-including the identification of potential cave entrances on the Moon, Mars, and at least nine other planetary bodies. These discoveries gave rise to the study of planetary caves. To help advance this field, we leveraged the expertise of an interdisciplinary group to identify a strategy to explore caves beyond Earth. Focusing primarily on astrobiology, the cave environment, geology, robotics, instrumentation, and human exploration, our goal was to produce a framework to guide this subdiscipline through at least the next decade. To do this, we first assembled a list of 198 science and engineering questions. Then, through a series of social surveys, 114 scientists and engineers winnowed down the list to the top 53 highest priority questions. This exercise resulted in identifying emerging and crucial research areas that require robust development to ultimately support a robotic mission to a planetary cave-principally the Moon and/or Mars. With the necessary financial investment and institutional support, the research and technological development required to achieve these necessary advancements over the next decade are attainable. Subsequently, we will be positioned to robotically examine lunar caves and search for evidence of life within Martian caves; in turn, this will set the stage for human exploration and potential habitation of both the lunar and Martian subsurface.

Сохранение геологического материала и история открытий карстовых образований Печоро-Североуральского спелеологического района и прилегающих территорий

The paper describes the history of discovery and study of karst formations of the European North of Russia. More than 100 karst formations have been identified. The main periods in the history of exploration of caves and grottoes of the Pechora Urals are reflected. The first caves descriptions which were made by travellers and scientists in the 18th19th centuries are given. During that period the most famous caves were Uninskaya and Kaninskaya caves. The main karst formations were discovered and described at the beginning of the 20th century. Geologist V.N. Mamontov discovered 4 caves on the Pervokamennaya River. Systematic geological studies by V.A. Varsanofyeva in the Northern Urals allowed her to discover small karst formations in the upper reaches of the Pechora on the Ilych and Unya rivers. In 1960, B.I. Guslitzer discovered the largest cave in the Northern Urals — the Medvezhya Cave. Promising and little-studied areas of karst are the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, the Polar and Nether-Polar Urals, Pai-Hoi and Timan. Only a few small caves and grottoes are known on these territories. Most of the karst is located in specially protected areas. The caves are unique paleontological monuments of nature. The funds of the A.A. Chernov Geological Museum of the Institute of Geology contain 12 monographic collections of paleofaunistic material with a volume of more than 30 thousand storage units. The remains of vertebrate caves consist of bones of mammoth fauna and small mammals.