 Steve's Library of Articles
XI. Cave Exploration
WHY EXPLORE?
“You won’t know if you don’t go”. This famous quote by the author is the dogma for cave divers to search and discover new frontiers, to go where no human being has gone before (in most cases), to be the first to behold a unique underwater cave environment. There is not a more rewarding feeling than the thrill and excitement of finding and exploring a cave. The experience can give you a tingling sensation of excitement. It brings a new level of awareness.
Cave divers work very hard, often competing to have the opportunity to explore, to be the first in a pristine cave. The discovery can lead to an immense level of pride and exhilaration. It can also clash with resentment when the challenge of exploring a new cave crosses paths with other explorers. Respect and professionalism is the code of conduct as the most important goal of exploration is to learn more and share the information about the beautiful cave natural world.
WORD OF MOUTH
This is best source to find caves. Asking questions, listening to stories, rumors and hearsay from the local people can open paths. You will surprise
by asking the right questions how much information can land on your lap.
You would be very astounded how many times land owners who have sink holes or cenotes on their property that have sought cave divers and invite them to dive their body of water to answer questions about if there is an underwater cave, where is the water coming from and where is the water flowing to?
Friends, friends of friends, relatives, neighbors, and business owners are typical examples of how the word trickles out about potential underwater caves on someone’s piece of land. It is a matter of being at the right place and the right time to create the opportunity to dive a virgin underwater cave
Topographical Maps
A topographic map is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines in modern mapping, but historically using a variety of methods. Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and man-made features.
The Centre for Topographic Information provides this definition of a topographic map:
"A topographic map is a detailed and accurate graphic representation of cultural and natural features on the ground."
However, in the vernacular and day-to-day world, the representation of relief (contours) is popularly held to define the genre, such that even small-scale maps showing relief are commonly (and erroneously, in the technical sense) called "topographic." According to Cartographer's Kraak and Ormeling,
"Traditionally, the main division of maps is into topographic and thematic maps. Topographic maps supply a general image of the earth's surface: roads, rivers, buildings, often the nature of the vegetation, the relief and the names of the various mapped objects."
The study or discipline of topography, while interested in relief, is actually a much broader field of study which takes into account all natural and man made features of terrain.
The United States Geological Survey (or USGS), a civilian Federal agency, produces several national series of topographic maps which vary in scale and extent, with some wide gaps in coverage, notably the complete absence of 1:50,000 scale topographic maps or their equivalent. The largest (both in terms of scale and quantity) and best-known topographic series is the 7.5-minute, 1:24,000 scale, quadrangle, and a non-metric scale virtually unique to the United States. Each of these maps covers an area bounded by two lines of latitude and two lines of longitude spaced 7.5 minutes apart. Nearly 57,000 individual maps in this series cover the 48 contiguous states, Hawaii, U. S. territories, and areas of Alaska near Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Prudhoe Bay. The area covered by each map varies with the latitude of its represented location due to convergence of the meridians. At lower latitudes, near 30° north, a 7.5-minute quadrangle contains an area of about 64 square miles (166 km). At 49° north latitude, 49 square miles (127 km) are contained within a quadrangle of that size. As a unique non-metric map scale, the 1:24,000 scale naturally requires a separate and specialized romer scale for plotting map positions. In recent years, budget constraints have forced the USGS to rely on donations of time by civilian volunteers in an attempt to update its 7.5-minute topographic map series, and USGS stated outright in 2000 that the program was to be phased out in favor of their National Map (not to be confused with the National Atlas of the United States produced by the Department of the Interior, one of whose bureaus is USGS).
This valuable tool works within reason. The features of rivers, sinkholes, cenotes, lakes, swamps, and any landscape that depicts the possibilities of water drainage is illustrated to varying scales. By observing the surface contours and recognizing symbols can be productive. Always work with the most recent maps, as many are out dated.
Though not a true topographical map, many cave divers have used the FLORIDA Atlas & Gazetteer. It is a 128 page, softbound large booklet that divides the State of Florida into a row-by-row west to east, north to south sections. Because it is in an organized, easy to carry format this booklet can give the cave diver a solid foundation of where to find the springs and sinkholes of Florida that shows the highways, rivers and several geological references.
Google Earth
Google Earth displays satellite images of varying resolution of the Earth's surface, allowing users to visually see things like houses and cars from a bird's eye view. The degree of resolution available is based somewhat on the points of interest, but most land (except for some islands) is covered in at least 15 meters of resolution. Google Earth allows users to search for addresses for some countries, enter coordinates, or simply use the mouse to browse to a location.
Google Earth also uses digital elevation model (DEM) data collected by NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). This means one can view the Grand Canyon or Mount Everest in three dimensions, instead of 2D like other map programs/sites. Since November 2006, the 3D views of many mountains, including Mount Everest, have been improved by the use of supplementary DEM data to fill the gaps in SRTM coverage.
Many people using the applications are adding their own data and making them available through various sources. Google Earth is able to show all kinds of images overlaid on the surface of the earth and is also a Web Map Service client. Google Earth supports managing three-dimensional Geospatial data through Keyhole Markup Language (KML).
Google Earth has the capability to show 3D buildings and structures (such as bridges), which consist of users' submissions using SketchUp, a 3D modeling program Recently, Google added a feature that allow users to monitor traffic speeds at loops located every 200 yards in real-time. In version 4.3 released on April 15, 2008, Google Street View was fully integrated into the program allowing the program to provide an on the street level view in many locations.
Google Earth has proven to be a valuable asset to cave divers in searching and locating sink holes, blue holes and cenotes located around the world.
Aerial and satellite photographs.
IMINT, short for IMagery INTelligence, is an intelligence gathering discipline, which collects information via satellite and aerial photography. As a means of collecting intelligence, IMINT is a subset of intelligence collection management, which, in turn, is a subset of intelligence cycle management. IMINT is especially complemented by non-imaging MASINT electro-optical and radar sensors.
Low- and high-flying planes have been used to gather information about potential sinkholes, blue holes and cenotes around the world. A new generation of unmanned reconnaissance planes has been developed for imagery and signals intelligence. Known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, these drones are a force multiplier by giving the viewer an "eye in the sky" without risking a pilot.
Though the resolution of satellite photographs, which must be taken from distances of hundreds of kilometers, is usually poorer than photographs taken by air, satellites offer the possibility of coverage for much of the earth.
Early photographic reconnaissance satellites used photographic film, which was exposed on-orbit and returned to earth for developing. These satellites remained in orbit for days, weeks, or months before ejecting their film-return vehicles, called "buckets."
Satellites for imaging intelligence were usually placed in low-earth, high-inclination orbits, sometimes in sun-synchronous orbits. Since the film-return missions were usually short, they could indluge in orbits with low perigees, in the range of 100-200 km, but the more recent CCD-based satellites have been launched into higher orbits, 250-300 km perigee, allowing each to remain in orbit for several years.
While the exact resolution and other details of modern spy satellites are classified, some idea of the trade-offs available can be made using simple physics. Were the Hubble Space Telescope, with a 2.5 m telescope, designed for photographing Earth, it would be diffraction-limited to resolutions greater than 16cm (6 inches) for green light ( nm) at its orbital altitude of 590 km. This means that it would be impossible to take photographs showing objects smaller than 16cm with such a telescope at such an altitude. Modern U.S. IMINT satellites are believed to have around 10cm resolution; contrary to references in popular culture, this is sufficient to detect any type of vehicle, but not to read the headlines of a newspaper.
The primary purpose of most satellites is to monitor visible ground activity. While resolution and clarity of images has improved greatly over the years, this role has remained essentially the same. Some of the multi-spectral sensors, such as thermal measurement, are more electro-optical MASINT than true IMINT platforms.
Since 1985, commercial vendors of satellite imagery have entered the market, beginning with the French SPOT satellites, which had resolutions between 5 and 20 meters. Recent high-resolution (4 - 0.5 meter) private imaging satellites include IKONOS, Orbview, QuickBird and Worldview-1, allowing any country (or any business for that matter) to buy access to satellite images.
Several underwater cave exploration satellites have depended on satellite imagery to better plan logistics and the best potential for new underwater caves to explore.
Airplanes/Helicopters.
It is an expensive but effective tool. Several cenotes, sink holes and blue holes have been located with the use of airplanes. Using still or video cameras, you can record what you see to later study and verify potential exploration sites. The two best discoveries by use of airplane was the Diepolder sink holes (1976) located on the Sandy Hills Ranch located south of Highway 52 between Brooksville and Weeki Wachee Springs in Hernando County, Florida and now owned by the Boy Scouts of America – Tampa Chapter. The Gran Cenote was discovered October, 1987 and is located 4 kilometers northwest of Tulum, Mexico on the Coba Road. This cenote was the beginning site of the massive cave system called Sac Aktun – the White Cave. It is positioned only 100 meters from the highway, however the dense Yucatan jungle kept it hidden until spotted by Steve DeCarlo piloting his private airplane.
Along the Mexican Caribbean coast known as the Riviera Maya, hurricanes have proven to be a valuable asset with the use of airplanes as the major storm usually strips the jungle of all leaves and soft vegetation exposing many of the hidden cenotes. The best examples were Hurricane Gilberto of September, 1988, Hurricane Roxanne of October, 1995 and Hurricane Wilma of October, 2005.. Several new cenotes were spotted and located because of the events of nature.
Books and Web Sites.
In the United States there are several books that have been written and published outlining detailed information of springs and sinkholes. In 2001, the Florida Legislature passed the Florida Springs Initiative to further the State's ability to conserve and protect our valuable freshwater spring resources. As part of this larger program the FGS began a three-year project to update and complete the state's inventory of these resources. The original report by the FGS on Florida's springs was published in 1947, as Bulletin No. 31. This was revised in 1977. In recent decades, much has been learned about additional spring resources unreported in earlier compilations. In addition, a great deal of water chemistry information has been gathered to enable long-term trend analysis and interpretative dynamics of our subsurface aquifer flow regimes. Further data is being compiled to better define various spring sheds to aid policy makers as they try to address land-use decisions to foster sustainable fresh water resources. The information contained in this report, provides data for scientists, planners, environmental managers, and the citizens of Florida.
Springs of Florida - Bulletin 66 is available to download as a complete document.
Springs of Missouri 84.76 MB PDF, by Jerry D. Vineyard and Gerald L. Feder, with sections on fauna and flora by William L. Pflieger and Robert G. Lipscomb, 267 p., 94 figs., 26 tbls., 1974 (reprinted 1982). Price $22.00. Describes and locates large springs of Missouri; includes rates of flow, and water composition and quality. Provides information on what makes springs work, pollution potential, historical use of springs, and flora and fauna found in and around them.
For cave diving in the Yucatan of Mexico there is The Cenotes of the Riveria Maya book that was published in January, 2000 and a current web site at www.cenotesoftheRivieraMaya.com provides detail information of the more popular cave diving systems and cenotes in the Riviera Maya. It outlines location, GPS, land -owner, entry access, dive site fees, who explored the cave, best dives and what to expect. This book contains over 200 color photographs and been a very valuable tool for the visiting cave diver to the Riviera Maya of Mexico.
RESPONSIBILITY WITH PROPERTY OWNERS
No land is un-owned. Before anyone decides to swim, dive and explore a spring, sinkhole, blue hole, cenote.....PLEASE......make the best effort to find and talk with the landowner. The best way to show RESPECT is an open and honest approach. Being courteous, civilized and concerned will go a long way. You will be astonished how receptive most property owners will be when you are willing to explain your intentions. Offering and sharing the information you obtain scores big points. If you have a map, give the landowner a copy. Most landowners are very curious about what is in their underwater cave. Certainly the knowledge you furnish can establish a solid foundation of trust and cooperation. It is a winning situation for both sides.
Once permission is granted, any conditions imposed should be graciously accepted. Any limitations or rules established should be understood with responsibilities shared.
In the State of Florida, several of the popular cave systems are owned by the State of Florida and managed by the award-winning State Park system. However, the majority of underwater caves and the potential for new exploration are located on private land. The cave diver must respect and follow the rules or wishes of the landowner.
Most landowners of the Riviera Maya want to be paid a nominal fee for accessibility. Your goal has been accomplished with the opportunity to dive and explore underwater caves. With over 150 different cave systems located between Puerto Morelos and Tulum area the landowner, with no diving or swimming allowed, closes off only a few cenotes.
The landowners have constructed walkways, platforms and installed ladders for easy and SAFE access at several of the cenotes. A few have even installed public toilets to help keep the area clean and unpolluted. Keeping the cenotes litter-free, minimizing the impact from erosion and not disturbing the land helps maintain good relations. You are the GUEST and it is your responsibility to keep the cenotes clean and unspoiled. Courtesy, patience and respect for the property owner will go a long way in gaining accessibility and permission to dive or swim in the cenotes of the Riviera Maya.
LOGISTICS
The majority of underwater caves available for recreational use are within reasonable distance of roads or highways for vehicles to travel. The main reason for their popularity is the easy accessibility.
People desire convenience. The more difficult and demanding the accessibility to an underwater cave become the less interest and participation from the public. Unfortunately, not every underwater cave is easy and convenient to visit. From an exploration viewpoint, you take what you are presented. Nothing is a gift from the cave gods. Travel to and from many springs; sinkholes, blue holes and cenotes can be a physical, emotional and mental nightmare. One must be ready and properly equipped to travel safely and successfully.
The jungle terrain of the Yucatan is very harsh. A low canopy, semi-tropical vegetation is firmly entrenched. The ground is strictly rough limestone rock, which requires a good pair of hiking boots with socks. (Don’t think you can wear sandals and stroll casually through the bush like the locals) The trees and shrub growth is dense with many types of flora. Some can sting, cut, scratch, poke or turn your skin into pizza. Though it can be hot and humid, wear long pants and a shirt. During the rainy season the insects, particularly mosquitoes and tabonoes (nasty horseflies), can devour you within minutes unless armed with an arsenal of repellents and barriers to protect your precious body. A hat is a must to protect the most fragile tissue - your brain. A machete is a valuable tool and is considered sacred to those who survive in the jungle. It allows you to cut a path and make headway in the direction you wish to pursue. Carrying water is necessary in order to prevent dehydration. A compass makes it easier to locate a cenote and find your way home. If you wish to be really fancy and high tech, bring a portable GPS (Global Positioning System) that will help you secure an accurate location of where you are in the jungle.
Bringing the minimum of a diving mask and snorkel will allow you to investigate the cenote below the water. (With this equipment, you can determine if the cenote is good for snorkeling, a cavern dive and/or a cave system to potentially explore). If physically capable, porting a scuba tank with BCD, regulator system, light, and guide reel with line gives you further opportunity to determine the feasibility of exploring the cenote. Keep your provisions simple and lightweight. Hiring sherpas to help carry the supplies makes a big difference in achieving your goals. It becomes safer with less risk.
PLAYING THE GAME OF EXPLORATION
Underwater cave exploration does involve certain unwritten rules and ethics. When a variety of individuals are seeking the same goals and gratification from exploration, sometimes toes can be stepped on, sensitive egos bruised and feelings hurt. Most of the time, these types of incidents can occur because of miscommunication or not knowing or understanding the “rules of the game”. Though rare, there have been occasions where wanton actions by cave divers/explorers not regarding the efforts of their peers who are involved with their specific agenda.
A few rules to know:
Do not explore a cave system that is being currently explored by another exploration team or individual, unless the current exploration team or explorer grants permission to the new team or individual.
Obviously, no cave explorer owns the cave (there are a few exceptions around the world) but civility shows a healthy respect.
If the original cave the explorers abandon exploration; and/or so much time has evolved; how much time to allow is a matter of judgment and debate. It would be courteous and wise to ask the originating team if they are finished with their exploration. If you are not sure who is involved, make every effort to locate and seek approval to continue the exploration. At least make an honest effort. Any cave diver who lays line in a cave should make every safe effort to survey it. It is considered Inappropriate to lay line and not survey it.
There is no better feeling to go where no one has gone before, to be the first. Exploration allows the human spirit to soar to the limits of freedom and feel the inner peace. It creates the ability to examine carefully and discover new places. Cave diving exploration is one of the last frontiers on our planet earth. It is the best and most extreme act an individual can perform in the quest for the unknown. It is the ultimate feeling of being alive and free!
EXPEDITION PROJECTS
The following is a list of exploration projects that have taken place during the past twenty years involving a variety of styles, purposes and objectives. These approaches in exploration have embraced cave divers from groups of one or two in size and go up to teams of fifty or more. It all depends on the size potential of the cave system, motivation, finances, available time and the rewards. But most important ...what will the cave give you in return...because you will never know unless you go.
AFRICA
DRAGON’S BREATH CAVE DIVING EXPEDITION, NAMIBIA - 1987
AUSTRALIA
Cocklebiddy Cave Diving Expedition - 1995
Kija Blue Sinkhole EXPLORATION PROJECT - 2006
BAHAMAS
BLUE HOLES FOUNDATION – 1995 - 2008
Guardian Blue Hole, 1994, Andros Island
Conch Sound Blue Hole Expedition 2001, Andros Island
Ocean Blue Hole (aka King Kong's Cavern), 2003, Andros Island
FLORIDA, USA
1987 WAKULLA SPRINGS PROJECT – U.S. DEEP CAVING TEAM
1999 WAKULLA PRINGS PROJECT – U.S. DEEP CAVING TEAM
Eagle's Nest Project– 1989 - 1991
THE WKPP EXPLORATION PROJECT – 1995 - 2008
1989 - 1994 Gulf of Mexico Deep Exploration Team
2007 KARST UNDERWATER RESEARCH PROJECT – WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS
MISSOURI, USA
MEXICO
El Proyecto de Buceo Espeleologico México y América Central [also known as "Mexico Profundo"] – 1982 - 2007
MEXICO – YUCATAN
Yucatan UNDERWATER Cave Expeditions – 1999 - 2008
MEXICO – RIVIERA MAYA
CENOTE NOHOCH NAH CHICH EXPLORATION PROJECT 1987 – 1995
THE FEDERATION FRANCAISE de SPELEOLOGIE EXPLORATION PROJECTS
SISTEMA DOS OJOS EXPLORATION PROJECT – EJIDO JACINTO PAT EXPLORATION TEAM - 1996
SISTEMA OX BEL HA EXPEDITIONS – 1999 - 2005
THE XEL HA EXPLORATION PROJECT - 2003
THE SISTEMA CAMILO EXPLORATION PROJECT - The Cambrian Foundation – 1999 - 2005
THE LABNA HA EXPLORATION PROJECTS 2005 - 2008
THE SEAT EXPLORATION PROJECT – 2006 - 2008
THE CZECH EXPLORATION PROJECTS - 2003 - 2007
THE MEXICO CAVE EXPLORATION PROJECT – M |
