UIS

Summer School on Speleothem Science
2023-08-06 - 2023-08-13 | São Paulo, Brazil
S4 2023 will consist of three days of lectures and workshops from experts in the field of speleothem science at the Institute of Geosciences at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Participants will also get the chance to present their own research to fellow participants and the experts during poster sessions.​ This will be followed by a 3-day field trip to PETAR (Parque Estadual Turistico do Alto Riberia), a beautiful region renowned for its caves.
​Preliminary lecture topics (subject to change)

Stable isotopes (oxygen and carbon)
Trace elements
Speleothem formation
Cave monitoring + speleothem sampling (in the field)
Dating (U and Pb)
Speleothems and climate models
Paleotemperature
Karst geomorphology and hydrology (in the field)
Multi-archive reconstructions

​Preliminary workshops (subject to change)

Speleothem petrography
Age-depth modeling
Time series analysis
Professional development panel
Cave photography (in the field)

National Caving Conference: Hidden Earth
2023-09-15 - 2023-09-17 | Bristol, England
Hidden Earth is the name for the British Cave Research Association’s (BCRA’s) annual caving conference.
This weekend-long event taking place in September every year is a friendly, educational, inspiring and social gathering of hundreds of cavers from across the UK and overseas.
The weekend is packed with lectures, with two or three parallel sessions running both days. Topics include new and old exploration from the UK and overseas as well as workshops covering cave science, research, technology and photography. There are competitions, games, videos and a trade hall with caving equipment vendors from across Europe selling their latest products. We also have our own bar (with excellent beer) and conference dinner with entertainment on the Saturday night to make this a great social occasion.
This is the premium opportunity for cavers from across the UK and overseas to get together, celebrate caving, and be enthused about British cave exploration and research.

5th International Meeting of Cavers in the Moravian Karst: Karst, Caves, And People 2023
2023-09-20 - 2023-09-24 | Sloup, Moravian Karst, Czech Republic
This evenst are organized on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the first historical descent of man into the Macocha Abyss in the Moravian Karst and on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the foundation of the Czech Speleological Society.
During speleological meeting you can visit the most significant caves in Moravian Karst, conference topics are focused on history of human activities in the karst regions. As the highlight of our event will be a historical reconstruction of a descent of monk Lazarus Schopper to the – 134 m deep Macocha Abyss.
Attached you can find a second circular for both events and all information are also on the official website, which will be regularly updated: https://www.speleo.cz/karst-caves-and-people-2023
The second circular can be found here.

Cave Bear Symposium
2023-09-21 - 2023-09-24 | Bayreuth, Germany
Email Registration: nadja.kavcik@univie.ac.at

New Mexico Geological Society Fall Field Conference
2023-10-04 - 2023-10-07 | Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA
The 73rd annual Fall Field Conference of the New Mexico Geological Society will be held in the Carlsbad area of southeastern New Mexico. The 2023 conference will focus specifically on evaporite karst of the lower Pecos region, and more broadly on the geology and stratigraphy of the Delaware Basin in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. This region is of immense economic and scientific importance due to its prolific oil and gas production and its designation by the International Union of Geological Sciences as a Global Stratotype Section for rocks of middle Permian age. Evaporite karst phenomena formed in middle and upper Permian strata occur on a variety of scales and are broadly distributed throughout the region.

Rocky Mountain SpeleoSeminar
2023-10-07 | Golden, Colorado, USA
The SpeleoSeminar is hosted by the Colorado School of Mines Student Grotto of the National Speleological Society.
The seminar includes visual presentations and talks by knowledgeable cavers and cave scientists. These presentations include exploration, conservation and cave and karst science.
Presentations range from 10 to 45 minutes in length. In past seminars, presentations have included geology, microbiology, biology, mineralogy, exploration and science.

16th European Cave Rescue Meeting
2023-10-12 - 2023-10-15 | Porto de Mós, Portugal
The 16th European Cave Rescue Meeting is going to take place in Mira de Aire, Municipality of Porto de Mós, Maciço Calcário Estremenho, Portugal from October 12th till 15th 2023.
Pre-Meeting from October 11th till 12th 2023.
During the Pre-Meeting you can enjoy caving and cave diving; we are preparing several interesting locations.

Geological Society of America Convention
2023-10-15 - 2023-10-18 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
GSA Connects 2023 will bring together the geological community to enable you to share your scientific research, network with leaders in the field, and keep your skills relevant in a rapidly changing world. Plan now to be part of this gathering by submitting a proposal for a short course, field trip, and/or a technical session considering the themes “Diverse Science for a Sustainable Future” or “Climate and Energy Transition.”

3rd Balkan Speleological Congress
2023-10-19 - 2023-10-22 | Sofia, Bulgaria
contact@bgcave.org

34th BCRA Cave Science Symposium
2023-10-21 - 2023-10-22 | Leeds, England
This year’s Science Symposium will be at the University of Leeds, on Saturday 21 October, organised by Simon Bottrell. On Sunday 22nd October there will be a field excursion, led by Phil Murphy, to include Gillfield Level at Greenhow and caves of Nidderdale.

Batweek
2023-10-24 - 2023-10-31
Bat Week is an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation. Bats are amazing creatures that are vital to the health of our natural world and economy. Although we may not always see them, bats are hard at work all around the world each night – eating tons of insects, pollinating flowers, and spreading seeds that grow new plants and trees.

3rd International Congress of Karst, Speleology and Enhancement of Natural Heritage
2023-11-02 - 2023-11-05 | Rabat, Morocco
Aware of the importance of natural heritage, Mohamed V University of Rabat, Faculty of Sciences and the Moroccan Explorers Society Association in close collaboration with its partners are organizing the third edition of the International Scientific Congress of Karst, Caving, and Valorization of Heritage natural from 02 to 05 November 2023 in Rabat.
This event will aim to open the debate on the importance of natural and geological heritage in Morocco.
It is also an opportunity to develop a summary to be made available to decision-makers for optimal and sustainable enhancement of heritage.

Cave Research Foundation Annual Meeting
2023-11-03 - 2023-11-04 | National Cave and Karst Research Institute, Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA

La Union Mexicana De Agrupaciones Espeleologicas
2023-11-03 - 2023-11-05 | San Luis Potosi, Mexico
The Objective of the Mexican National Congress of Speleology is:
Bring together expert cavers, professionals and enthusiasts of related activities, to share knowledge, experiences and discoveries in the fascinating world of caves.

CaveMAB Network: Sustainable Tourism Solutions in Cave and Karst Biosphere Reserves
2023-11-06 - 2023-11-07 | online
We announce that the CaveMAB Network will be hosting a free, international webinar, Sustainable Tourism Solutions in Cave and Karst Biosphere Reserves, on November 6-7 2023.
The webinar will be held in recognition of the UNESCO International Day of Biosphere Reserves as we take “inspiration from of the solutions already implemented in BRs to build genuinely sustainable development everywhere, with full respect for nature and for the living world.”
Keynote speakers include Dr. Natasa Ravbar, Senior Research Associate, Karst Research Institute of Slovenia, (https://izrkp.zrc-sazu.si/en/sodelavci/natasa-ravbar-en), Dr. Kelly Cerialo, Professor, Paul Smiths College, Champlain Adirondacks Biosphere Network, USA (https://www.paulsmiths.edu/people/cerialo/) and Dr. Heros Lobo, Associated Professor at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil and Associate Director (2022-2026) of the International Show Caves Association (ISCA).
We invite you to share sustainable tourism solutions that have been implemented at your BR. For those interested we ask you to submit a brief abstract in English (150 words maximum) to cavemab@protonmail.com.

National Cave and Karst Management Symposium
2023-11-06 - 2023-11-10 | Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
The National Cave & Karst Management Symposium is the preeminent forum for promoting, advancing and sharing concepts in effective management of cave and karst resources. These biennial symposia provide an opportunity for practical synergy among cave and karst management professionals from diverse backgrounds, working in various professions and with interests spanning a broad range of cave and karst management issues. New techniques are discussed, issues addressed, solutions developed and effective working relationships formed to help protect and conserve caves, karst, cave ecosystems and water resources.

21st International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology
2024-04-10 - 2024-04-20 | Galapagos, Ecuador
21st International Symposium on Vulcanospeleology (ISV21)
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island Galapagos, Ecuador
Pre Symposium 10th – 13th, Symposium 15th – 20th April 2024
Preliminary Information – PDF
Please contact Aaron Addison (aaddison67@gmail.com) with any questions.

6th Rocky Mountain Geobiology Symposium
2024-04-20 | Socorro, New Mexico, USA
Keynote Speakers:
Dr. Devan Nisson
Dr. Magdalena Osburn
Dr. Morgan Raven

Astrobiology Science Conference
2024-05-05 - 2024-05-10 | Providence, Rhode Island, USA
The Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) brings the astrobiology community together every two years to share research, collaborate, and plan for the future. Join the astrobiology community for a robust gathering of scientists and exchange of knowledge. #AbSciCon24 will be held in Providence, RI on 5-10 May 2024.

10th International Workshop on Ice Caves (IWIC-X)
2024-05-12 - 2024-05-18 | Werfenweng, Austria
The 10th International Workshop on Ice Caves (IWIC-X) will be held in Werfenweng, Austria, from May 12 to 18, 2024. The venue will be in the charming village of Werfenweng, located some 40 km south of the city of Salzburg.

Characterization and Engineering of Karst Aquifers
2024-05-26 - 2024-06-01 | Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The international course Characterization and Engineering of Karst Aquifers – CEKA will be held in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina from May 26 to June 1, 2024. Preliminary application form for CEKA 2024 can be found at the links below. Number of participants is limited.
Preliminary application form

Karst and Caves 2024
2024-05-28 - 2024-06-01
All-Russian Scientific Conference with international participants. This Conference will discuss the problems and achievements karst and speleology in the first quarter of the XXI century.
More information: http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Karst_and_caves-2024-information.pdf

17th Balkan Cavers' Camp
2024-05-29 - 2024-06-02 | Center of Excellence Cerovac Caves, Grab 70a, 23440, Gračac, Gračac, Croatia (Local Name: Hrvatska)
Join us from May 29th to June 2nd for the Balkan Cavers Camp 2024! The official program starts on the 30th of May. The camp will take place in Croatia at the Cerovacke Caves. Cerovacke Caves are the largest tourist cave complex in Croatia and are located on the hillside of southern Velebit, on the northeastern slope of the Crnopac hill , in the protected area of ​​the Velebit Nature Park. The nearest town is Gračac, 4 km away.
Since its inception in 2007, the Balkan Speleological Union has been proudly hosting this annual event in different countries across the Balkan Peninsula. This year, we’re thrilled to introduce some exciting new elements to our program. Alongside the chance to visit and explore some of the most breathtaking caves, we are launching a series of workshops on cave survey, navigation apps, LiDAR, new technologies and tools, cave science etc. These sessions, led by experts from various countries, aim to broaden the scope of cave exploration techniques and enhance your skill set.
Moreover, we are organising panel discussions on cave polution and cave cadastre, providing a platform for in-depth dialogue and knowledge sharing among the caving community. But that’s not all – they have many more surprises in store! These additional features are designed to enrich your experience and ensure that the Balkan Cavers Camp 2024 is an unforgettable event. Our vision is not just to explore the depths of the earth, but also to forge lasting bonds among cavers and speleological organisations from the Balkan region and the world over, so join us on “Journey Beneath, Bond Beyond”
The registration will be open until May 12th so you better hurry up and fill out the form: https://forms.gle/AX3h35Ux8aJFevCm7

14th International Cave Rescue Conference (ICRC)
2024-06-06 - 2024-06-09 | Ramales de la Victoria, Spain
The 14th International Cave Rescue Conference is going to take place in Ramales de la Victoria, Alto Asón, Cantabria / Spain from 6th to 9th June 2024.

Eurokarst
2024-06-10 - 2024-06-14 | Rome, Italy
Eurokarst is the European bi-annual conference on the Hydrogeology of Karst and Carbonate Reservoirs.
The next Eurokarst will be held in Rome, June 10-14, 2024.

31st International Karstological School »Classical Karst«
2024-06-17 - 2024-06-21 | Postojna, Slovenia
Dear colleagues!
You are cordially invited to participate at 31st International Karstological School »Classical Karst«: Data Acquisition and Analysis in Karst Systems, which will take place from the 17th to 21st June 2024 in Postojna, Slovenia.
The registration and abstract submission form will open in early February. More information will be available soon, and in a few days you can also find it at https://iks.zrc-sazu.si/en/
The 31st IKS will delve into the pivotal theme of data: its acquisition, processing and interpretation. Therefore, we invite participants to share their experiences in characterizing karst environments, elucidate the challenges they have encountered and present their inventive solutions.

Man and Karst 2024
2024-06-24 - 2024-06-29 | Ragusa, Italy, Ragusa, Italy
Encouraged by the appreciated events, organized in 2019 in Ragusa and in Custonaci in 2022, which saw the presence of numerous participants, such as university professors and researches from prestigious universities, speleologists, hikers and nature enthusiasts, in the context of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the CIRS – Hyblean Center of Speleo-Hydrogeological Research, the third edition of Man and Karst in Sicily is organized and will take place in Ragusa (Sicily) from 24 to 29 June 2024.
In the magical historical location of Ragusa, chief town of the southernmost province of Italy, as well as Tunis, the Hyblean foreland in the center of the Mediterranean, as if to underline its geological belonging to the northernmost sector of the African platform; UNESCO world heritage site for its splendid baroque, enclosed between two fluviokarst valleys, in this fascinating historical-geographical context we will return to discuss of Man and his relationship with the Karst, to share and enrich ourselves with new research experiences, to review old friends and making new ones.

And taking advantage of this geographical centrality, how could we not explore, from 24 to 29 June, some of the most interesting karst contexts of this extreme south-eastern sector of Sicily, and not only by looking, with the excursions proposed by us, in the hyblean fluviokarst canyons, then to the west fascinating landscape scenery of the evaporite basin of central-southern Sicily with its gypsum caves, and northwards on the slopes of the highest active volcano in Europe with its lava tubes.
Man and Karst 2024 in Sicily, in the same way as the previous past editions, wants to give a contribution to the knowledge, enhancement and safeguard of the karst landscape and caves with their ecosystems and historical-anthropological resources as a whole, as an instrument and optimal function of scientific research, not as often for its own sake or for the sake of a few users, but rather, at the service and for the benefit of the whole community.
For more information contact Dr. Rosario Ruggieri PhD
Cell: +39 3519863290
info@cirs-ragusa.org

National Speleological Society Convention
2024-07-01 - 2024-07-05 | Sewanee, Tennessee, USA
Join us in Sewanee, Tennessee for the 2024 NSS Convention. Held on the campus of St. Andrews-Sewanee School, 2024 marks a return to one of the premier caving areas in the United States.

Grind 2024
2024-08-01 - 2024-09-22 | Avenul de sub Vârful Grind, Piatra Craiului Mountains, Romania
The annual exploration expedition in Avenul de sub Vârful Grind (“Grind Pit”) will take place from 7 to 22 September 2024 in Piatra Craiului Mountains, in the center of Romania. The exploration camp is organized by the Silex Brașov, Focul Viu București, and Avenul Brașov caving clubs. In the past years, other caving clubs in Romania and abroad have also been involved in the explorations.
The camp’s purpose is to continue the recent explorations in Avenul de sub Vârful Grind (Pit)—the deepest cave in Romania, with a depth of -800 m. The 2023 camp opened the way beyond the siphon at -775 m, and this year, one of the main objectives is to prepare a safe passage in the siphon area and then explore beyond the current terminus!
Avenul de sub Vârful Grind has its entrance located at an altitude of 1922 m a.s.l., on the eastern slope of the mountain’s saw-like limestone main ridge, near Grindului Valley. The entrance is located below the ridge, on one of the Hornurile Grindului steep valleys.
Being part of an underground team requires good S.R.T. skills (preferentially using European S.R.T.) as almost the entire cave is vertical and is traversed on ropes. In short, the cave’s lower half is a difficult exploration/traverse. You will participate in work/exploration trips at various points in the cave for the objectives listed below. Details of the extended/detailed list of objectives and the possibilities of participating in certain objectives can be discussed with the organizers depending on personal experience/skills and the exploratory/organizational context of the camp.
Objectives:

Reactivation of the drainage system in the sump/siphon at -775 m and draining of the sump (or lowering the water level); technical work for enlarging the narrow part of the siphon so we can pass through aired space with no neoprene/water protection equipment in the next parts
Exploration beyond the current terminus by enlarging the restriction point at -800 m and hopefully exploring new verticals
Climbing a small waterfall wall at -400 m (side gallery with a tributary stream that leads to a parallel section, going up)
Carrying out crossings/traverses and climbs in the Walter Gutt Shaft (at -500 m) and advancing on possible upward continuations
Exploration of some lateral narrow leads below -600 m
Enlarging a narrow fracture in order to find an alternative route to bypass a dangerous breccia plug area at -555 m (under the bivouac -540 m)
Conducting geomorphological observations and structural measurements
Photo/video documentation
Rigging the cave with cave-rescue anchors

Asian Trans-Disciplinary Karst 2024
2024-08-12 - 2024-08-15 | Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Karst Research Group, Faculty of Geography UGM in cooperation with Asian Union of Speleology cordially welcome you to join the Asian Trans-Disciplinary Karst 2024. This year, the Asian Trans-Disciplinary Karst will be held in two venues and areas: Special Region of Yogyakarta and Kalimantan Timur Province. With various series of events and programs, they offer many interesting activities: scientific conference, international expedition, competition, site visit, excursion, and many more! Find and explore your need through the website.
