The UISIC sub-commission on survey and mapping was founded in 1997 for promoting the cave mapping symbol set. It then tackled several other issues and is still active today. The present webpage makes the link to the different products of this sub-commission. It is the hope of the UIS that they gain wide usage!
The commission’s webpage is found on http://www.uisic.uis-speleo.org/wgsurmap.html
Cave symbol set
The cave symbol set represents the most widely used symbols for cave maps. It is not meant to be exclusive (other symbols can be added), but its aim is to be a common worldwide base.
https://www.carto.net/neumann/caving/cave-symbols/
Karst surface symbols
This list gives the symbols to use in geomorphological maps of karst areas. This list is also kept relatively simple (to be intuitive) and can be completed by other symbols.
https://sghbern.ch/karst-surface-symbols/
The” holy trinity of mapping”
The aim of this publication is to inform mapping cavers why plan view, longitudinal section, and a written description is needed in every case. The original idea was originally to be translated in as many languages as possible, and to be published in the national caving magazine. However, only some issues came out; for practical reasons, the NSS News article (english) is presented here.
The UIS survey and mapping grades
These grades replace and improve the older BCRA grades that were widely in use in the past. Their main advantage is that not only the precision of the map, but also the detail richness of the sketch is taken into account.
http://www.uisic.uis-speleo.org/UISmappingGrades.pdf
Symbols for artificial cavities
On the request of the UIS commission for artificial cavities, a symbol set specific for artificial cavities was elaborated. It is currently in its finalization; the votes are done, but the official green light is not yet given. However, chances are that there will be no changement; therefore we publicize this set here already.