Cave Quiz 3: Chapters 4-5 Flashcards
Define detrital formations
sediments brought into the caves by streams and residual material left by the limestone
Define dripping speleothem
stalactites, stalagmites, and columns that are growing
Define desiccation cracks
cracks occurring because of shrinking of sediment as it dries
define master joints
a tectonic discontinuity (fault line) that a given cave passage follows.
List the three types of active caves.
inflow, outflow, and through
Name the two types of eccentric speleothems.
Those that grow from stactites (helictites) and those that grow from stalagmites (heligmites)
Name some pieces of gear needed for cave exploration
good footwear, good rope, flashlight, hard hat, gloves, pack, wool socks, knee pads
Name four of the concerns, problems, and challenges faced by modern cave explorers as they study a cave.
ascending and descending by rope, crawling through muck and water, moving through large adn small chambers, following joints and scallops.
What family spent the most time in a cave during World War II, and what is the name of the cave system this family used?
The Stermers (a Jewish family from Ukraine); Popowa Yama Cave
Name some non-calcite speleothems.
gypsum flowers, balloons, crusts, chandeliers, angel hair (mirabilite), moonmilk
What concerns are there for those trying to take photographs in a cave?
humidity increases the absorption of light; unpleasant colors can result when using artificial light films; much time is required to take simple shots with artificial light films
What is a shield
a special type of speleothem made up of two semicircular plates growing parallel to each other. They can grow more than three feet in diameter.
What are cave rafts?
When cave pool water is saturated and very calm, thin flakes of calcite start growing, floating on the water, and are called cave rafts.
What is the most obvious logical argument against a very old age of speleothems?
recorded growths of speleothems refute the necessity of tens or hundreds of thousands of years
Who was the first to build and use a diving device?
Alexander the Great in 325 B.C.