# Glossary of caving and speleology

There are a number of terms that are used in connection with caves, caving and speleology. The following is an incomplete list.

## Contents

* A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
* See also
* References
* External links

## A
### Anthodite

    Main article: Anthodite A speleothem (cave formation) composed of long needle-like crystals situated in clusters which radiate outward from a common base.

## B
### Belly crawl

    A passage that is very low.

### Biospeleology

    Main article: Biospeleology A branch of biology dedicated to the study of organisms that live in caves and are collectively referred to as troglofauna.

### Boneyard

    An intricate maze of limestone with many holes where material has dissolved away.

### Boulder choke

    Main article: Boulder choke A collection of large rocks or rubble that obstructs the passage of a cave or mine. In order to progress through passages, cavers often need to negotiate or clear boulder chokes.

### Buffoon

    Also called a speleo-buffoon or cave-buffoon, a derogatory term referring to cavers who are unprepared and make poor decisions.

## C
### Cave conservancy

    Main article: Cave conservancy A specialized land trust that primarily manages caves or karst features in the United States.

### Cave digging

    Main article: Cave digging The practice of enlarging undiscovered cave openings to allow entry.

### Caver

    Someone who explores caves for recreation, a synonym for spelunker

### Caving

    The sport of exploring caves, a synonym for spelunking

### Cupola

    Main article: Cupola (cave formation) Recess, indentation, or cavity in the ceiling of a lava tube, a kind of cave formation.

## K
### Karst

    Main article: Karst A landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks.

## P
### Pit

    A vertical space for which ascending or rappelling equipment is required.

### Pseudokarst

    Main article: Pseudokarst Similar to karsts, but created by different mechanisms.

## R
### Cave rescue

    Main article: Cave rescue A highly specialized field of wilderness rescue in which injured, trapped or lost cave explorers are medically treated and extracted from various cave environments.

### Resurgence

    Main article: Resurgence (spring) The point where water emerges from an aquifer.

## S
### Speleogen

    Main article: Speleogen A geological formation within a cave that has been created by the removal of bedrock, rather than as a secondary deposit.

### Speleogenesis

    Main article: Speleogenesis The origin and development of caves, the primary process that determines essential features of the hydrogeology of karst and guides its evolution.

### Speleothem

    Main article: Speleothem Geological formation by mineral deposits that accumulate over time in natural caves

### Spelunker

    Someone who explores caves as a hobby, a synonym for caver

### Spelunking

    Main article: Spelunking Exploring caves as a hobby, a synonym for caving

### Squeeze

    A tight passage.

### Stygofauna

    Main article: Stygofauna Small aquatic animals living in caves and aquifers.

### Sump

    Main article: Sump (cave) A cave that is submerged under water. A sump may be static, with no inward or outward flow, or active, with continuous through-flow. Static sumps may also be connected underwater to active stream passage. When short in length, a sump may be called a duck.

### Suspension trauma

    Main article: Suspension trauma Also known as harness hang syndrome (HHS), or orthostatic intolerance, is an effect which occurs when the human body is held upright without any movement for a period of time.

### Swallow-hole

    Main article: Swallow-hole The point where water drains from the surface into a cave system.

## T
### Terrace

    A series of dams made of rimstone that slopes gently.

### Troglobite

    See also: List of troglobites An animal that lives entirely in the dark parts of caves

### Troglofauna

    Main article: Troglofauna Small, non-aquatic cave-dwelling animals.

## W
### Whaletail

    A type of descender produced from a block of aluminium that applies a variable degree of friction.

### Window

    A hole in a thin wall that connects two chambers or passages.