Recommend a book on cave geology?

[Penguin]

Hi! 

Been lurking for a while, now i have a question! 

I'm interested in getting a book on cave geology, that identifies (with pictures!) the structures and formations.  And also has details on how everything forms.  So when i look at this...

...i can understand what, why and how!  I know the very basics (joints, bedding planes, stalactites and stalacmites!), but want to get beyond that.  So when i try to describe something i can call it the right thing.  My main interest is in cave diving, so it would be nice to have a book with underwater info as well as dry caves. 

So, any suggestions or recommendations? 

Anyone got anything good second-hand?

Thanks in advance. 

 

[graham]

Ford, Derek C. and Williams, Paul, 1989, Karst Geomorphology and Hydrology: Unwin Hyman, Winchester, Massachusetts, 320 p

or the 2007 second edition.

 

[Cookie]

Art Palmer's Cave Geology is excellent. Early Xmas present?

http://www.speleoprojects.com/html/en/main_home.html

Cave Geology is the definitive book on the subject by an internationally recognized authority. It can be easily understood by non-scientists but also covers a wide range of topics in enough detail to be used by advanced researchers. Illustrated with more than 500 black-and-white photographs and 250 diagrams and maps, this book is dedicated to anyone with an interest in caves and their origin.

Not sure where you can buy it the UK. SpeleoProjects probably are your best bet.

 

[Elaine]

Nice idea, though be prepared to be disappointed. In geology it takes a lot of study to be able to interpret what you see, though to interpret something in its most simple terms is not too hard. Sorry if that sounds patronising, it isn't meant to be!

I thought that I would be able to identify rocks with my Earth Science degree, but I can't really. Only the obvious ones. Learning through reading or study or whatever does help you to think through various possibilities though which can't be a bad thing.

 

[Penguin]

Excellent!  Thanks guys!

I will start dropping some hints... 

Amazon sells Palmer (though Speleoprojects looks cheaper), and on the same page was http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caves-Processes-Development-Management-Environment/dp/0631191755/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226966264&sr=8-8 - anyone got an opinion on this? 

Simple terms is better than what i can manage at the minute!  :-[

 

[Hammy]

This book is pretty good....

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Karst-Britain-Geological-Conservation-Review/dp/0412788608

Don't despair at the price...the first chapter is available as a free download....

http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/V12chap1.pdf

http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/V12sites.pdf

I picked up my copy from Ebay, unbeknownst to me bidding against one of my caving partners who took me up to ?50!

 

[Les W]

Art Palmer's Cave Geology is excellent.

Art Palmer's book is aimed at all levels of knowledge, there are lots of explanations for the layman and it has received excellent reviews.
Art is one of the foremost authorities in the world on this subject and is very respected in academic circles.

I already own a copy myself and find it an excellent and informative read. It really should be a part of everybody's book collection. 

 

[ChrisJC]

I would also recommend anything by Trevor Ford. He has an easy to understand style, and has written many books on all areas of the UK underground scene.

Chris.