An introduction to the world's most fascinating caves. This work explores every nook and cranny of these nature-made creations, including lava caves, sea caves, and glacial caves, from Kentucky's Mammoth Cave, to the amazing Paleolithic paintings of Lascaux, to Fingal's Cave of Scotland, which inspired Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture.

Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.

The Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science contains 350 alphabetically arranged entries. The topics include cave and karst geoscience, cave archaeology and human use of caves, art in caves, hydrology and groundwater, cave and karst history, and conservation and management. The Encyclopedia is extensively illustrated with photographs, maps, diagrams, and tables, and has thematic content lists and a comprehensive index to facilitate searching and browsing.

"Great Caves of the World is an introduction to some of the most magnificent cave systems in the world. Geologist and caving expert Tony Waltham provides an introduction to the subject before exploring the characteristics of each of the 28 selecte caves. He describes how each one was formed, its environment and location, and how it contributes to our understanding of the underground." "This illustrated book takes readers on a journey to a surprising array of environments, from huge underground rivers and long lava formations to secret temples and ancient archaeological sites. Dwell in forests of sparkling ice colums deep inside the Pinega Caves, Russia; be dazzled by the mineral deposits in Lechugilla Cave, USA, and discover the classic Yorkshire pothole at Gaping Gill, England."--BOOK JACKET.