speleology

speleology
—speleological /spee'lee euh loj"i keuhl/, adj. —speleologist n.
/spee'lee ol"euh jee/, n.
the exploration and study of caves.
Also, spelaeology.
[1890-95; < L spelae(um) (see SPELAEAN) + -O- + -LOGY]

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▪ geology and hydrology
      scientific discipline that is concerned with all aspects of caves and cave systems. Exploration and description of caves and their features are the principal focus of speleology, but much work on the chemical solution of limestone, rates of formation of stalagmites and stalactites, the influence of groundwater and hydrologic conditions generally, and on modes of cave development has been accomplished within this discipline. Speleology requires, essentially, the application of geological and hydrological knowledge to problems associated with underground cavern systems. Amateur exploration of caves, as a hobby, is called spelunking.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • speleology — noun Etymology: Latin speleum cave (from Greek spēlaion) + International Scientific Vocabulary o + logy more at spelunker Date: 1895 the scientific study or exploration of caves • speleological adjective • speleologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • speleology — noun a) The scientific study of caves. b) The recreational activity of exploring caves. See Also: speleological, spelunk …   Wiktionary

  • speleology —    1. Scientific study of caves, including aspects of sciences, such as geomorphology, geology, hydrology, chemistry and biology, and also the many techniques of cave exploration [9].    2. The scientific study, exploration, and description of… …   Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology

  • speleology — spe|le|ol|o|gy [ˌspi:liˈɔlədʒi US ˈa:l ] n [U] technical 1.) BrE the sport of walking and climbing in ↑caves American Equivalent: spelunking 2.) the scientific study of ↑cave s >speleologist n …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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  • speleology — n. study and exploration of caves,spe·le ol·o·gy || ‚spɪːlɪɑlÉ™dʒɪ / ɪɒl …   English contemporary dictionary

  • speleology — [ˌspi:lɪ ɒlədʒi, ˌspɛl ] noun the study or exploration of caves. Derivatives speleological adjective speleologist noun Origin C19: from Fr. spéléologie, via L. from Gk spēlaion cave …   English new terms dictionary

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