Cave Week

09/13/2026

We are excited to celebrate the 1st International Day of Caves and Karst!

Caves are just one of the many types of unique features that are found in karst landscapes. Often when we talk about caves we highlight how the surface can affect the subsurface environment. Today let's celebrate how the subterranean environment nourishes the surface, whether it's creating habitat, preserving history, providing water storage, or supporting biodiversity.

If you want to learn more about the International Day of Caves and Karst, go to: https://www.caveskarstday.org/

09/10/2026

You can vote here: https://www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-results/results-r1m10

September is Mineral Cup month, where 32 minerals face off in a single-elimination tournament to see which mineral will be crowned the favorite of geologists and earth science enthusiasts. Voting for each match begins at midnight GMT (6pm MDT) and runs for 24 hours. It’s a fun way to learn more about the minerals that make up our world.

https://www.mineralcup.org/2026/vote-results/vote-r1m10

In today’s match, pyromorphite is facing off against , a mineral near and dear to our hearts here at NCKRI HQ. Carlsbad is surrounded by evaporite karst made up of gypsum, which formed when anhydrite deposited in the Delaware Basin was exposed to fresh water. There are numerous caves, including Parks Ranch Cave, the longest gypsum cave on public land in the US with ~4 miles of mapped passages. NCKRI staff are involved in science and conservation efforts at multiple caves that are either formed in gypsum or have unique gypsum formations.

Vote gypsum before 6pm MDT at the link in the comments, and check back tomorrow for another match involving a cave mineral!

09/04/2026

Beneath thriving forests, clear rivers, and vibrant ecosystems can lie a hidden story. On September 13, 2026 we will celebrate the 1st International Day of Caves and Karst. A day to appreciate the landscapes that our water flows through, shelters unique species, and lies out of sight but not out of mind. 🦇💧

The world above is nourished by what lies beneath.



https://www.caveskarstday.org/

08/29/2026

Celebrate the first International Day of Caves and Karst on September 13, 2026! 🌎

This global day of outreach and celebration was established by UNESCO in 2025 following an initiative by the International Union of Speleology.

The success of the day depends on local activities taking place around the world. This is your opportunity to help raise awareness in your community.

Host an event, share stories of exploration and scientific discovery, talk about speleology, explain the vulnerability of karst groundwater, and invite your community to help protect caves and karst.

Whether you're hosting a cave tour, giving a presentation, organizing a cleanup, or simply sharing the importance of these extraordinary environments, every activity helps.

Find information, downloadable resources, photos, and register your event at: https://www.caveskarstday.org

06/08/2026

06/07/2026

🗺️ Cave Week might be ending, but the exploration hasn’t stopped! 🥾🦇

To every cave explorer and surveyor who goes the extra mile—whether you’re squeezing through a tight passage, crawling through mud, or meticulously sketching out giant, echoing rooms: Thank you!

From tracing hidden underground waterways to discovering what novel microbes are eating in the deep, the science of caves is constantly expanding what we know. 🧪🔬

What new discovery or breakthrough in cave science are you most excited about right now? Drop your thoughts or your favorite action shot in the comments below! 👇

National Speleological Society Niemiller Nature National Cave and Karst Research Institute Karst Waters Institute

Photo: National Park Service Wind Cave National Park

06/07/2026

As Cave Week comes to an end, we encourage you to keep going underground. Stay curious about what lies below your feet. Follow the trails that spark your curiosity, and never forget our inseparable connection to the world below!

NPS Photo: Photo of helictite growing off nailhead spar.

06/07/2026

06/05/2026

🔬 Caves invite us to look at the world in a new way. 🔬

When we think of scientific laboratories, we usually picture sterile white rooms, rows of test tubes, and high-tech equipment. But some of the most groundbreaking science on Earth happens in the dark, muddy, and rugged depths of the subterranean world.
Caves offer scientists a natural laboratory, with an undisturbed environment to study the past, understand the present, and even predict the future.

Here is how caves serve as the ultimate underground research centers:
⏳Time Capsules: Stalagmites and stalactites act like tree rings. By analyzing their mineral layers, geologists can learn thousands of years of Earth's climate history, helping us better understand the weather and groundwater.

🩺The Frontiers of Medicine: In the extreme isolation of deep caves, unique microbes have evolved to survive without sunlight. Microbiologists are studying these extreme organisms right now to develop the next generation of medicine.

👽Portals to Alien Worlds: NASA and space agencies use the harsh, alien environments of caves to test rovers, train astronauts, and study "extremophiles"—giving us clues on how to search for life on Mars and icy moons.

This , we celebrate the scientists, speleologists, and cave researchers who brave the dark to bring new discoveries to light.

06/04/2026

Celebrate Cave Week with Your Community! 🦇🧗‍♂️

Ever wondered what secrets lie just beneath our feet? Caves are sensitive underground ecosystems, historical time capsules, and stunning natural wonders.

This week, we are celebrating the incredible world of caves and the amazing community that studies, explores and protects caves. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the subterranean world safely and responsibly, there’s no better place to start than with the National Speleological Society (NSS). To find your nearest caving club or grotto go to caves.org