speleology

views updated May 21 2018

spe·le·ol·o·gy / ˌspēlēˈäləjē/ • n. the study or exploration of caves.DERIVATIVES: spe·le·o·log·i·cal / ˌspēlēəˈläjikəl/ adj.spe·le·ol·o·gist / -jist/ n.

speleology

views updated Jun 27 2018

speleology Scientific study of caves and cave systems. Included also are the hydrological and geological studies of the formation of stalagmites and stalactites, and the influence of groundwater conditions on cave formation.