JASON Foundation for Education

The Cave at Blue Creek, Belize


Tom Miller will investigate the formation of speleogens, in particular bell holes and bell basins, in a karst limestone cave. He will also use this opportunity to conclude a mapping study that he and other scientists began in 1979. The mapping results will be used for the speleogen study as well as for hydrology, hydrochemistry and geomorphology research. Bell holes and bell basins are limited to limestone and flowstone/travertine (stalagmites and stalactites) in the tropics. Within the caves, these structures are generally found in areas commonly used by bats and one theory regarding their formation is that bat guano, which is acidic, makes contact with the surface both above (bell holes) and below (bell basins).

Tom Miller recently returned to Blue Creek to continue his mapping, and reported the following.

JASON V Home Page

--------------------------------------------------

JASON Project Logo

JASON Project homepage || Teachers' Guide || Students' Corner || Search

Gene Carl Feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428
Todd Carlo Viola, JASON Foundation for Education (todd@jason.org)