15th International Congress of Speleology

15th International Congress of Speleology Kerrville, Texas USAJuly 19-26, 2009

Welcome from the UIS PresidentOver 50 years ago, a number of visionary central European cavers got together and organised the first International Congress of Speleology in Paris. This was the foundation of internationally organised speleology. Then in 1965, at the fourth International Congress in Postojna, Slovenia, the "Union Internationale de Spéléologie" (UIS) was born. Kerrville, Texas is honoured to experience the 15th Congress in 2009. Since 1953, the event has evolved from a European-based affair to today's highly international one with people coming from over one hundred countries.Over this period, progress of the main elements of speleology has also accelerated. Cave exploration is now going on all over the globe, with many new areas being visited. Suggestions 30 years ago that there were no caves in the Himalayas have long since been superseded. Africa and South America are new frontiers with relatively small numbers of caves so far explored.On the cave science front, who, 30 years ago, could have envisaged the possibility of being able to date speleothems to such accuracy. In some areas of the world we can look at individual storms that happened 350,000 years ago!There is still a huge amount to do: paleo-sediment, paleo-guano and paleo-stalagmite research - not to mention formation of caves by hydrothermal solution. Probably no more than ten percent of the caves in the world have been explored and only a fraction of the potential cave science accomplished.What a wonderful activity speleology is and there is no better way of getting an up-to-date appreciation of its many aspects than coming to an international congress. I look forward to meeting many cave explorers and scientists in Kerrville, USA, in July 2009.Andy EavisUIS PresidentWelcome from the NSS PresidentWelcome to the 15th International Congress of Speleology. The National Speleological Society is honored to host the Congress. Our goals are to promote the study and science of Speleology, the protection of caves and their natural contents, the exploration of caves, and fellowship among those interested therein. It is a great opportunity for all to meet and exchange ideas on our common interest, the caves and karst of the world.Be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to see many of the caves and karst areas of our country. There are many pre- and post-Congress field camps as well as the day trips during the Congress.We look forward to meeting you at in Kerrville, Texas.William TozerNSS President