Over 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in the Himalayas have long since been superseded.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 Eavis
UIS President
Welcome from the NSS President
Welcome 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 Tozer
NSS President
