speleologyn.
/spɛliːˈɒlədʒi/ The scientific study of caves. Also, the hobby of exploring caves.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > [noun] > physical geography > topology or topography > caves
speleology1895
α.
β. 1895 Knowledge Oct. 223/2 ‘Spelæology, the Science of Caverns,’ was the title of a paper by Mons. E. A. Martel.1896 Geogr. Jrnl. 7 221 An account of the position of Spelæology, the science of caverns, in geography.1895 E. A. Martel in Rep. 6th Geogr. Congr. (1896) 721 To make of speleology something else than a mere sport.
1899 Appletons' Pop. Sci. Monthly Aug. 562/2 The southern half of Missouri and the Black Hills..offer..regions for the study of caves, or speleology.
1937 Caves & Caving I. 7/1 The objectives of the British Speleological Association... 1. The promotion of friendship and the exchange of ideas amongst those who are interested in speleology. 2. The study of the geological, hydrological, archaeological and ‘sporting’ aspects of speleology.
1974 Islander (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 8 Dec. 15/4 Press reports..have promoted public interest in the sport and science of speleology.
Derivatives
speleoˈlogical adj. of or pertaining to speleology.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > [adjective] > physical geography > topology or topography > caves
speleological1895
1895 Knowledge Oct. 223/2 It was shown that spelæological investigation would be of value to many branches of natural science.
1900 Geogr. Jrnl. 15 78 The progress of speleological exploration in Yorkshire.
speleˈologist n. a student of, or authority on, cave-research; also, an explorer of caves.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > geographer > [noun] > physical geographer > topologist > caves
speleologist1895
1895 Martel in Rep. 6th Geogr. Congr. (1896) 722 I hope..that the English speleologists may be..incited to renewed investigations.
1895 Knowledge Oct. 223/2 Much remains to be done by British spelæologists.
1955 Times 20 Aug. 5/3 A team of Spanish speleologists from Pamplona..have completed a 10-day exploration of the Larra region of the Pyrenees.
1971 Daily Tel. 1 May 11/4 Speleologists (or cavemen) should explore the Dove's Nest in Borrowdale.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
<
n.1895