SECOND CIRCULAR

We are happy to announce the 4th CAVE MONITORING WORKSHOP that will take place in SW-France,

Les Eyzies (Pôle d’Interprétation de la Préhistoire, PIP), Dordogne,

SW-France, 6 and 7-8 May 2025.

Cave monitoring science has substantially expanded over the past decade in the wake of cave heritage preservation, speleothem-based paleoclimatology, hydrology and climatic change. Progress in the accuracy of sensors, in the automatization of measurements, and new developments coupled with new data reporting possibilities has opened large perspectives for a better understanding of underground processes, especially cave climate modeling and rainfall infiltration.

Topics

The 4th CMW will provide the opportunity to present new research on methodology, innovative sensor developments, new technology and data reporting, best practice protocols for monitoring the hydrology and meteorology of cave systems. We will also focus on techniques ensuring data accuracy and long-term continuity.

Who should attend?

The workshop is designed for researchers who are expert in the field of cave monitoring. Although not intended as a training workshop (this is the role of the speleothem summer school), PhD students and early career scientists who are embarking on a research project involving cave monitoring will also be considered subject to space.

Format

The format of the workshop will be centered around informal presentations interspersed with discussion and exchange of knowledge regarding best practice.

Field trips, after the presentation day, will present monitoring equipment in local Caves (Villars, with possibility of doing a short speleological expedition to see monitoring stations in the wild and muddy galleries with a limited number of persons) and, eventually in farer sites in the Pyrenees, where some more developed monitored equipment can be found, like in the Esparros and Gargas caves.

Outline Schedule

6th May

9H-9H30 : arrival of participant at the PIP

9H30 -12H : presentations and discussion

12H-14H : lunch and exchanges

14H-18H : presentations and discussions, end

20H : diner

7th May

9H-17H field trip to Villars Cave and back to the PIP, eventually by bus and/or personal vehicles

9H : field trip to the Pyrénées (Esparros, Gargas), eventually by bus and/or personal vehicles . Back to Les Eyzies on the 8th May, end of afternoon.

Venue and field trips

The meeting will be held in SW-France, in the Dordogne area, at Les Eyzies, referred to as “Capitale de la Préhistoire”, where many famous archeological sites can be visited.

After the presentation day, will present monitoring equipment in local Caves (Villars, with possibility of doing a short speleological expedition to see monitoring stations in the wild and muddy galleries with a limited number of persons) and, eventually in farther sites in the Pyrenees, where some more developed monitored equipment can be found, like in the Esparros and Gargas caves.

Fees before the 15th of February 2025

After being registred, now you may pay fees before the 15th of February 2025 through the REGISTRATION and PAYMENT sheet of this site.

A registration fee of 110 euros will be charged to cover the cost of coffee breaks and conference lunch of the 6th, cave access and eventually transportation to caves.

A conference dinner, the 6th evening, will held at Les Eyzies too (extra cost 30 euros to be payed at the restaurant for each participant).

Accommodation is at the cost of each participant (around Les Eyzies, and for people who will go to the Pyrenees field trip for the 7-8 May night, near the visited caves – accommodation location suggestions will be sent). If you would like to dinner with an accompanying person, please tell us (it will possible to pay for her directly the restaurant too).

After your inscription and payment, please confirm the following information to the organizers DG and LD asap (see below underlined addresses)

1- Name, Laboratory or other address

2- Which field trip do you choose: Villars, Pyrenees or nothing?

3- Do you have a vehicle to go to Villars or Pyrenees? Can you transport other persons?

4- Do you have an accompanying person? If yes please indicate if this person will intend the dinner (6th evening) and/or a field trip

5- Will you intend the workshop dinner on the 6th evening?

6- Will you give a talk? If yes please confirm the title

7- Will you present specific material (i.e. sensors, monitoring apparatus etc.) ?

8- Please indicate any other requests

Organisers

François Bourges : fbourges@orange.fr

Ludovic Devaux : ludovic.devaux@u-bordeaux.fr