The next Geological Society of America (GSA) Convention will be held this Denver, Colorado on 27-30 October. Six topical sessions on caves and karst are offered this year, all sponsored by the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI).

Following is a special invitation asking you to consider submitting abstracts to the session organized by NCKRI. Afterward is a summary of the other sessions offered, followed by an announcement from GSA that registration for the convention is now open and includes a link for submitting abstracts. The abstract deadline is midnight, 6 August 2013, US Pacific Time.

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

T58. 125 Years Underground: A Retrospective and Prospective of Cave and Karst Research
GSA Hydrogeology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI); GSA Geophysics Division; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division
George Veni, Lewis Land

Join us to celebrate GSA’s 125th Anniversary! Appreciation, knowledge, and understanding of cave and karst systems has changed dramatically since GSA’s creation and especially over the last 50 years. Once considered geologic curiosities and delegated to the realm of explorers, not scientists, caves are now widely recognized as important geological features and karst as a distinctive and significant geologic terrain that covers about 20% of the planet’s land surface. Karst aquifers are the world’s most productive yet environmentally vulnerable groundwater systems, serving as the sole or primary water supply for over 40 million Americans. Cave crystalline and sedimentary deposits are becoming recognized as some of the richest and most diverse sources of paleoclimatic and geoarcheological data. Cave fauna and microorganisms are offering startling insights into geological processes while pointing the way in finding extraterrestrial life. This session will highlight the changes in the study and application of cave and karst systems since the origin of GSA, with a focus on the past 50 years, and use it as a platform to look ahead toward advancements on the horizon.

Three invited speakers will set the stage for this session. Dr. Derek Ford will discuss how cave and karst science evolved during GSA’s first 75 years, Dr. William B. White will focus on progress over the past 50 years, and Dr. Penelope Boston will offer a look forward at current trends and predictions on the future frontiers in the field.

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

Also offered at GSA Convention this year are the following sessions:

T59. Assessing Hazards and Groundwater Contamination in Karst
GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Hydrogeology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
Yongli Gao
Groundwater contamination and hazards such as sinkholes are the two most common environmental concerns in karst lands. This session focuses on advancements in technology and approaches for hazard assessment and contamination investigation in karst areas.

T60. Caves as Deep Time Repositories of Geological, Biological, and Anthropological Information
GSA Hydrogeology Division; Geochemical Society; GSA Archaeological Geology Division; GSA Geobiology & Geomicrobiology Division; GSA Geology and Society Division; GSA Geophysics Division; GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Sedimentary Geology Division; Mineralogical Society of America; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI); SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology)
Joshua M. Feinberg, E. Calvin Alexander Jr
Caves serve as deep time repositories of scientific information. This session welcomes contributions utilizing cave deposits to create time series of original data that capture information about the evolution of geologic, biologic, and anthropological systems.

T61. Karst 2.0: Orogenies and Glaciers and Faulting—Oh My! The Impact of Changing Geologic Conditions on Existing Karst Terrane and the New Tools and Techniques We Have to Study It
GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
Cory W. Blackeagle
Once established, how does karst terrain change in response to subsequent changes in its region’s geologic setting? How are those changes from initial conditions recognized? What cutting-edge technologies are being used in karst research today?

T62. The Epikarst as a Boundary and Critical Zone
GSA Hydrogeology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
Benjamin F. Schwartz, Madeline E. Schreiber
We welcome work on epikarst, including modeling, field studies, and novel method developments, that advances our understanding of hydrobiogeochemical processes, physical constraints, and environmental controls on epikarst function as a surface-subsurface boundary and critical zone.

T63. Transport and Transformation of Non-Solute Materials in Karst Aquifers
GSA Hydrogeology Division; Karst Waters Institute; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
Ellen K. Herman, Michael Sinreich, Dorothy J. Vesper
This interdisciplinary session focuses on innovative studies and techniques related to the transport and transformation of non-solute materials in karst waters. We invite abstracts related to sediments, particulate-tracers, contaminants (especially non-aqueous phase liquids), and biota.

T123. Geology in the National Parks: Research, Mapping, and Resource Management
GSA Geophysics Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI)
Bruce Heise, Jason P. Kenworthy, Timothy B. Connors
This session addresses the role of geoscience in the U.S. National Parks. Presentations are invited on geologic research, geologic mapping, paleontology, coastal geology, glacier studies, and resource management in U.S. National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, and Historic Sites.

Of special note, NCKRI is joining many other friends to sponsor a special Pardee Symposium:

P1. 125 Anniversary Pardee: 125 Years of Exploration and Geoscience with GSA and the National Geographic Society: Celebrating the Rich History of Geoscientist Explorers who have Broadened our Horizons and Knowledge of our World
GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA History and Philosophy of Geology Division; GSA Hydrogeology Division; Karst Waters Institute (KWI); GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI); GSA Planetary Geology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Sedimentary Geology Division; GSA Structural Geology and Tectonics Division
Cory W. Blackeagle; George Veni; Barbara EchoHawk
This session will showcase the intimate linkage between geology and exploration both historically and currently. Speakers will represent scientists-explorers and their contributions over the last 50 years, as well as today's geoscientists who are pushing the frontiers of science and providing us with new views of Planet Earth. Individual speakers will represent different arenas of exploration and study: caves, mountains, oceans, polar regions, deserts, plains and grasslands, jungles, and planetary geology.

Lastly, there is an effort by many karst scientists to create a Karst Division in GSA. Registration to support this effort is happening through a GSA Karst Interest Group discussion list. We currently have more than half the members needed to form a division. To subscribe to the list and support creation of the Karst Division, contact Cory Blackeagle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He will e-mail you a personal invitation that you’ll need to join the list.

George Veni, Ph.D.
Executive Director
National Cave and Karst Research Institute