This book documents and describes 32 natural caves from France and around the globe that have a width larger than 50 m, including data on the largest underground chamber in the world: Sarawak Chamber. Artificial caves are not able to be constructed at these volumes and most of these naturally forming chambers had never been surveyed before with little geological data available. Methodologies for studying these large volume Karst chambers are described and for each site, a survey, a geomorphological sketch, a description and photographic images are provided. The process of the mechanical transportation by underground running water, of an insoluble but erodible rock located below thick limestone roofs via digging, scouring and racking are explained through these example to clarify the genesis of the largest volumes in the world. The purpose of this study was to estimate whether these natural contexts could be transposed to the digging of artificial caverns to accommodate underground nuclear power plants. Indeed, the comparison of the effects of the Lucens nuclear accident with those of Chernobyl and Fukushima shows the whole interest of an underground solution. These examples of natural chambers indisputably show that this is possible.

This book documents the exploration and engineering history and potential of two submarine karst springs, Port Miou and Le Bestouan, from the 1970s until now. These springs are the outlets of a vast and deep karst aquifer of more than 1000 km2 near the city of Cassis, France. It presents the latest hypotheses for the hydrological and speleological models of this karstic network explaining the intrusion of saline waters within the system with further applications to other karstic springs in the Mediterranean.

This book discusses Turkey's karst systems' most critical features, one of the world's most important karst areas. This publication has been prepared to assist geologists and professionals working in karst areas by solving several different problems, for example, to conduct groundwater analysis in regions with karstic depressions and examine subsidence problems through geotechnical and hydrogeological studies to solve dams' technical challenges from Karstic areas.

Hydrogeology, the science of groundwater, requires a multidisciplinary approach involving many other sciences: surface hydrology, climatology, geology, geography, physics, chemistry, biology, and more. This book takes a broad view, considers water as a single entity, and presents many examples illustrating the variety of existing hydrogeological problems and the diverse scientific, technical, and social approaches used in resolving them. It is intended primarily for students of Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and Physical Geography. It will also be useful to all players involved in water-related issues: hydrogeologists, geologists, soil scientists, agronomists, civil engineers, and developers.

This book comprehensively reviews the historical background of speleology and cave research in the contexts of archeology and natural sciences. It also offers a summary of selected topics related to the karstic terrain of Turkey. Covering 40 % of the country's surface area, Turkey's karstic terrain accommodates thousands of caves. However, understanding the geology, geomorphology, hydrology, biology, and ecosystem dynamics of these caves is still limited. Despite numerous explorations and extensive fieldwork, this is the first comprehensive publication on the topic since 1984. The book presents the 45 most significant caves in Turkey, selected according to several criteria, including esthetical uniqueness. It covers caves of global archeological importance, such as Karain, Yarimburgaz and UEcagizli, and some of the world's deepest caves, such as Peynirlikoenu, Kuzgun, Morca, and Cukurpinar. The book includes a survey and a detailed description of the genesis, geology, geomorphology, and exploration history for each cave.

This book discusses Turkey's karst systems' most critical features, one of the world's most important karst areas. This publication has been prepared to assist geologists and professionals working in karst areas by solving several different problems, for example, to conduct groundwater analysis in regions with karstic depressions and examine subsidence problems through geotechnical and hydrogeological studies to solve dams' technical challenges from Karstic areas.