Cave Survey Archive
Any serious research which deals with caves requires the use of a survey, or map, of the caves. The Society has, therefore carried out a great deal of survey work and has published in its Proceedings a large number of cave surveys.
However, the use of computers has made it possible to use survey data in new and different ways. We are therefore making available data from our archives in formats that might be used in novel ways to view aspects of cave layout and structure. In the first instance, we are making available “Survex” 3D files of certain caving areas. Survex is probably the most commonly used cave survey software in the UK and its viewer is one of the most flexible and easy to use. You can download Survex for free. Alternatively, the files can be viewed using the "Therion" viewer. Therion can also be downloaded, from here, for free. As well as Survex, itself, the output has benefitted from the use of Mike McCombe's TerrainTool to add surface detail. TerrainTool is hosted by the Society on Mike's behalf.
Although the output 3D files are being made freely available, the underlying data is not. This is partially to allow some version control and partially because much of the data has been contributed by others and we do not hold copyright on it. In due course, we will, hopefully, release the files in other ways, such as by producing mashups allowing the plan view to be viewed with Google Earth.
Burrington Master Survey
Project Details
This project arose from the need to supply comprehensive survey data for a study of the cave geomorphology of all the caves of the Burrington Combe area. The Master Survey is a compilation of data on all the caves. It is held as a Survex file and the output consists of a 3D file readable by Aven. Once complete, the 3D file will be made freely available and, in due course, we will produce a mashup allowing the plan view to be viewed with Google Earth.
File download
The 3D Burrington Master Survey
compiled by University of Bristol Spelaeological Society
is available and is released under a
Creative Commons license.
Contributors
The original data comes from the sources listed below. Plans based on this data have been published in some cases and the references are given also. This is not a comprehensive list of previous published surveys , but only those based on parts of this dataset.
- Aveline's Hole: Data from Dr Roger Stenner, original publication by BEC (Howell, C., Irwin, D.J. and Stuckey, D. A Burrington Cave Atlas BEC Caving Report 17.)
- Bos Swallet: Data from UBSS
- Drunkard's Hole: Data from Carmen Smith
- East Twin Swallet, Spar Pot, Lionel's Hole: Data from David Cundy
- Goatchurch Cavern: Data from Chris Binding/UBSS
- Pierre's Pot: Data from P. & A. Moody, Steve Cottle & J. Cordingley; original publication by UBSS (Mullan,G.J., 1999. Mendip Cave Notes. UBSS Proceedings, 21. (2) pp 189-191)
- Read's Cavern: Data from W.I. Stanton; original publication by WCC (Stanton, W.I. The new survey of Read's Cavern. Journal of the Wessex Cave Club 10. (115) pp 9-12 )
- Sidcot Swallet: Data from Carmen Smith & Andrew Atkinson
- Rods Pot and Bath Swallet: Data from Andy Sparrow and the Cheddar Caving Club.
It is intended, in so far as it is possible, to keep this dataset up to date. Any queries about this project and any offers of additional data should be sent to editor[at]ubss.org.uk
Cheddar Catchment Area Survey
This project also arose from the need to support a geomorphological study, this time owing to the major finds that have been made in Charterhouse Cave since 2008. Again, this has been a collaborative project drawing on the work of many Mendip surveyors and clubs. It is also intended to add to this dataset as more information becomes available and to make it as comprehensive as possible. The current version includes cave finds to the end of 2009. Archive data is being added as it becomes available and is transcribed.
For the best view of this file, turn on "entrances" and "surface surveys" and view at an angle.
File download
The 3D Cheddar Catchment Area Survey
compiled by University of Bristol Spelaeological Society
is available and is released under a
Creative Commons license.
A more complex and therefore larger file is also available for viewing using only the "Therion" viewer. This model remains very much "work in progress" as we need to improve aspects of our dataset in order to remove certain artefacts from the display. It does show what can be done, however, using modern survey programs.
File download
The 3D Cheddar Catchment Area Survey (loch version)
compiled by University of Bristol Spelaeological Society
is available and is released under a
Creative Commons license.
Contributors
The original data comes from the sources listed below. Plans based on this data have been published in some cases and the references are given also. This is not a comprehensive list of previous published surveys , but only those based on parts of this dataset.
- Tynings Barrows Swallet: Originally surveyed by BEC and GSG, drawn by D.J. Irwin and published by BEC. Available from Mendip Cave Registry and Archive. Digitised by Alex Crowe and Andrew Atkinson
- G.B. Cave: Data from UBSS, plans originally published by UBSS in 1951, 1969 and 1984.
- Charterhouse Cave: Data from P. & A. Moody and the Charterhouse digging team Pete Moody, Alison Moody, Pete Hann, John Cooper, Andrew Atkinson and Simon Flower. Plan originally published in 1984. This model includes finds up to the end of 2009.
- Tynings Great Swallet: Data from Tony Boycott. Survey originally published in 2005.
- Rhino Rift: Originally surveyed by W.I. Stanton and published by WCC. This is original data provided by Phil Rowsell.
- Longwood Swallet: Originally surveyed by MCG, drawn by Mike Rennie in 1961 and revised by Tony Knibbs in 1984. Available from Mendip Cave Registry and Archive. Digitised by Phil Rowsell. Does not currently include data for Reynolds Passage.
- Manor Farm Swallet: Originally surveyed by W.I. Stanton and published in 1974. Additional data supplied by P.L. Smart & T.C. Atkinson and a revised plan was published in 1999. This data does not include Rifts and Ruckles extension, made by BEC, or Sarum Inlet, by Salisbury Caving Group, or more recent extensions.
- Upper Flood Swallet: All data courtesy of the MCG. The original survey is available from their website.
- Blackmoor Swallet, or Stainsby's Shaft: Data by courtesy of Alan Gray.
- Waterwheel Swallet: Data from W.I. Stanton, plans originally published by UBSS in 1987.
- Grebe Swallet: Data from W.I. Stanton, plans originally published by UBSS in 1991.
- Reservoir Hole and White Spot Cave: Unpublished data from W.I. Stanton.
- Gough's Old Cave, Long Hole and Great Oones Hole: originally surveyed by W.I. Stanton. Available from Mendip Cave Registry and Archive.
- The surface survey has been generated by Mike McCombe's TerrainTool; additional information from Bill Chadwick.
Thanks are due to all the above. Most of the technical stuff has been done by Andrew Atkinson; Graham Mullan typed in much of the archive date.
The Caves of County Clare
Much of the fieldwork carried out by the Society over the years has been in Co. Clare Ireland and we have been responsible for surveying over 50 km of passage, there. Descriptions of the caves, including many surveys are available in both our Proceedings and in our guide book to the area, The Caves of County Clare and South Galway. Most of the data has been supplied by members of the Society, but some is from other sources. Particular thanks must go to Colin Bunce and other members of the Spelaeological Union of Ireland. It is hoped to improve this dataset and keep it up to date, as well. As above, any queries about this project and any offers of additional data should be sent to editor[at]ubss.org.uk
File download
The Caves of the Burren 3D file
compiled by University of Bristol Spelaeological Society
is available and is released under a
Creative Commons license.
The Little Neath River Cave
This South Wales cave was discovered by the Society in the 1960s and explored and surveyed between 1967 and 1987. Three reports on the cave were published in our Proceedings, a preliminary report, by Mike Norton, Dave Savage and Peter Standing; the most comprehensive report by Standing, Malcolm Newsom and Adrian Wilkins and a follow up by Graham Mullan. "Neath" was the first cave survey to be compiled by the Society using computer software rather than traditional methods. The current 3D file, however, is a modern production. The survey work was carried out by a large number of Society members, with assistance from members of other clubs, in particular the Cave Diving Group, the Cwmbran Caving Club and the Westminster Speleological Group. We are grateful for their support. The current version of the file also has surface detail added, using data generated with Mike McCombe's "TerrainTool" utility. Just turn on "view surface legs".
File download
The Little Neath River Cave 3D file
by University of Bristol Spelaeological Society
is available and is released under a
Creative Commons license.