For the SWR's 50th Anniversary, I proposed a joint SWR-NCKRI project at Big Manhole Cave. The project was accepted and now the details are worked out. Here they are.
As most of you know, "Breakthrough Is Imminent!" at Big Manhole Cave. It's just that the diggers haven't quiet found their way to the undoubtedly big section of the cave the air is blowing from. Some geophysical work has been done which shows a void and its general direction, but a more detailed picture of the situation would be helpful. This is where the SWR-NCKRI partnership comes in. NCKRI will bring its electrical resistivity equipment, plus a microgravity meter on loan to NCKRI from the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute at Western Kentucky University, and conduct a state-of-the-art 3D resistivity-microgravity survey. The two methods combined produce information that is much more accurate and informative than either method alone. The 3D image will also give us a more detailed picture of the situation between the current end of Big Manhole and the start of the currently inaccessible void. In short, NCKRI will provide the equipment and expertise, and SWR will provide the caver-power to deploy the equipment that will collect the data. Here is the basic plan and schedule: Friday, 16 November: A few people will show up to layout the grid for the survey and mark the positions for the 112 resistivity and microgravity survey points. This way everything will be ready to quickly set up the equipment for the actual survey the next day. Most cavers will likely arrive in the evening and camp at the well pad near the cave. Saturday, 17 November: The resistivity equipment will be deployed and measurements made. Deploying the equipment may take 2-3 hours. Afterward, someone will use NCKRI's survey-grade GPS equipment to get highly precise coordinates and elevations for each station while everyone else sits and waits a few hours for the resistivity equipment to finish collecting data. Since resistivity involves sending a current through the ground, no one will be allowed in the cave to prevent accidental injury in case someone touches the metal gate while it carries current from nearby electrodes. Afterward, the team will collect and pack-up the equipment. Sunday, 18 November: Anyone who wants to go into the cave may do so. Digging is encouraged! Meanwhile on the surface, the microgravity survey will take place. This survey is mostly a one-person job with a second person along for safety and to help with moving the equipment. Large numbers of people are not needed for this project, but it would be great to have 10 cavers on the 17th for the bulky and heavy resistivity equipment. If you're interested and/or want more details, contact Aaron Stockton: astoc...@blm.gov George *************************** George Veni, Ph.D. Executive Director National Cave and Karst Research Institute 400-1 Cascades Avenue Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220-6215 USA Office: 575-887-5517 Mobile: 210-863-5919 Fax: 575-887-5523 gv...@nckri.org www.nckri.org
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