Overview of cave survey
Cave survey is the process of going to a cave and collecting the data necessary to generate a detailed and accurate map. In most caving regions there is a cultural standard that any new exploration should only be conducted while surveying. This ensures that the surveyors who put the time and effort into documenting these discoveries get the reward of being first. Scooping (exploration without survey) significantly increases the chances that new discoveries are never surveyed. Without a survey and map it becomes difficult to impossible to study and manage a cave, which will increase the risks of a safety incident or unnecessary impact to the cave environment.
Cave survey is usually accomplished by starting at the cave’s entrance and setting a series of stations through passages and rooms where each new station is in direct line of sight from the previous station. The distance, horizontal angle (azimuth or bearing), and vertical angle (inclination) are all measured for each survey shot (measurement between two stations). This is scaled and plotted on paper or digitally and the features of the cave (e.g. walls, ledges, rocks, water, and cave formations) are sketched. This data is then brought out of the cave where an accurate and detailed map can be drafted later.
A traditional cave survey team consists of three people performing the functions of point, instrument and sketch. However, it’s possible to survey with smaller or larger groups by dividing up the responsibilities.