National Cave and Karst Research Institute

10/06/2026

NCKRI is at the Sinkhole Conference!
It's a full day of short courses and collaborations. We are excited to be meeting and working with so many karst professionals from around the world!

10/06/2026

Are going to Geological Society of America Connects in Denver? Come support the Karst Division!

10/05/2026

It’s an aquifer! It’s an aquitard! It’s an… aquitardifer? We break down a relatively new addition to the hydrogeology lexicon for this week’s Cave and Karst Word of the Week.

Geologic units are not totally solid; they contain cracks and small spaces called pores. If these spaces are well connected, water can more easily flow through the sediment or rock. Aquifers are composed of geologic units that store and effectively transmit water, while aquitards are layers that can still transmit water but do so very slowly. The term “aquitardifer” was coined for units in which water flow may be heavily restricted in one direction (usually vertically) but very permeable in other directions.

You can learn more about aquitardifers from Anthony Runkel and Jessica Meyer in their open-access paper published in the journal Groundwater: https://ngwa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gwat.70022

09/28/2026

An aquitard is a layer or layers of geologic formation that slows the flow of water (low hydraulic conductivity). These layers often confine the flow of an aquifer, stopping it from interacting with other water sources in the area – such as infiltrating water from the surface – or emptying into another body of water or rock layer. These restrictive features can also control the flow direction of an aquifer depending on its morphology and the aquifer's pressure.

09/26/2026

It’s National Public Lands Day, one of the nation’s largest single-day volunteer efforts and a celebration of the places that connect us to nature, history, recreation, and each other.

From picking up litter and restoring trails to removing invasive species or simply lending a helping hand, there are plenty of ways to care for the public lands we all share.

How are you giving back to your public lands today?

Find ways to get involved at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/public-lands-day.htm

09/22/2026

NCKRI is hiring two new limited-term (1-2 year) positions:

Postdoctoral Scholar:
This position will help lead efforts to document paleontological resources at Carlsbad Caverns.
https://www.nmt.edu/hr/Postdoctoral%20Scholar%20NCKRI%200918826.pdf

Professional Intern:
This position will assist with addressing National Park Service (NPS) units cave and karst needs through the NPS' technical assistance request (TAR) program.
https://www.nmt.edu/hr/Professional%20Intern%200918726.pdf

Applications received by 5:00 PM (Mountain Time), October 5, 2026 will be given priority. Please submit all applications to New Mexico Tech human resources and include Benjamin Tobin ([email protected]).

To learn more about the application process:
https://www.nmt.edu/hr/employment.php

A complete application will consist of:
1. NMT Employment Application Form:https://www.nmt.edu/hr/docs/hr/Employment%20Application%200423.pdf
2. Cover Letter
3. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
4. Contact information for at least (3) three professional references

09/21/2026

Sometimes cavers and cave scientists need a little bit of extra help with obstacles underground. Today’s Cave and Karst Word of the Week is , a term applied to rope or webbing used for extra holds at a vertical obstacle. Handlines are especially useful for ascending muddy, slippery slopes or navigating short climbs. Loops can be tied in the handline to create footholds. Handlines are connected to an anchor point that can handle the appropriate directional force such as a large rock, column, or bolt.

Navigating an obstacle with a handline can require considerable physical exertion, which is why longer vertical obstacles typically use specialized mechanical equipment to ascend or rappel. Since considerable forces can be exerted on a handline, climbing-rated rope or webbing is used. Even though these materials are strong and abrasion resistant, they need to be inspected for wear before use.

09/18/2026

Please join us for the next KWI webinar on Wednesday Sept 30, 7 central/8 eastern. Our presenter will be Sarah Arpin, a karst geologist with the Kentucky Geological Survey, who will be presenting on some of the research she's conducting as part of her dissertation. Her title is "Groundwater Storage in Alpine Karst: Hydrologic Buffering in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana".

You can join via the link on the attached slide or via the KWI website:
https://karstwaters.org/2026/09/announcing-webinar-on-september-30-groundwater-storage-in-alpine-karst-hydrologic-buffering-in-the-bob-marshall-wilderness-montana/

If you've missed any of the past talks, you can watch the recordings on our YouTube channel https://youtube.com/?si=_2mcTbbq6AbqhU02.

09/17/2026

Please welcome the newest edition to the NCKRI team!

My name is Jenna Crabtree and I am thrilled to join the NCKRI team as the Administrative and Conference Coordinator! I look forward to bringing my experience in administrative coordination, event planning, and strategic organization, along with my passion for caves and karst, to the role. I am particularly excited to support the cave and karst community through the meaningful behind-the-scenes work that helps NCKRI carry out its mission through conferences, education and outreach, and impactful research.

Joining the NCKRI team is both a personal and professional goal of mine. I have wanted to live in Carlsbad, New Mexico, since I first visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park when I was 11 years old. I am delighted to live and work in a place where I can contribute professionally while also being part of a community with abundant opportunities for recreational and project caving. I look forward to helping create a great work environment at NCKRI and becoming an active member of the local caving community, where I hope to be a mentor and resource for others.

09/15/2026