Pacific Region; West & South

A limited supply of autographed copies are available.

The Xe Bang Fai River courses 6.4 kilometers through one of the world's largest and most beautiful river caves. In 2008, an international group of cavers surveyed and photographed the cave to the high standards presented in this photo-rich, full color book. Follow-up trips brought the cave's length to 16 km. Chapters by various authors highlight the history, geology, wildlife, and local culture of the cave and the Hin Nam No National Protected Area that surrounds it. Edited by David E. Bunnell and Patricia Kambesis. Copyright NSS, 2016. Hardbound,128 pages in color.

Jean G. Shaw: Caves of the Democratic Republic of Congo: exploration, science and history. - 152 pp., area maps; Berlin 2013. For the very first time this volume makes available in English language the descriptions of nearly 300 caves from the former Congo Belge - a country where the cave potential is enormous and still insufficiently known. The booklet is a standard source for cave explorers and it greatly enhances the DRC country chapter of the "Atlas of the Great Caves and the Karst of Africa", released as vol.'s 28-30 of this series.

M. Laumanns (Ed.): The Unknown North of Laos. (Part 6 - 2014-2015: Karst and Caves of the Provinces Luang Prabang, Houaphan, Oudomxay and Xieng Khouang). 115 pp., colour photo tables, many maps & surveys; Berlin 2016. This volume presents the results of the 2014 and 2015 international expeditions to Northern Laos and describes a total of 23 km of passages from 70 caves. Includes the Tham Houay Ngot-Pang Ngoy System (3,620 m long) and Tham Lo (2,103 m), both in Houaphan, as well as Tham Nam Lod (1,796 m long) from Luang Prabang province. In English with German and French abstracts.

Herbert Daniel Gebauer: Resources on the Speleology of Meghalaya State, India. Part 5: Syndai, Nongtalang and Lakadong. - 122 pp., many colour maps & surveys; Berlin 2013. This volume describes the south-western corner of the Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, NE India. Nearly 100 karst sites and caves are described in detail, the longest of which is Krem Lashing (Jaintia Hills District) at 3,086 m. Many caves still await documentation. Consequently, this is a publication for dedicated expedition cavers.

The Trang An-Tam Coc/Bich Dong landscape in Ninh Binh province has one of the most scenic tropical karst morphologies in the world and attracts up to 1 million visitors per year. The region is also famous for its cultural heritage in terms of archaeological importance and the many places of religious significance - Chua Bai Dinh being the largest pagoda in Vietnam. Hoa Lu was the capital of the Vietnamese kingdoms between the 10th and 11th centuries AD (from 968 to 1010) resulting in many historical monuments, some over 1,000 years old. There is also a high biodiversity known from the region. This unique combination makes the Trang An-Tam Coc/Bich Dong landscape one of the most stunning places to see on Earth.

The caves of Ninh Binh province are of high scientific and economic interest. Archaeological excavations have taken place in several caves in the Trang An-Tam Coc/Bich Dong area as well as in caves in the Cuc Phuong National Park, yielding Paleolithic finds up to 33,000 years old. The caves are also one of the main attractions to visitors and serve as important passageways between the intra-mountainous lakes.

This report presents the known caves of Ninh Binh province and comprises results from various explorers since 1986. Although this report mainly focuses on the Trang An-Tam Coc/Bich Dong landscape complex (Hoa Lu, Gia Vien and Nho Quan districts) it also covers caves in the Cuc Phuong National Park (if situated in Ninh Binh province) as well as caves from the Tam Diep and Yen Mo districts. Ninety-nine caves are described in detail representing a total 13.6 km of mapped cave passages.

The book in front of you can only be regarded as the very first start in regard to a complete overview of the caves of Ninh Binh province. On cave distribution maps presented in this report an abundance of cave entrances are marked with many of those caves not having been visited yet. Furthermore the karst mountains which are more difficult to access have not all been checked at all for their cave potential yet. Consequently, this publication strives to encourage more speleologists and karst. In English.

Francois Brouquisse, Louis Deharveng & Michael Laumanns. 208 pp., colour photo tables, numerous area maps and cave surveys; Berlin 2015.

Expedition-style speleological exploration of Indonesia was started on Sumatra in 1977 by a Spanish team from the GESM Barcelona, when they visited western Sumatra. However, most knowledge on the karst of Indonesia was gathered by the French "Association Pyreneenne de Speleologie (APS)", who started exploration in the Maros karst of Sulawesi in 1985 and returned to Indonesia on an almost annual basis until 2001 and visited many karst areas all over the archipelago, often together with Indonesian speleologists. They released excellent reports with many detailed cave surveys and in-depth biospeleological data, all of which are presented in this publication for the first time in English language. Extensive karstological data (morphology, hydrology, water chemistry, climatology...) were also gathered during those 15 years. These scientific results were included in the APS caving reports as well as in specialized publications. The longest caves known in Indonesia is Luwang Jaran (Java, Gunung Sewu) at 18,200 m. Many of the other long Indonesian caves were explored by APS, such as Gua Salukkan Kallang (Sulawesi Selatan, Maros, Kappang) at 12,263 m, Leang Assuloang at 10,400 m (Sulawesi Selatan, Maros, Pangkadjene), Gua Tanette (Sulawesi Selatan, Maros, Kappang) at 9,692 m, and Gua Batu Lubang (Halmahera) at 8,685 m. Also many of the deepest caves known in Indonesia were surveyed by APS. In English.

49 pp., colour photo tables, area maps and many surveys; Berlin 2014 The famous volcanic caves of Dong Nai province are presented in this volume in detail, including the new longest lava tube cave known in Southeast Asia. The 35 caves described have high biospeleological relevance. Furthermore five caves formed in granite boulder from the neighbouring Lam Dong province are included as well as a short note on caves in Quang Tri province. In English.

Herbert Daniel Gebauer. 300 pp., colour photo tables, colour area maps and many surveys; Berlin 2015

An enormous collection of cave descriptions, cave surveys, location maps and references on this major caving area in Meghalya. Descibes 222 underground sites, including Krem Kosati (18,871 m), Synrang Pamiang (14,113 m), and Krem Umsynrang (5,573 m). Also features the first image ever published from the Cloud of the Abodes!! In English.

267 pp., colour photo tables; Berlin 2015. Edited by Liz Price. This bibliography covers the whole of Malaysia, i.e. Peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak, and contains almost 5,200 entries on Malaysian caves and karst, dating from the 1700s to 2014. In addition there is an extensive newspaper biblio covering 1953-2014. Other pages provide an introduction to Malaysian caves and history, and there is a map and glossary. An invaluable reference work for anyone interested in limestone caves and karst, archaeology, conservation, flora and fauna, geomorphology, geology, hydrology, history etc., as well as for the sporting caver who wants to learn more about Malaysian caves. In English.

112 pp.; Rafael Camargo, Joel Despain & Michael Laumanns. Berlin 2016. Mindanao (Sultanat Kudarat) and Luzon (Kalinga and Cagayan-Sta. Teresita). Presents the results yielded by two expeditions who targeted previously untouched caving areas in the Philippines: the mountainous karsts of Sultanat Kudarat and Kalinga provinces as well as the coastal cone karst of Sta. Teresita. Sixty-nine caves with a total of about 12.5 km of passages are described in detail. Includes area maps and an in-depth chapter on the biospeleology of Luzon Island. In English.

Alexey Zhalov (editor). 105 pp., numerous colour maps, cave surveys and photo tables; Berlin 2015 Beside scientific studies on the geosettings, tectonics, cave climatology, and biospeleology as well as an overview about the history of cave exploration in Albania this volume presents the 52 most important caves of the Albanian Alps. This includes the four deepest caves currently known in the country: Shpella BB-30 (-610 m), Shpella Ru (-580 m), Shpella e Celikokave (-505 m), and Maya Arapit Cave at 431 m (+363/-50 m). The volume also has extensive cave lists and an in-depth bibliography. In English.

NFS replaced by volumes 65 & 66. . 338 pages, hundreds of cave descriptions, cave surveys and maps; Berlin 2010. Michael Laumanns & Liz Price (Editors). The "Yellow Pages" of caving in SE Asia. Each country is presented in detail including topographic and karst occurrence maps as well as a description of the geological settings, the history of speleological exploration, a detailed list of the longest and deepest caves (incl. surveys), a list of useful addresses and an in-depth bibliography. Some countries also have maps showing the administrative divisions and other relevant thematic maps.Vol. 40 covers: Introduction & Brunei -- Malaysia (172 p.).Vol. 41 covers: Myanmar - Vietnam (166 p.).In English language. With a German and French abstract. In 2002 the "Atlas of the Great Caves and the Karst of Africa" was released in this series (Laumanns 2002a, b, c). It had two updates (Laumanns 2005, 2007) before a second edition of the atlas was finally released (Laumanns 2008a, b, c). This publication became a standard reference work and an idea was born to use the same concept for compilations on other regions of the world. This resulted in the atlas currently in front of you, representing a region which contains some of the most varied and spectacular karst morphologies in the world. In April 2009 the world's 'biggest/longest' passage was found in Hang Son Doong in Vietnam (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province). Sarawak Chauber in Lubang Nasib Bagus (Malaysia) is the world's largest underground chauber. Clearwater Cave (Sarawak, Malaysia) at 175 km is the longest in Southeast Asia, and currently 10th longest in the world. The "Atlas of the Great Caves and the Karst of Southeast Asia", is based on the "Atlas of the Great Caves of the World" (Courbon et al. 1989), on the "Atlas des cavites non calcaires du monde" (Chubert & Courbon 1997), as well as on the "Encyclopaedia Biospeologica" (volume III) (Juberthie & Decu 2001) and on the "Encyclopaedia of Caves and Karst Science" (Gunn 2004). The "Speleological Abstracts", published annually by the UIS, served as source for publications after 1980. Furthermore, valuable information on the latest French speleological campaigns in Southeast Asian countries was taken from the annual reports of the "Commission des relations et expeditions internationales" (CREI) published by the Federation Francaise de Speleologie. In case experts on a specific country will detect inconsistencies or faults in a specific country chapter they are hearty invited to contact the authors and provide amendments. Substantial contributions will be rewarded with a courtesy copy of the next update of this atlas. In the reference lists the articles that have been seen by the authors are printed in italic letters. All north direction arrows on the cave maps refer to magnetic north. Inquire for individual volumes.

82 pp, photo tables and many surveys, 3 annexes; Berlin 2002. M. Denneborg, M. Laumanns, M. Schnadwinkel & St. Voigt. Report on the first caving expedition ever to Cambodia -- and the only one, which has been conducted up till now. Detailled description of the caves in the Kampot district (southern Cambodia). 11,5 km of mapped passages in 37 caves. In English language with a French abstract. Between 27th of Deceuber 1995 and 2nd of February 1996, a German-Cambodian exploration project on Cambodian caves and karst phenomena took place in the south of Cambodia. It was the first speleological project at all that has been carried out in this country. The German project participants were Michael Denneborg, Bjorn Grun, Herbert Daniel Gebauer, Michael Laumanns, Matthias Schnadwinkel und Stefan Voigt. During the campaign 11,5 km of caves were explored and surveyed and three ancient cave Shiva temples from the 6th century (Funan period) were discovered. This successful outcome was the result of great the personal support from the minister of culture Mr. Nouth Narang and the effective organisation by his personal secretaries Mr. Khuon Chamroen and Mr. Ek Buthan who accompanied the campaign the whole time. We are also acknowledging the brilliant technical support from the German ambassador Dr. W. Treskow and his staff. The fundamental basis for the success of the campaign was the generous financial funding by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The speleological campaign had four aims: * Exploration and survey of the Cambodian caves * Documentation of archaeological objects * Recommendation for the use of the caves for touristic purposes * Training of local staff The results can be summarised as follows: During the campaign 37 caves with a total length of 11.5 km were surveyed. The caves are located in the Province of Kampot. The longest Cambodian cave is Roung Dai Ho near Kampot at 1.8 km of length. The main karst areas of Cambodia near Battambang and Stoung Treng could not be visited for safety reasons. We recommend another campaign in this area when access is possible. In three caves Roung Vihear Tuk, Roung Vihear Preah, Roung Prasat ancient Shiva temples and artefacts from the 6th century AD were found, which show evidence of unexpectedly strong influence by Indian culture in this area. We are sure that further scientific research will provide new knowledge about this period of Cambodian history. For three caves we consider a good potential as tourist show caves. Necessary for an inevitable long-term benefit is the careful conversion to a tourist cave and the appropriate training of tourist guides. One cave is the Roung Dai Ho together with nearby Roung Nakta. The caves are situated near the town of Kampot close to a road. An interesting round trip can be arranged easily in the Dai Ho cave. Another cave is Roung Bat Khteas together with Vihear Tuk. Roung Bat Khteas has some impressive galleries and flowstone passages. Furthermore, one of the three ancient temples discovered is located in the nearby Vihear Tuk and the surrounding countryside is very scenic. The road to the caves has to be improved. The cave Roung Preah Nipean near Kampong Trach with a modern temple and Buddha statues gives the opportunity to develop a show cave with very little effort in a scenic countryside. During the whole campaign Mr. Khuon Chamroen and Mr. Ek Bhutan accompanied us. They were introduced to the basic principles and technique of cave exploration and documentation. For a further development of the tourist potential of the caves we highly recommend future instruction in Germany. Part of this instruction should be: principles and basic technique of setting up a show cave such as construction of paths and stairs/ladders according to appropriate safety standards, enlargement of passages, illumination, advertisement, training of guides, nature and cave protection. A participant of the campaign in Cambodia, Stefan Voigt, is member of the society "Kluterthohle e.V." so that a great part of the training could take place under his supervision (the Kluterthohle is a large show cave in Ennepetal/Germany which is also used as an underground sanatory). The training program should include the visit of show caves in Belgium and France and information about their development.

67 pages, maps & surveys; Berlin 2005. Herbert Daniel Gebauer. The whole Northwest of India is dealt with in this volume. 129 caves, some man-made caverns and wells are described in detail. Many cave surveys. 15 pages of bibliographical references, a glossary and about 170 footnotes. In English language. Special Order.

4-6 week delivery time. 212 pages, numerous maps & surveys; Berlin 2007. J. Masschelein; V. Coessens; D. Lagrou; M. Dusar & Tran Tan Van (eds.). Nothing less than over 92 km of passages from 270 caves. Including the deepest cave of northern Vietnam (Cong Nuoc, -600 m). A standard reference work on karst and caves of northern Vietnam. In English language, with a German, French, Flemish and Vietnamese abstract. This report has been compiled from the results of eight Belgian-Vietnamese speleological expeditions to the NW of Vietnam between 1993 and 2006. Karst and caves of five provinces were studied with the provinces of Son La and Lai Chau having been subject of the most detailed investigations, which have led to a long-term development project in both provinces. During the expeditions 270 caves were explored. In total over 92 km of cave passages were surveyed. Amongst them is Cong Nuoc Cave in the Tam Duong area at a depth of -600 m, currently the deepest cave on the mainland of Southeast Asia. The longest cave surveyed so far is the 2,920 m long Noong Khat. 24 caves at a length of over 1 km were found. 265 caves were mapped in the provinces described in this publication. Two other caves were also added to the list of investigated caves: Xa Xa Pin 2 in the Dong Van area, surveyed by a previous Italian expedition, as well as Cau Cuoi in the Yen Bai province. On the way between Son La and Hanoi two more caves (Co Du and Hang Nghiem) were explored in the Moc Chau area in 1997. In 2001 a further cave (Nam Phe 1) was surveyed in the Nam Phe area of the Tam Duong region, which is located north of the areas that were studied in the Lai Chau province. This brings the total of described caves to the nuuber of 270.

143 pp, colour photo tables, numerous maps and surveys; Berlin 2008. Joerg Dreybrodt & Michael Laumanns (Ed.) Presents the results of the 2006 - 2008 international expeditions to northern Laos. Over 27 km of cave passage from 59 caves. Includes a study on the water chemistry of the caves in the Virngxai area as well as a detailed biospeleological overview on whole Laos. In English language with a German and French abstract. Before the publication of Dreybrodt & Laumanns (2005), which summarises the exploration done between 2000 and 2005, northern Laos was virtually unknown to spelaology. Only a few reconnaissance projects were conducted prior to 2000 in the province of Luang Phrabang. The afore-mentioned publication provided information on 24.3 km of cave passages from 68 caves. In the framework of the "Northern Lao-European Cave Project" (www.laoscaveproject.de) the investigations were continued in 2006 (Louang Nam Tha province, Vieng Phouka), 2007 and 2008 (mainly Houaphan province, Vieng Xai). In the Houaphan province (Vieng Xai) the communist Pathet Lao had its headquarters for 9 years during the Vietnam War. Extensive military and logistical use of caves was made in this heavily bombed region, including underground cave bunkers for the communist party leaders and subterranean hospitals. These historical cave sites are maintained as national monuments and symbolize the birthplace and rise of the communist party of Laos. The caves attract a growing nuuber of foreign visitors. Underground river courses with huge and beautifully decorated cave passages are abundant and many of them are through caves including the 4.5 km long Tham Nam Long as well as the 3 km long Tham Nam. Nine other caves were explored in 2007 yielding a total of well over 10 km of mapped passages. During the 2008 speleological project 6.7 km of passage from 22 caves were added in the same area, including Tham Ma Liong at 1,565 m of length. The 2008 project was subject of a professional film documentary by ARTE TV channel. Another caving area north of Vieng Thong was briefly visited in the Houaphan province. This region belongs to the Nam Et Phou Louey National Park from where several caves were described by environmental projects with emphasis on eco-tourism. Three days yielded over 2 km of passage from three caves, including the unfinished Tham Thia Thong where about 200 m of passage needs to be added to the already surveyed 1.2 km. Many more caves await exploration. The remaining three of the 15 cave kilometres mapped during the 2007 project came from other regions, mainly from the Phou Khoun area (Luang Phrabang/Vientiane province) where the 2 km long Tham Deu-Tham Dout system consists of two unconnected river caves. Overall, 51.3 km of cave passage from 136 caves has been surveyed to date in northern Laos. This publication reports on the findings of the years 2006- 2008.

130 pp., colour maps, many surveys; Berlin 2010. Michael Laumanns (Editor). Everything on the caves and the karst of Burma. Descriptions of over 280 underground sites, including man-made underground temples. ALL available cave surveys, many of which are published for the first time. Has location maps, an in-depth bibliography as well as a synoptic list of caves according to provinces. The compilation also has chapters on cave archaeology, and biospeleology, including cave-dwelling bats. In English language with a German and French abstract. Myanmar is still one of the "blank spots" on the speleological world map. The difficult political situation in the country and the restricted access to areas along its borders to Thailand, Laos and India have made only a few speleological expeditions possible so far. However, over the years several investigative projects were carried out with their results scattered in several publications. Especially in most recent times several expeditions were held. This volume aims to give a complete overview about the stand of speleological exploration of Myanmar. The results of all previous cave projects are presented to provide a solid basis for planning future explorations. This compilation also strives to align erroneous locations, name transcription problems as well as double denominations assigned to the same caves -- all of which occurred in the literature. Furthermore a biospeleological overview is presented, including the bats of Myanmar.

107 p., colour maps, photos, tables, and many surveys; Berlin 2011. Michael Laumanns (Editor). This volume presents the 2010 and 2011 German-British cave projects expedition to South Vietnam and mainly covers the karst of Ha Tien-Hon Chong as well as the Marble Mts. south of Da Nang. This volume describes a total of 4,318 m of underground passages from over 60 caves in detail, the longest of which is Hang Moi Chau (1,003 m long), together with an in-depth chapter of the biospeleology of South Vietnam. In English with abstracts in German, French and Vietnamese. Spectacular karst and large caves are known from central and northern Vietnam, e.g. in the Phong Nha/Ke Bang area (Laumanns 2010b). However, the small caving areas of southern Vietnam, developed not only in carbonate karst but also in volcanic and granite rocks, have not attracted many speleologists up to now. Apart from biospeleological and a few touristic activities (Addis 1970, Deharveng et al. 1995, Price 1995) the rich diversity of caves in south Vietnam (Ha Tien/Hon Chong area in Kien Giang province) was first investigated systematically by a German-British team in 2010, followed by a 2011 lightweight German-British expedition to Kien Giang and Da Nang provinces. This has resulted in the present publication, which describes more than 60 caves with a total of 4,318 metres of surveyed underground passages. This publication strives to encourage other speleologists to continue with cave exploration in south Vietnam as this compilation is regarded as being far from complete with regard to the karst and caves of south Vietnam.

Read about the thrilling adventures of international expeditions to this wild region in "Beneath the Cloud Forests - A History of Cave Exploration in Papua New Guinea". This compelling narrative by Howard Beck was honored by the International Union of Speleology with an award in 2005. An account of adventure and exploration in one of the world's last remaining wild places: the primordial jungles of Papua New Guinea and the strange realm of the caverns that lay hidden beneath them. Since 1965, over 30 international caving expeditions have been fielded throughout New Guinea. The story unfolds like a drama, a compelling narrative of survival both above and below ground. By Howard Beck. 2003, Speleo Projects, hardbound. English, with numerous illustrations. 352 Pages, 64 color, with 31 maps.

J. Dreybrodt & M. Laumanns (Eds.): The Unknown North of Laos. (Part 5 - 2012-2013: Karst and Caves of the Provinces Luang Nam Tha, Luang Prabang and Houaphan). - 150 pp., colour photo tables, many maps & surveys; Berlin 2013. This volume presents the results of the 2012 and 2013 International Expeditions to Northern Laos and describes a total of 27 km of passages from 95 caves, all of which are represented by a detailed survey. Includes Tham Doun Mai (3,745 m) and Tham Nam Oogh (3,140 m). In English with German and French abstracts.

S. F. M. Breitenbach & H. D. Gebauer: 199 pp., colour photo tables and maps, many surveys; Berlin 2013. This is our first anniversary volume! It has in-depth descriptions of over 350 cave/karst sites and also includes the historical surveys of the British expeditions in the 1940ties led by E.A.Glennie. Too many caves are unmapped yet. Consequently, this publication is a unique source for future explorers striving for improvements. In English language.

J. Dreybrodt & M. Laumanns (Eds.): 94 pp., colour photo tables, many maps & surveys; Berlin 2013. The follow-up volume of no. 39 in this series. Presents the results of 5 expeditions of the "Myanmar Cave Documentation Project" and describes 98 new cave/karst sites with a total of 17 km of new passages, exclusively from the Shan States. Includes the new longest cave of Myanmar (Kyauk Khaung at 4,790 m) as well as the new deepest cave (Mai Lone Kho at -160 m). In English with German and French abstracts.

1995 by Anne and Vernon Atkinson.  With a supplement on Hawaiian Volcanoes which illustrate some of the features from Undara.  Many photos and illustrations.  

Association Pyreneenne De Speleologie.  With map in sleeve on back page. 128 pp. 1988

By Max Wisshak and Stefanie Tisshak. New Zealand Karst is a high-quality coffee-table book put together in close collaboration between Max and his wife Stefanie. The book is aimed equally at a readership interested in natural science and at friends of skilful nature photography. Accompanied by a foreword contributed by renowned karst researcher Paul W. Williams, the lavishly designed 256-page work guides you through the diverse aspects of New Zealand karst landscapes and caves.

 

This book takes you on a visual journey across sublime karst scenery and into the subterranean wilderness of New Zealand caves. Accompanied by popular scientific texts, stunning images lead you from the sculptured limestone pavements of the alpine marble karst to the grassland and jungle karst of the foothills, onwards into the twilight zone and deeper into the caves. It explores the diversity of peculiar features and creatures of the underground, ventures back into the light of cave ruins, and concludes with karst-related Maori rock art.

Learn about the life cycle of the endemic glowworm and the critically endangered Nelson cave spider. Explore the majesty of cave minerals forming speleothems of all types. Discover the many roles water plays in shaping karst and understand the vulnerability of these geotopes and biotopes. New Zealand Karst reveals how you can appreciate karst as a phenomenon where geological, biological, and archaeological beauty all come together in harmony.

In addition to the standard edition, this coffee-table book is also available as a limited special edition in a solid and elegant slipcase.

 

Nancy Pistole (Editor). 82 pp., many cave descriptions, cave surveys and maps; Berlin 2024. This volume summarizes the 2014-2023 expeditions of Philippine and US cavers to the Kulaman Plateau in Sultan Kudarat Povince, SW Mindanao). Thirty km of passages in 150 caves were documented, 56 cave maps were finished so far and are included in this volume.

Author Martin Broen, Foreword by Alex Mustard, Introduction by Paul Nicklen

Ten Best Photography Books of 2024, Smithsonian Magazine

An immersive journey into a natural wonder--the underwater caves and cenotes of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, a destination very few divers have ever reached.

Shining a light into the "Underworld" (Xibalba, as the Maya called this sacred place), these stunning images from cave diver and award-winning photographer Martin Broen transport us into a secret and fascinating world accessed from cenotes, water-filled gateways to an infinite labyrinth of tunnels that create the longest underwater cave systems on the planet.

Over multiple expeditions and utilizing groundbreaking diving and photographic techniques, Broen has captured more than 250 different cenotes, their caves, and the dramatic secrets that lie within them, bringing photographs from his explorations back to the surface. Paired with images of startling otherworldly beauty, Broen's engaging text guides readers through the unique features of the Yucatan cenotes: from dramatic sinkhole entrances to decorated underwater caverns filled with rainbow colors; from ancient time capsules that document the fossil record to the critical environmental role that cenotes play today.

With contributions from Alex Mustard and Paul Nicklen based on their own diving experiences, this volume beckons divers, cavers and armchair explorers into a uniquely dangerous yet beautiful and essential underwater world.

89 pages, many cave maps and photos; Berlin 2026. Peter De Geest, Michal Hejna & Jos Beyens. This is an update to Volume 20 in this series, which described 28 caves with 22.7 km of passages. The present volume includes Belgian and Czech expeditions that have explored nearly 39 km of passages in 90 caves to date--including Giniba Cave, 13.5 km long, and Difshelei, 282 m deep. It features numerous cave maps and chapters on biospeleology, archaeology, and paleoclimate research. The text is in English with summaries in French, Arabic, Czech, and Flemish.