caveswhere

Caveswhere is an online, collaboratively curated atlas that catalogs cave entrances, passages, and related karst features around the world. The project aims to support scientific research, education, safety planning, and conservation by providing standardized data and accessible maps.

Entries in Caveswhere include location coordinates, elevation, depth, known passage lengths, geological context, hydrology, speleothems, and biodiversity records, along with notes on accessibility and conservation status. The database is designed to accommodate updates as new surveys are completed and new discoveries are made.

Contributors to Caveswhere range from professional speleologists and researchers to recreational cavers and rescue organizations. Data are gathered from field surveys, published reports, and open datasets, then reviewed by editors before publication to ensure consistency and reliability.

Caveswhere began as a community initiative in the mid-2010s and has since grown into an international platform with regional curators. It emphasizes data quality, ethical access, and cave protection, and it provides tools for data export and 3D visualization to aid analysis and planning.

The project supports research across geology, hydrology, microbiology, and ecology, and serves as a resource for cave rescue teams and land-use planners. It also raises awareness about cave conservation challenges, such as vandalism, over-collection, and disturbance of sensitive habitats, encouraging responsible exploration and stewardship.