Staff pick: A Guide to Caves and Karst of Indiana by Samuel S. Frushour

Reviewed by production assistant, Laura Hohman

Those familiar with the geology and landscape of southern Indiana may know what karst topography is. Caves, sinkholes, springs, and disappearing streams and rivers all make the landscape both spectacular and fascinating. Utilizing these karst features and ecosystems is an amazing variety of unique (and often rare or endangered) wildlife. Humans are only occasional visitors to these underground worlds, but having once visited these subterranean landscapes, they may crave more extensive knowledge of how they are formed and what lies within.

A Guide to Caves and Karst of Indiana by Samuel S. Frushour gives the reader an excellent overview in a convenient to carry field guide sized book. Contained within its pages is a general overview of all things related to Indiana karst—cave formation, features, fauna, information on tourist and wild caves, and safe/ethical caving practices. It is everything the beginning cave enthusiast wants or needs to know about our local caves. The color photos, detailed cave maps, and the durable book design are merely a bonus to the information provided.

Sam Frushour, the retired Head of the Field Services Section of the Indiana Geological Survey is what the caving community refers to as a "big name caver." I’ve known Sam for years (and I’ve gone caving with him more than once), so I can assure you of the reliability of his knowledge base. His expertise with respect to caves is extensive, and he’s exactly the person you would go to with questions about caves—geology, biology, history, conservation, cave rescue, etc.

Comments

[Kate Matthen]

That's interesting, Laura. I didn't know we had that many caves around here, and I didn't know what karst was. Nice review!