ACTA CARSOLOGICA

33/1

22

319-328

LJUBLJANA 2004

COBISS:1.04

HIGH-ACCURACY GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION

OF UNDERGROUND KARST FEATURES AND FORMATIONS
IN CAVE MAPPING
VISOKO LOLJIVA GRAFINA PREDSTAVITEV PODZEMSKIH
KRAKIH OBLIK
GBOR SZUNYOGH1

Dr. Szunyogh Gbor, Berzsenyi Dniel Fiskola, Fizika Tanszk, Szombathely, Krolyi Gspr tr 4, H 9700,
e-mail: szgabor@deimos.bdtf.hu

Prejeto / received: 9. 2. 2004

Acta carsologica, 33/1 (2004)

Abstract

UDC: 551.44:528.94

Gbor Szunyogh: High-accuracy graphic representation of underground karst features and formations
during cave mapping
We attempt to develop a new method of cave mapping, which would be superior in terms of the amount and
quality of the documented information, relative to the standard methods of cave survey. The method envisages
that everything that can be seen in the cave which is being surveyed, e.g., corrosional features, cave formations, water bodies, fallen rock blocks, fractures in cave walls, artificial (engineering) structures, etc., must
be represented on the map. The method employs the traditional system of map symbols; the accuracy of the
produced map, however, approaches the accuracy of the engineering survey maps. The maps accurately render
positions, shapes and dimensions of cave features: for example all stalagmites with diameters greater than ca. 10
cm, and all rock blocks with linear sizes exceeding 0.5 m are shown on the maps individually. In the report we
will elaborate on the most important aspects of this mapping method, including stages of survey and mapping,
system of drawing, map symbols.
Key words: cave mapping, engineering, Baradla cave, Bke cave, cave atlas, detailed survey.
Izvleek

UDC: 551.44:528.94

Gbor Szunyogh: Visoko loljiva grafina predstavitev podzemskih krakih oblik

Prispevek predstavlja poskus razvoja nove metode kartiranja jam. Metoda nadgrajuje klasino kartiranje z vejo
koliino in natannostjo podatkov, pri emer predvideva, da na jamski nart vnesemo vse kar v jami vidimo:
korozijske oblike, vodna telesa, podorne bloke, razpoke v jamskih stenah, umetne posege v jamo itd. Metoda
uporablja tradicionalen nabor simbolov, pri emer loljivost ustreza loljivosti inenirskih nartov. Na karti so
natanno predstavljene lokacija, oblika in dimenzija jamskih oblik; npr. vsi stalagmiti z premerom nad 10 cm in
vsi bloki z linearno dimenzijo nad 0.5 m so posamino prikazani. Prispevek obravnava najpomembneje vidike
te metode, predstavi razline faze meritev in kartiranja, nain risanja in kartografske simbole.
Kljune besede: kartiranje jam, jama Baradla , jama Bke, atlas jam, natanna izmera jam.

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ANTECEDENTS
Since the 18th century the detailed surveying of caves has been the object of many well-known
surveyors, e.g. Jzsef Sartory (1794, in Bendefy 1962), Keresztly Raisz (1806, in Bredeczky 1907),
Imre Vass (1831), Klmn Mnich (1886, in Dudich 1932), dn Konrd (1936) and Gyrgy Orszgh
(1989), who have contributed to the mapping of the Baradla cave. Their aim was partly to produce a
mapped record of the newly discovered passages, indicating their locations by marks on the surface,
and partly to promote surveying in preparation for mining operations needed to allow access to the
cave easier for visitors.
However, changes in the technique of mapping as well as stricter demands concerning mapped
representation of caves required a technically precise, large scale (1:100) presentation of the Baradla: The resulting map could serve as a true basis for up-to-date methods of speleological research,
planning and execution of technical and maintenance work in the passages open to the public, as
well as for reflecting as truly as possible the features of the cave.
Surveying operations for such a map, i.e. one that meant a significant step forward in its wealth
of detail as compared to earlier surveys became timely when the international spiritual value of
caves of Aggtelek had grown in consequence of the Aggtelek Karst (together with its caves enjoying
increased protection) was included in the UNESCOs World Natural Heritage List and partly also
because the need for radical modernization of installments serving tourism had become apparent.
Operations for the new survey were started in 1990 by commission of the Department of Speleology
of the Ministry of Environment and Regional Development. Employing high-accuracy survey, we
have produced a 1:100-scale map of the Bke cave near Aggtelek (Szunyogh 1995). The map is in
a form of an atlas (75 sheets in the A/1 format). Over the last 5 years, a similar map of the Baradla
cave is being prepared (52 sheets are ready).

CARTOGRAPHIC CONTENT OF THE NEW SURVEY

Obviously, the new survey contains the generally accepted elements of cave maps, but has been
complemented by a number of (morphologic, hydrologic and cave-engineering) cartographic elements satisfying further needs set in the introduction.
The border line of the maps of the passages is formed by the contours of the horizontal (so
called shadow) projection. This contour, however, differs according to the character of the passage
in question (e.g. friable, scalloped surface, niches, spherical cavities, fissures, or reinforced with
natural stone, beveled stone retaining wall, poured concrete) (Fig. 1). The various slope features along
passages are indicated by special symbols within the contours: near plane, cone- or funnel-shaped
banks, steep rocks, slopes marked with corrosional troughs; scallop-covered areas; clay and rock
crests (Fig. 2). Further symbols are (semi)vertical scarps: marked scarps of a passage; minor scarps
of ca 20-30 cm maximum height; scarps with scallops, alcoves, crests and bears claw traces;
shafts and chimneys (Fig. 3). Lines separating sections of abruptly changing height of the roof are
also indicated. The materials of the banks and floors of the passages are marked distinctly: rocky
areas; clayey-sandy passage floors; surfaces of gravely sand or sandy gravel as well as surfaces of
clay or sand mixed with rock debris (Fig. 2). The map shows where the passages are covered with
debris and where ripplemarks are found in the stream bed.
As inundated areas surfaces under water by normal water level of the cave stream are indicated,
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and cave ponors, underwater pits, and pools are also represented (Fig. 4). Special symbols show the
surface of streams disappearing in lower passages and under various blocks and rock arches. Cave
ponds and smaller water-filled basins are also shown. Drawn to scale the map also contains individual
typical features of caved-in masses markedly determining the caves aspect, and special symbols for
smaller (thinner than 10- 15 cm) and larger (thicker than 10- 15 cm) stalagmites, groups of dripstone,
flowstones, oblique stalagmites and stalactites and toppled dripstone columns (Fig. 4).

Fig. 1: Symbols of the border line of the passages.

Fig. 2: Symbols of various slope features along passages and materials of the banks and floors of
the passages.
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The information on the map sheets includes interior passage heights, the comparative heights
of significant cave formations, numbered stops along guided cave tours (displayed on boards in the
cave), further, numbers painted on the walls during earlier surveys, as well as location and number
of the surveying polygon points (Fig. 3). Arrows crossed with multiple small lines show the dip of
concrete pavements (low, steep or very steep gradient).
The atlas also indicates numerous non-natural cave objects e.g. concrete pavements, concrete or

Fig. 3: Information on the map sheets and symbols of formation elements of vertical scarps.

Fig. 4: Symbols of inundated areas and significant individual typical features.

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natural kerbs, natural stone support under pavements, buttresses and pillars of natural stone, masonry,
bridges and bridgepillars (Fig. 5). As a result of detailed, precise survey it also shows concrete steps,
steps cut into, or rising above the clay floor and/or steps made of natural flagstones; paths and foot
steps trodden in the clay floor. Indicated are also concrete slabs, beams, boards and planks scattered on the cave floor. From among installations serving tourism the map shows the location of
loudspeakers, reflectors and spotlights and their sheltering/shading walls, of electric distributor- and
switchboard-boxes, as well as of natural-stone covers of electric cables, ducts and other installations
(e. g. oil pumps and oil tanks). Entrances and doors are marked as used in technical drawings (i.e.
indicating their direction of opening).

Fig. 5: Symbols of non-natural cave objects.

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Gbor Szunyogh: High-accuracy graphic representation of underground karst features and formations during cave mapping

THE PROCESS OF SURVEYING

Surveying was based upon a polygonal network. In the first step a measuring line was drawn
(by means of a special stand) between the points of the polygons and at 2 m intervals small numbered flags were hung along this line (Fig. 6). On both sides of these small flags the contours of
passages, kerbs and tracks of the banks of the subterranean stream were measured with a telescopic
measuring rod or (if needed) a 20 metre long measuring tape, and from the data 1:100 scale models
were drawn on A/1 size co-ordinate paper (using a portable tripod drawing table). In this way the
contours of the passages, the concrete pavement and of the stream Styx formed the skeleton of the
map to be drawn.
In the next step the data of other map contents were established and concurrently added. Their
location was fixed either by orthogonal planimetry (measurements directly from the measuring tape)
or by drawing on the plane-table as usual in geodetic surveying. The first method could be applied
where the object to be represented was within a distance of 8 metres (in reachable distance with the
telescopic measuring rod), whilst the latter was chosen when drawing more distant objects.
Larger passage sections had to be divided into two or three, fiveten metre wide parallel stripes,
as stripes wider than these could not be surveyed and drawn simultaneously and with adequate
precision.
As soon as the location of an object had been determined, its shape and cartographic symbol
were immediately drawn in their final form. This mapping-on-the-spot had the advantage that it
prevents mistakes unavoidable during office table drawing; and it automatically highlights not

Fig. 6: System of fixing measuring points.

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Fig. 7: Csipks-kt environmental map from the new Baradla Atlas.

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yet surveyed blank spots. As a consequence, nothing could be mapped subsequently, relying on
the surveyors memory.
The shape of larger objects (collapsed stalagmites, blocks of debris etc.) was ascertained by
additional measurements: first, the highest (or in certain cases, the most characteristic) points were
fixed, direction and length of the main lines of profile were identified with a compass and a measuring tape, then with suitable hatchuring and the use of linear and surface symbols their ground-plan
was drawn.
With the telescopic measuring rod the heights of various cave sections were established and
(with indications of the site of measurement) entered on the map.
Concurrently with the groundplan survey, cross sections were prepared at average intervals of 3050 metres. In addition to their outline the most typical cave formations to be observed in the sections
were also indicated: dripstones, blocks of rock, ponds, etc. Similarly to the case of the ground-plan
the cross sections were also drawn at a scale of 1:100, parallel to the surveying.
Both the groundplan and the cross sections were drawn with special regard to the requirement
that the map should offer a suggestive picture of the wealth of forms in the cave, above all of its
speleologic and karst-morphologic values. With this aim in view (a procedure absolutely new in
cave mapping) features marked in the appearance of the various passage sections have been represented not only by symbols but also by artistic graphic images. This new way of representation
is strikingly apparent especially in the cross sections, and was all the more necessary as due to
their position many formations could not be photographed in their entirety, whilst they can be
graphically depicted (Fig. 7).
Naturally, the final copies were completed during office work on the surface. This, however,
needed no further processing of the contents, since at this stage only the first drafts made underground
were copied without any change onto A/1 size tracing paper sheets. A 50 % high-precision reduction
of these map sheets provided the maps of the cave atlas (Szunyogh 1998).
Due to the Baradlas imposing dimensions work progressed very slowly. Surveying the Jsvaf
branch took about 70 days (10 hours a day) and about 30 further days for drawing up the fair copies.
Work was done during the summer, during one-month expeditions.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bendefy, L., 1962: Sartory Jzsef bnyamrnk 1794. vbeli trkpe az aggteleki Baradla barlangrl
(Jzsef Sartory mining engineers Map of the Baradla Cave of the year 1794) Karszt s
Barlang I. sz. p. 5-9, Budapest
Bredeczky, S., 1907: Neue Beytrge zur Topographie und Statistik des Knigreichs UngarnWien
und Triest
Dnes, Gy., 1970: Az Aggteleki-barlang Raisz-ga (Raisz-branch of the Aggtelek cave) Karszt s
Barlang II. sz. p.65-70, Budapest
Dudich, E., 1932: Az Aggteleki cseppkbarlang s krnyke (The Aggtelek Dripstone Cave and its
Environment) 186. p. Budapest
Konrd. ., 1936: Az Aggtelek-jsvafi Baradla cseppkbarlang felmrse (Survey of the AggtelekJsvaf Dripstone Cave) Geodziai Kzl. Vol. XII. p. 27-40. Budapest
Orszg, Gy., Vid, ., et. al. 1990: A Baradla-barlang 1:1000 mretarny atlasza (1:1000 scale map

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of the Baradla cave) MKBT. Budapest

Rvsz, L., 1967: A Baradla Meseorszgnak feltrsa (Exploration of the Baradla Fairyland) Karszt
s Barlang I-II. sz. p.31-32, Budapest
Szunyogh, G., 1995: A Bke-barlang 1:100 lptk atlasza (1:100 scale atlas of the Bke Cave by
commission of The Speleological Institute, Budapest
Szunyogh, G., 1998: A Baradla-barlang jsvafi kzptra-tvonalnak 1:100 lptk atlasza (1:100
scale atlas of the Aggtelek-Jsvaf Cave Middle Tour) by commission of The Speleological Institute, Budapest
Vass. I., 1831: Az Aggteleki barlang lersa, fekte terletvel s talprajzolatval s hosszban val
tvgsval kt tblban... (Description of the Aggtelek cave with its ground-plan and longitudinal section...) Pest

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