TO celebrate National Science week, members of local caving group Cavers Leeuwin will offer tours of Calgardup and Golgotha Caves on Saturday, August 23 and host talks on Speleology at Witchcliffe Hall that night.

The event is held in conjunction with the Cape to Cape Catchment Group, the Department of Environment and Conservation and Cavers Leeuwin.

The tours, at $12 and $6, will highlight areas of Speleology that are of current interest within the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, particularly geology, fossil deposits, and climate change research, including the determination of past rainfall patterns.

Some current research is aiming to offer an historical rainfall record of up to 800 years, giving other scientists working in areas of climate change increased long term data.

Event organiser and caver Jay Anderson said the day will be both educational and fun.

“Speleology, the science of caves, incorporates so many other fields of science,” she said.

“As they say scientific disciplines from A to Z, Archeology to Zoology, as well as Biology, Climatology and others.

“Plus it is all a bit adventurous, walking in the National Park and exploring dark places.

“In terms of more obvious climate change, when we are moving through caves we are actually following the underground stream courses that formed those caves.

“They can be very effective places to measure change in underground water flow.

“The talks, which are free and will commence at 6.30pm, will cover various water related subjects.”

As well as general caving, local geologist and author Peter Lane will give a presentation on the geology of the area and DEC cave manager and zoologist Anne Wood will give a presentation on the cave dwelling fauna of the region.

A wildflower walk will be held on the day at 10am.

For more details contact Calgardup Cave on 9757 7422.