Glossary of Karst and Cave Terms
Based on "A Lexicon of Cave and Karst Terminology with Special to Environmental Karst Hydrology" EPA/600/R-02/003, 2002, EPA: Washington, DC., Speleogenesis Glossary includes 2699 cave & karst terms
inception
The earliest stage of speleogenesis. The start of the inception phase marks the transition from 'rock with no caves' (in the widest sense) to 'rock with caves', and extends through whatever time interval is required for gravitational laminar flow conditions to be established in a given situation (see gestation and initiation) [9].
Search Glossary: