This document describes the recommended characteristics for the UCC project for a monitoring station dedicated to measuring and studying underground climate. The purpose of this document is to define a shared protocol for the installation of monitoring stations in order to:

➔ study thermal dynamics in caves and their interaction with external conditions;

➔ establish standard, long-term monitoring stations to enable data collection for the study of the effects of climate change on the temperature of the three physical components present in caves: air, water and rock.

GUIDELINE DOWNLOAD --->  CRITERIA FOR THE INSTALLATION OF AN UNDERGROUND THERMOMETRIC STATION

Guidelines for choosing the site in the cave

Choose a location far from significant water flows, basins (small lakes or large drip pools), and with limited or no ventilation. Small infiltration flows (drips or trickles) may, however, be monitored if collected in small containers with rapid water turnover.

The location should be between 50 and 100 m below the surface (vertical distance). It should be far from entrances (at least 100 m), preferably away from major branches, and in any case removed from conditions that may cause evaporation or condensation. Slightly shorter or greater distances may still be acceptable, provided that seasonal variability is verified, which should preferably range between 0.5 and 1 °C.

In tourist caves, the UCC station must be located several tens of metres away from the tourist route and well away from visitor stopping areas. It should preferably be at a lower elevation than the tourist path. Avoid areas with very wet walls or surfaces entirely covered by speleothems, moonmilk, mud, or other deposits.

Ideal conditions include regularly shaped chambers with mostly rock walls or limited speleothem coverage, and dimensions of approximately 3–5 metres in both width and height.  

DOCUMENT DOWNLOAD --->  INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A UCC MEASUREMENT STATION