THE IMPACT OF ARTHUR AND MARGARET PALMER ON THE UNDERSTANDING AND STUDY OF FLUVIAL CAVES IN CALIFORNIA

Through papers, presentations, meetings and site visits Arthur and Margaret Palmer have created a lasting influence on research and the understanding of fluvial cave development in California. Their theories illuminated the role of sediments (along with other authors) in the development of bedrock features and passage morphology; anastomotic maze development in vertically bedded rock; applying absolute and relative cave dating techniques to cave development in river canyons; sinking stream recharge and its influence on morphology; structural control in the development of mazes; and other concepts and ideas that brought a much improved understanding to California caves. Their ideas made sense of many California caves, in particular, those in the southern Sierra Nevada. California cave geomorphology authors who have benefitted from and cited their work include Greg Stock, John Tinsley, Benjamin Tobin and Joel Despain.