Speleology to cave science in the world. The growth of speleology is directly linked with that of the sport of caving, both because of the stimulation of public interest and awareness, and the fact that most speleological field-work has been conducted by sport cavers. The creation of an accurate, detailed map is one of the most common technical activities undertaken within a cave. Cave maps, called "surveys", can be used to compare caves to each other by length, depth and volume, may reveal clues on speleogenesis, provide a spatial reference for further scientific study, and assist visitors with route-finding. Caves provide
French Federation of Speleology offered assistance (including financial) to cavers and prepared special legislation for the exploration, discovery and exploitation of underground systems. The published a quarterly newsletter and a "Spelunca" journal (2nd series) for the publication of scientific papers and detailed accounts of exploration. On 1 March 1936, proposed by Bernard Gèze, the became the (SSF), residing in Nîmes at the Natural History Museum. The intention was to give national status to a hitherto only regional group. The SSF admitted subsidiaries and affiliates. It also continued the publication of "Spelunca". The first national speleological conference took place in Mazamet in 1939. Unlike the