SKP2000-2004 Dutch report a fact

The first Dutch draft of our SKP2000-2004 is being finalized, all cave maps are drawn. This version will be revised over the next weeks and is probably ready for publication in April. The translation into English is scheduled for the UIS meeting in Athens during August.

UNIQUE Collectors Item

UNIQUE Collectors Item: Our project and website seems to be a source of inspiration to writers. Last year a Science Adventure, titled: "Pirates, Bats, and Dragons" written by the American Prof. M. Davis and illustrated by William Simpson came out. It's a story about 3 young scientists who organise an expedition to the Soqotran cave systems. We contacted Mike Davis, who kindly told us our project had been an inspiration for him and offered all core SKP members a free copy. Thanks Mike, it's a real adventurous story! For more, information just click on the picture of the book below. If Hollywood should shows any interest, just send an e-mail first.
More reliable Tsunami news in coming in: between 40 and 80 fishing boats are destroyed and one child drowned near Qalansiya. Below some satellite imagery which demonstrates how "lucky" the Soqotri were, not being hit by a high(er) energy wave. Also take a look at the Friends of Soqotra website (see links).

A Tsunami hits the coast of Soqotra, just after SKP6

The Tsunamis also struck the Soqotran coast as higher tides were experienced (info JK). According to news arrived in Sana'a more than 40 fishing boots are missed near Nogeed and children died at Qalansiya! No news from the east coast or Hadibu... we'll keep you informed!
The complete SKP6 diary with pictures is updated, the translation in English will probably be for next year, my apologies.
After returning from Yemen we were invited by the Soroptimist Belgium (Westhoek) on Friday December 10th at the Casino of Koksijde, with the participation of Unesco Vlaanderen.The main theme of the evening was the water scarcity in Third World countries, with the SKP-project as an example. After an introduction, Rik Martens showed his new documentary "Vloeibaar goud" (liquid gold), followed by a powerpoint presentation by myself and finalised with a round table discussion. The day after my wife and I left for the Annual Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting in San Francisco (USA). Great to meet other speleothem scientist in a motivating scientific environment.
Have a great Christmas and a happy new year, superb holidays!

SKP6 got a green light!

Fortunately Yemenia flies to Soqotra again, so SKP6 can take place after all. Between November 26th and December 6th we will explore more cave systems with a team of 3 geologists, a biologist and a maritime archaeologist. A scientific adventure during the Monsoon rainy period! A detailed report will be published next month.

Flights cancel due to the Ramadan...

Our SKP6 expedition in postponed, because Yemenia Airlines decided NOT to fly to Soqotra during Ramadan this year?! We are currently re-scheduling. The Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh (RBGE) Scotland, will organise the Soqotra exhibition in 2006 instead of 2005. Our expedition report SKP1-5 will be published at the end of this year, we will let you know where and when.

Friends of Soqotra and SKP

Some new initiatives are ready to start, more information available soon. Our research concerning the "Underground Freshwater potential of Soqotra: Present, Past and Future" was well attended at the annual meeting of the Friends of Soqotra (FOS) in London. The Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh (RBGE) Scotland, will organise an exhibition about Soqotra Island medio 2005.

Finally some good satellite images of Soqotra

A big step forward! Thanks to a "Golden" contact we obtained the satellite images of Soqotra. At the moment we are looking if the creation of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) is possible. Some speleothems are dated, giving the research a big push in the right direction.