New Zealand Karst
A Voyage Across Limestone Landscapes into the Subterranean Realm of Caves
Max Wisshak and Stefanie Wisshak
This was the first volume published under my own label, speleo-photo editions, and it set the standard for the high quality of the books that followed. Created in collaboration with my wife and creative partner, it provides a holistic view of New Zealand’s stunning karst landscapes and caves.
Blurb: Karstified landscapes are among the most bizarre on our planet – both above and below ground. This book takes you on a visual journey across sublime karst scenery and into the subterranean wilderness of New Zealand caves. Accompanied by popular scientific texts, stunning images lead you from the sculptured limestone pavements of the alpine marble karst to the grassland and jungle karst of the foothills, onwards into the twilight zone and deeper into the caves. It explores the diversity of peculiar features and creatures of the underground, ventures back into the light of cave ruins, and concludes with karst-related Māori rock art.
Learn about the life cycle of the endemic glowworm and the critically endangered Nelson cave spider. Explore the majesty of cave minerals forming speleothems of all types. Discover the many roles water plays in shaping karst and understand the vulnerability of these geotopes and biotopes. New Zealand Karst reveals how you can appreciate karst as a phenomenon where geological, biological, and archaeological beauty all come together in harmony.
Contents: Foreword / Preface / Karst in New Zealand / Alpine Marble Karst / Grassland / Jungle Karst / Portals to the Underground / Passages / Water / Speleothems / Troglobionts / Glowworms / Bones / Ruins / Māori Rock Art / Conservation / Epilogue / Behind the Scenes / Bibliography
Foreword: Paul W. Williams
– standard edition –
256 pages
232 colour photos and 3 graphs
Hardcover 31.5 x 22.5 cm
5-colour offset print on coated matt paper
edition speleo-photo 2020
ISBN 978-3-9821714-0-1
– limited special edition –
Noble slipcase
Limited to 200 copies
256 pages
232 colour photos and 3 graphs
Hardcover in slipcase 32 x 23 cm
5-colour offset print on coated matt paper
edition speleo-photo 2020
ISBN 978-3-9821714-1-8
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Book Awards
What Reviewers Say
"… outstandingly impressive, a gorgeous volume of images …"
"… it is not only the location that counts, but the sheer enjoyment of sitting quietly and feeling peace that exudes from ‘being there’, a vicarious pleasure transmitted by the images …"
(C. Howes for Descent magazine)
"… stunning landscape images, that really capture the ecological diversity of New Zealand and how these landscapes influence the structure of the resulting caves that form …"
"… the images either make you gasp or long to be on rope …"
(H. Barton for the NSS News)
"… Here, the mastery of Max’s photography is demonstrated …"
"… The entire concept of the book is based on a simple form, upgraded with an excellent design, a good selection of typography and, last but not least, artfully placed photographs that round up the whole of each chapter. The final touch to the overall impression is given by superb print with a beautiful reproduction of colours …"
(P. Gedei for Acta Carsologica)
"… the double page spread photos are incredible and mark a new stage in photo reproduction…"
"… certainly one of the cave books you should have …"
(R. Ellis for the Journal of the Sydney Speleological Society)
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