Cartography Salon Judging Criteria

Core Elements

Quality Factors

Skill Factors

Other Factors

Total Possible

The name or section of the cave must be clearly marked. Points are deducted for abbreviations.

Can range from general (state, county, municipality, or country) to specific geographic coordinates. If coordinates are used, they must include all information needed to be clear: coordinate system name, units, and datum.

All maps must have an obvious entrance, or a clearly indicated connection to the remainder of the cave. Can these be found immediately by the reader?

A directional reference oriented to north. True north is preferred. If magnetic north is shown, a date must accompany it. The arrow may show both true and magnetic north. It must be long enough to be usable and not so ornate as to be unclear.

A bar scale must be included and must display linear units. A text-only scale (e.g., 1" = 20 feet) scores only 1 point, as it becomes inaccurate if the map is reproduced at a different size. Ratio scales (e.g., 1:600) are not accepted. Cave length should also be indicated.

The vertical extent of the cave must be indicated either numerically or graphically (profile view, contours, cross-sections, or vertical symbols). A reference datum should be labeled near the cave's dominant entrance. The map should include sufficient information on ceiling heights, pit depths, cave elevations, and water depths. Horizontal caves are not exempt. If a profile is shown, it must include a vertical bar scale, be labeled by type (Projected, Expanded, or Idealized Profile), and cover the full extent of the cave. It should correspond accurately to the plan view.

The date or date range of the survey must be included, along with credit to the surveyors. May also include acknowledgment of project leaders, data reducers, cartographers, government agencies, and landowners.

Symbols must be explained either through a legend key or by referencing a standard symbol set (NSS, AMCS, MSS, etc.). Any non-standard cave symbols must be defined in a legend.

All maps should include cross-sections. Detail inside cross-sections must match that shown on the plan and profile views. Cross-section lines should be arrowed to indicate the direction of view, should show the horizontal and vertical relationships of adjacent passages, and should not touch the cave outline. They may be placed adjacent to the passage or flagged with letters or numbers and placed elsewhere on the map.

The map must clearly identify who produced it and the year of cartography. If a copyright is included, it must be dated.

A border defines the document limits. All maps should include one; some maps use a double border.

All elements of the map should appear well-balanced to the eye. White space should be used so that elements are neither too crowded nor leave too much random open space. Does the map have strong overall visual appeal?

Is there too little or too much passage detail? Is detail consistent throughout the entire map? Does it match the legend or symbol set? Could a caver navigate through the cave using the map? Do the most important features (passage walls) carry the heaviest line weight? Do line widths become progressively finer as importance declines — or are all lines the same weight, as in a CAD drawing?

Is labelling consistent in font type, size, and style (bold, italics, etc.)? Is the largest font size reserved for the title, with other text elements grading down appropriately? Are there any typographical errors?

The survey method should be identified by instrument type — for example: Topofil, Brunton and pace, Suunto and fiberglass tape, DistoX, BRIC — and/or by survey grade.

How difficult was this map to produce? Evaluated on a scale of 1–10, where 5 represents average difficulty. Factors may include cave complexity, survey conditions, and representational challenges.

New or unusual methods used to represent items on the map or to present the map itself. Creative solutions that enhance the reader's understanding of the cave are recognized here.

Is there a clear visual and intellectual hierarchy of map elements? Visual hierarchy is the purposeful arrangement of elements to guide the viewer's eye and emphasize the most important information. Conceptual hierarchy is the deliberate ranking of elements by importance and relevance, ensuring critical information is prominently displayed and secondary details are presented with appropriate subtlety.

How are complex conditions shown on the map? For example: mazes, overlapping or underlying passages, complex vertical profiles, multi-level caves. The clarity and effectiveness of these representations will be evaluated.

Surface terrain, inset maps, geology, history, archaeology, cultural context, and similar information. Survey stations are generally not shown on final maps unless the map will be used for future geological, biological, or paleontological work.

Unobtrusive artistic drawings or photographs of the cave entrance or notable features may be included. These can enhance the map greatly, but must not dominate or obstruct map features.

Passages should be shown as they end. Passages that became too small, too high, or were otherwise beyond the surveyors' abilities or time should be shown as continuing. The notations "Too Tight" or "Too Small" may or may not be used.

Data about the quality of the survey: loop closure information, age and mix of survey notes, shot lengths, and similar metadata that help the reader understand the accuracy and completeness of the data behind the map.