Video: "Speleophysicist" uses physics to study the underground flow of water

To boldly go where no one has gone before – it's not science fiction to Matt Covington, an associate professor of geosciences at the University of Arkansas. After completing a doctoral degree in theoretical astrophysics, Covington combined his interest in caves with his education in mathematical models of physical processes. The result? Covington says he's one of the world's only speleophysicists as he uses physics to study the underground flow of water.

Covington understands that he can't thoroughly study underground water resources from behind a desk. He has to go where the water is – deep underground, often moving through difficult-to-navigate cave systems, sometimes for weeks at a time.