Volcanologist Lukáš Krmíček works at the Institute of Geotechnics at the BUT Faculty of Civil Engineering, where his research focuses, among other things, on geology and the properties of volcanic rocks and their use in construction. “We wanted to create a publication in which experts would find the information they need, while at the same time making it accessible to general readers, nature enthusiasts and visitors to the České středohoří Mountains,” says Krmíček, who is the head of the author team of the book Geology of the České středohoří Mountains.

From Ancient Volcanoes to Modern Construction

The publication connects geological research with topics directly related to construction and engineering geology. It discusses, for example, the extraction of basalt rocks, which are an important construction material. The monograph also includes sections on slope movements in volcanic rocks.

The geological conditions of the České středohoří Mountains can have a major impact on human activity and infrastructure. A well-known example is the large landslide near Dobkovičky, which in 2013 damaged a section of the D8 motorway that was under construction.

The book also addresses the increasingly topical availability of construction materials. The reserves of some deposits are gradually being depleted, while virtually no new deposits of construction stone have been opened in the Czech Republic in recent decades. The demand for construction materials, however, is not declining – the Czech Republic is preparing and implementing major infrastructure projects, including high-speed railway lines. This is why monitoring geological conditions and the availability of high-quality mineral resources is now crucial for the construction sector. These resources include basalt rocks, whose occurrence in the Czech Republic is geographically limited.

What Did the Volcanoes Here Look Like?

One of the book’s most engaging features is its visual reconstructions of the ancient volcanic landscape. Originally created as large-format paintings, they were made by artist Jiří Svoboda, who continues the tradition of Zdeněk Burian. The reconstructions depict not only the landscape during periods of intense volcanic activity, but also the Tertiary fauna and flora that inhabited it at the time. Readers can thus glimpse a world that looked completely different from today’s České středohoří Mountains.

The book also contains numerous photographs and aerial views. Some were taken in an unconventional way using a paramotor. This allows the publication to show familiar locations from perspectives that ordinary visitors to the landscape would not normally have the opportunity to see.

The result is a combination of expert geological perspectives, photographic documentation, reconstructions of the ancient landscape and an accessible popular-science approach.

A Book for Experts and Visitors to the České středohoří Mountains

The publication Geology of the České středohoří Mountains was several years in the making. Its aim was not only to summarize current scientific knowledge, but also to show why the České středohoří Mountains are an exceptionally valuable area and how their geological past influences the landscape, its use and the lives of its inhabitants today.

“Our aim was to present the results of our long-term research to the public in a way that would help people better understand what lies beneath the surface of the landscape we see every day,” adds Lukáš Krmíček.

The book Geology of the České středohoří Mountains: Origin, Development and Significance of Our Most Remarkable Volcanic Mountain Range is published by Academia Publishing House.

More information and the option to purchase the book HERE.