Latest geological insights into the Říp Hill volcano

Research by Czech geologists od the Institute of Geology CAS, Charles University, Masaryk University and VŠB_Technical University Ostrava revealed that the legendary landmark of Říp Hill is a remnant of a volcanic eruption that occurred over 26 million years ago. This hill, cocated near the zone of significant Tertiary volcanic activity (Ohře Graben), was formed during a subsurface explosion of the so-called maar volcano. The eruption was triggered by the contact of rising magma with groundwater. The sudden conversion of water into steam caused an extreme build-up of pressure, leading to a powerful explosion. A crater was formed on the surface, later filled with lava. This solidified lava lake, spaed by erosion, now forms the main body of the hill. The research was also contributed by two high school students within the Open Science program of the Czech Academy of Sciences.