Miloš Duraj

Unique documentation, analysis of origin and development of an undrained depression in a subsidence basin caused by underground coal mining (Kozinec, Czech Republic)

Abstract This article aims to explain and demonstrate the origin and development of a subsidence basin caused by coal mining as well as to point out important aspects of this phenomenon in engineering geology. Engineering geology needs to deal with a number of issues related to the origin and development of subsidence basins in areas affected by deep coal mining. An interesting case study from the Upper-Silesian Basin in the northeast of the Czech Republic near the Polish border is presented in this paper. There is a clear time chronological succession in the ground surface changes manifested by a ground subsidence gradation, both in their absolute values as well as in their spatial distribution. The phenomenon is documented by aerial photo time series, which optimally depict the origin and development of the subsidence. In the study area, there are changes in the landscape elements and it is essential to be considered in future land use plans. The marginal conditions of the Quaternary geological structure and hydrogeological conditions are responsible for an unconfined aquifer which manifests there as a water body in an undrained depression in the course of the ground subsidence.

Post-War Development of Housing Estates in the Sorela Style Joint with the Boom of Mining and Metallurgy in the Ostrava-Karviná Coal District and their Current Significance for Geotourism

The post-war Czechoslovakia needed to deal with a complex and urgent problem of rebuilding the destroyed industry after the Second World War. The complicated circumstances shortly after the war divided Europe into two antagonistic units. The former Czechoslovakia fell under the influence of the Soviet Union. Apart from the political and many other changes, the influence of this power also affected the style of the contemporary architecture. A new style called social realism (sorela) evolved and dominated also the culture and arts. The initial ornateness and exaggerated grandeur of the buildings gradually faded out due to economic reasons. The classical ornamental sorela is irregularly represented in many localities of the former Czechoslovakia. It takes form of discrete buildings or whole blocks. Among the most interesting and extensive units to house tens of thousands of citizens employed in mining and metallurgy, there are the buildings in Ostrava-Poruba and Haviřov. The localities are nowadays conservation zones due to their significance.

Functional Villa Tugendhat and its Geological Subsoil - Design of a New Geotourism Place

Functionalist villa Tugendhat deserves to be one of the UNESCO heritage sites. The author of this building was a prominent German architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who accepted the contract from Greta and Fritz Tugendhat. From todays perspective, this building is one of the most important pre-war works of this architect. The 1928 architectural design was subsequently very quickly completed and the construction was completed in 1930. The Tugendhat family lived in a villa until 1938. During World War II it was confiscated by German occupation forces. At the end of the war, it was used by the Red Army and later served for the state. During this period, this building did not avoid warfare or later destruction of both the building and parts of the facility. The importance of this building was recognized in 1969, when the villa was placed on the State List of Cultural Monuments. In the 80s was the first major renovation of the building, which is often criticized. The second, last reconstruction took place in the years 2010 - 2012. During these reconnaissance works there were also old, temporarily calming landslides, which were subsequently solved. For this reason, the site is suitable for geotourism as an example of architectural monuments versus geological subsoil.

Selected Black-Coal Mine Waste Dumps in the Ostrava-Karviná Region: An Analysis of Their Potential Use

The paper aims to analyse the options for the use of selected black-coal mine waste dump bodies in the Ostrava-Karvina Region. In the Czech Republic there are approximately 70 mine waste dumps, out of which 50 are located in the Ostrava-Karvina Coal District. The issue is highly topical, particularly in the region, because the dump bodies significantly affect the landscape character of the Ostrava-Karvina Region and pose ecological risks. In such cases, their redevelopment and land reclamation are not easy either from the environmental or economic points of view. It is clear that the redevelopment of such geological environment is difficult, and it is vital to make the right decisions as for what purposes the mine waste dumps should be used. Next, it is important to take into account all the economic and environmental aspects of the locality in question.

Assessing the Geological Environment Constituents of the Neogenous Sediments Related to Various Geotechnical Applications

The paper aims to assess the geological environment constituents of the Neogene sediments related to different geotechnical applications. The environment of Neogene sediments is a very important geological environment for the Czech Republic as it may be found, for example, below the Quaternary geological structure of the Ostrava Basin. This environment appears as unfavourable from many points of view, but there are also interactions with engineering structures that may also have a positive character.

Analysis of The Loess Geological Environment in Terms of Engineering-Geological and Geotechnical Purposes and Application in Geotourism

Loess sediments, formed via wind action, are important geological environments both for the engineering geology as well as for the newly developing field in the geosciences, i.e. geotourism. The paper aims to give the basic characteristics of loess sediments and point at two localities in the Czech Republic, where significant archaeological localities are situated on loess. The first locality is Mikulcice in the Hodomn district in the South-Moravian Region. The second locality is Chtebuz in the Karvina district in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The two localities are important examples for tourists and scientists searching for the sights related to their geological environment. Loess sediments have specific characteristics that arise from their genesis.

Occurrences of Mineralized Waters and Mineral Springs in Kysuce and Their Meaning for Geotourism

Kysuce is a region situated in north-western Slovakia and it borders the Czech Republic on the west and Poland on the north. From the geological point of view, the locality is mainly formed by Tertiary flysch formation. This composition together with the relief of this location created very suitable conditions for occurrences of numerous mineral springs which can be found in this region. The increased concentration of mineral contents in the waters which find their expression not only through taste but also through their typical odour held the interest of local inhabitants already in the past centuries. Currently, they are frequently visited not only by inhabitants of the region but also by visitors to Kysuce. From the geotourism point of view, this region offers more interesting geological phenomena. Some of them, such as a crude oil seep in Korna or occurrences of sandstone and agglomerate stone balls, rank among world unique.

Natural Oil Seep in Korňa - Significant Locality for Geotourism

From the geological point of view, Kysuce does not have such a varied structure as other parts of Slovakia as flysch dominates in the region. Still, there are a number of geological formations, and were included among protected natural monuments in the past. Very frequent are the manifestations of landslides, typical for this type of geological structure, and their impact on the landscape. There are also specimens of large sandstone concretions in several localities, the occurrences of which are unique world-wide. Next, there are several mineralised springs that contain various concentrations of hydrogen sulphide or methane. Such springs demonstrate the abundance of caustobioliths in the deep bedrock. A possibility of natural oil is confirmed by a protected natural monument of a natural oil seepage in Korna. This world unique seepage of slightly paraffinic oil has been protected since 1984.