Science & Research

Geological Research & Mapping

Regional geological research

Our thorough geological study of the Czech Republic (CR), which involves the compilation of geological and thematic maps of various scales and the collecting, assessing and delivering data and material documentation, focuses on the following aspects:

• the deep structure of the Bohemian Massif and the Western Carpathians
• regional studies of the evolution, tectonic patterns and composition of particular geological units
• petrological, geochemical and mineralogi-cal investigations of crystalline formations
• the genesis and paleogeography of sedimentary basins and their thermal histories
• global lithostratigraphic and biostratigraphic correlations
• crystal chemistry and isotopic research
• metallogenesis

Geological and thematic maps

Geological mapping has been among the main tasks of the CGS since its foundation. Following the production of a series to small scale maps (1:1,000,000 to 1:200,000) from the 1960's to the 1980's, the CGS has conducted further mapping in medium scales (i.e. 1:50,000 and 1:25,000). The geological mapping of crystalline complexes and their sedimentary cover in the Czech Republic and their digitization has focused on: 

• completing the 1:50,000 scale geological and thematic maps
• basic geological 1:25,000 mapping
• compilation of a synoptic 1:500,000 geological map of the CR
• participation in constructing a geological map of the Western Carpathians (published by the Slovak Geological Survey)
• collaboration on compiling a geological map of Europe and Northern Europe
• maps of protected areas in the CR
• map of the Quaternary sediments of the CR
• synoptic geophysical maps (1:500,000 radiometric and magnetic maps)

Czech Republic covered by 1 : 50,000 geological maps

CGS has covered the entire Czech Republic on geological and other thematic maps at the 1:50,000 scale. The collection of 1,651 geological, hydrogeological and other maps (such as for mineral deposits, soils, surface water geochemistry, geochemical reactivity of rocks, envi-ronmental factors, and zoning for geological engineering) was published in the late 1990's (Cícha et al., 1994).

Detailed geological mapping 1:25,000

Since 1996 the CGS has restarted the geological mapping on the  1:25,000 scale, which has been interrupted in the interest of completing the 1:50,000 mapping program. The mapped areas were selected based on applications from state and local authorities, and are related to environmental or development problems. Between 1997 and 2003, fourty-nine sheets have been completed, and the mapping continues in the areas of Bohemian Forest, Giant Mts., NW Bohemia, Jeseníky Mts., Žïárské vrchy Mts., Vsetín area, Maleník-Poodøí and elsewhere.