Zbrašov Aragonite Cave:A Beauty Could Be Dangerous

The biggest subterranean spaces are Jurik and Gallas Domes, the smaller Koblihova and Meeting Halls, followed with spaces of Veselá, Marble and No Name Caves. The spaces are joined with each other by crack corridors, where cover and pipe chimneys are rising, and, on the other hand, non-deep abysses and channels are leading.

The other spaces, such as behind “Baptismal Font”, “Catacombs” or “Desert Cave” are not accessible for public, as they are too small.

As the unique phenomenon are: geyser stalagmites, created by means of hydro-thermal process (narrow cone, 30-70 cms high), belted sintres (called “koblihy” - “doughnuts”).

Both forms were established at the same time from minerals, dissolved in lakes of lukewarm mineral waters. These forms are composed of calcite, and their colouring is caused with small ingredients of iron and manganese.

On walls of Koblihy Hall, famous confluence belts, similar to real “doughnuts” are formed. Moreover, on walls of Crocodile Cave, Prokop Chapel and Gallas Dome, the formations resembling kidneys or loaves are to be recognized. The age of such formations was stipulated to 84-109 thousands of years.

Aragonite is and important mineral of Zbrašov Caves. The greatest formation of such type is shrubby formation with needles of 10 cm length, separately ascenting from ceiling, in one of branch corridors, named as “Hedgehog”.

Anyway, the richest aragonite formation is to be found in Jurik Dome. These are coolisses, called “Curtain”, decorated with needless of even 8 cm length.

Gas Lakes are also participatimg on big concentration of oxide carbonic. They are appearing in Gallas Dome and in Prokop Cave, Tunnel, Crocodile Cave, No Name Cave and Death Cave. Some of lower stages are steadily filled in with oxide carbonic (oxide carbonic concentration reaches instantly 40% of its volume, whereas 8-10% is mortal for a man).

Decoration elements are as follows:

- the appearance of cone stalagmites is known in Zbrašov Caves and Hranice Abyss only.

- totally 85 stalagmites are known in the cave.

- the highest cave geyser stalagmite -The Crocodile - is 185 cm long.

- the smallest cave stalagmite is called “Morel”, and it is 11,5 cm long.

Interesting facts about the cave

- the cave was discovered within 1912-1913

- the cave was open for public in 1926

- the cave is exceptional for its filling and very high concentration of oxide carbonic

- the working as well as visiting regime is dependent on every day measurements of oxide carbonic concentration

- a part of the cave was completely inundated during flooding in 1997, caused by overflown Bečva-river. Complete reconstruction of visitors´ tour was effected in 2005.

- the biggest domes (Juriak and Gallas Domes) are open for public

- air temperature in the cave reaches 14 °C. It is the most waremest cave in the territory of Czech Republic.

- cave system is 1240 metres long

- the route, 375 metres long, is accessible and open for public

Text: Tereza Flašková

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Source: Jeskyně (Edice Chráněná území), RNDr. Jaroslav Hromas a kolektiv