Department of geomechanics and mining research

The INODIN project focuses on developing the application potential of research organizations (ITAM, CTU, IGN, BUT, CeTTAV) by establishing and deepening cooperation with entities from the application sphere (EXCON, StatoTest, DIAMO, Skanska). The topic of the four-year project is the diagnostics, monitoring and modeling of engineering infrastructure, which is indispensable to our civilization and has a major impact on the living and social environment.

Project objectives

The objectives of the INODIN project represent fundamental steps in the fields of diagnostics, monitoring, digitalization, analysis of materials and structures using computational models. These objectives are aimed at strengthening cooperation between research institutions and the application sphere, while responding to current challenges in the field of monitoring and diagnostics of materials and engineering infrastructures in the construction industry by:

• Establishing and deepening cooperation with the application sphere.
• Failure investigation and multi-level diagnostics of materials.
• Research on intelligent sensors and non-invasive techniques for monitoring structures.
• Long-term monitoring of structures from the beginning of construction.
• Development of digitalization.
• Use of artificial intelligence.
• Engineering measures for the sustainability of structures.
• Use of data for managerial decisions.
• Involvement of the target users.
• Preparation and submission of project applications.

Expected results

• Increased involvement of research institutions in the short and long-term monitoring of structures and materials.
• Detailed analysis of the microstructure of materials for estimating the remaining lifetime using advanced laboratory methods.
• Research into new low-emission materials with low input energy, higher durability and use of recycled materials.
• Reduction of construction waste, input energy and environmental impact by extending the life of structures.
• Research and development of non-invasive techniques and specialized equipment for the monitoring of engineering structures, ensuring reliability, intervention, preventive maintenance and the process of controlled aging.
• Design of monitoring systems at the construction documentation stage for new engineering infrastructure.
• Creation of digital twins and numerical models already at the stage of the construction project with quantification of uncertainties and identification of critical locations for monitoring.
• More detailed analysis of rope anchorage zones and design of vibration dampers for building structures.
• Improvement of cross-sectoral cooperation at national and international levels through establishing and deepening cooperation, co-authoring publications, participation in conferences, submission of international projects and active participation in scientific networks and committees.
• Creating an inspiring and high-quality working environment for doctoral students and young researchers.
• Increasing the research potential of research centers through the modernization of their infrastructure and equipment.
• Transferring knowledge and educating students through lectures, optional seminars, thesis consultations, or mandatory internships in companies.

Within the project, 55 peer-reviewed articles, 37 conference papers, 38 non-publication results, and other results will be achieved.

The Moravian-Silesian Region is a region struggling with the impacts of mining on the surface, not only during the active mining period, but also after the closure of deep mines. In particular, surface displacements will be activated due to the flooding of mine areas, but unlike the effects of mining during the period of active mining, this issue has not been professionally investigated. The implementation of the project will document in detail the state of the effects of undermining when maintaining the mine water level, and thus a reference data set will be obtained for the assessment of surface displacements during the period of the onset of the mine water level after the end of pumping. This approach ensures that the subsequent assessment of surface movements will thus not be influenced by errors from incorrect interpretation of the causes of the monitored movements, e.g. instability of the undermining area, seasonal effects acting on surface objects equipped with measuring equipment, etc. Data collection in relation to the dynamics of flooding of closed mines is a pivotal factor in the responsible transformation of the post-mining landscape, ensuring the safety and functionality of the technical infrastructure.

Multistage hydraulic fracturing of horizontal wells (MFHW) is a promising technology for controlling rockbursts caused by thick and hard roofs in China. Remaining challenges related to the MFHW control mechanism and assessment of the associated fracturing effect are investigated from numerical modelling to field application. This project aims to assess the extent of hydraulic fracturing in hard roofs, and analyse the evolving patterns of MS events and abutment stress during the longwall mining from the numerical modelling to the field measurement. Specially, we will focus on strengthening the correlation between the extent of hard roof fracturing and the associated effectiveness of rockburst control. Perspective outcomes of this project will not only advance our understanding of rockburst control mechanism via MFHW, but also help quantitatively assess the effectiveness of MFHW in a full life-cycle duration and thus to make rational fracturing strategies. The expected results could provide scientific basis for the reliable prevention and control of rockburst.

The main benefit and purpose of the project is to develop the application potential of VSB-TUO and the involved research organizations, through establishing and deepening cooperation with entities from the application sphere, to create and subsequently effectively use of R&D results in practice. The topic is oriented and industrial research in the field of advanced materials, nanomaterials and nanocomposites for their use in energy and related environmental technologies. IGN, as a partner with a financial contribution, started the implementation of the project together with other partners on January 1, 2025.

The aim of the project is development of an expert system of digitized automated monitoring of synergic effects of mining, groundwater and surface water on surface deformations in the Kladno Coalfield. Monitoring address a consequence of mines flooding after long term coal mining and intensive industrial activity and serving as a tool for area resilient development and in the light environmentally friendly area development and climate change. Project contains: (i) validated technology for monitoring synergic groundwater and mine water impacts on the surface, (ii) map of surface movement risks of a selected part of the district related to flooding and controlled pumping of mine water, and (iii) publicly accessible database of the impacts of flooding on the water regime of the region.

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The project focuses on the research and documentation of historical mining works in the Horní Město area, which is one of the oldest and largest mining sites in Moravia. The goal is to obtain accurate data on the spatial extent and condition of the mining works using modern technologies such as 3D scanning, geophysical measurements, and UAV mapping. A key output is the detailed documentation of the Silver Mine and other historically accessible mining objects in the area, building upon previous findings. The project aims to connect scientific research with practical use by making the historical mining works accessible to the public and supporting tourism. At the same time, emphasis is placed on creating comprehensive documentation that will serve as a valuable source of information for future research and cultural heritage preservation.

The extraction of minerals and metals from the earth crust is as old as human mankind. The management of mine closure and post-closure is getting more and more attention because in Europe as well as worldwide many regions are affected by environmental residues such as tailings, waste dumps, subsidences, contaminated water which is the result of unsatisfactory environmental performance of the mining industry in the past. All European countries are facing these problems and many of these countries are lacking funds and capacity in managing these old mine sites. This network of proposers with 74 scientists and practionizers from more than 60 organisations from 28 EU countries focus on legislation, governance and management of these legacies, financing as well as rehabilitation and monitoring techniques to improve implementation to minimize post-closure mining legacies. It will establish an European mining legacy database, compare present legal framework, governance structures and management approaches, provide input to mine authorities, regulators and financial institutions on a social balanced and environmental friendly management of mine legacies, harmonise best practices, standards and lessons learnt for a comprehensive and sustainable management of raw materials’ extraction legacies and disseminate the results to the public through an open access visualization platform. The network pools experts from currently separated fields (e.g. geologists, economists, engineers, environmental and social scientists, metallurgists, legal representatives, etc.) to consolidate knowledge and foster mutual exchange of knowledge between researchers.

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The dynamics of our planet is unique within the solar system: it involves extensive flows of matter within the Earth, between its inner spheres and the surface, and is also a prerequisite for the existence of life. It has enabled the development of human society, as it provides mineral and energy resources and is behind the diversity of our planet‘s landscapes. At the same time, the dynamic behaviour of the Earth exposes humanity to a changing climate, earthquakes, dangerous atmospheric phenomena, volcanic eruptions, landslides and other events that pose risk to society. Conversely, the dynamics of planet Earth has been increasingly influenced by human activities.

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Project objectives

The implementation project presents a plan of work, their description, sequence and dependencies of individual activities related to the solution of the public contract “Determination of in-situ rock mass (RM) stress in PVP Bukov II”. The public contract is being implemented by the Institute of Geonics Czech Academy of Sciences (ÚGN) for the Radioactive Waste Repository Authority (SÚRAO). The aim of the work are to perform comprehensive measurements and monitoring of RM stress using various methods in order to describe and evaluate the stress state in relation to geological history in the location PVP Bukov II. Secondly, knowledge of stress is needed to evaluate the response of the RM to the process of building the underground laboratory (URF) in relation to the long-term stability of the repository. The RM stress data represents the basic input data for the numerical modelling of the RM behaviour according with the proposed geotechnical excavations and is also needed for the classification of the RM by the classification Q index system.

Rock microstructure, together with the fabric anisotropy, significantly influence the process of failure and the overall deformation behaviour of transversely isotropic rocks. Knowledge of the rock failure mechanisms is necessary in solving a number of engineering problems, such as assessing the host environment in cases of the CO₂ sequestration or high-level radioactive waste disposal. In order to better understand the process which leads from microcracks to macroscopic fracturing, the study at the microscale is of fundamental importance. The time-lapse (4D) X-ray computed micro-tomography (XCT), combined with a set of an in-house developed loading devices will be used in the project to monitor changes in the rock microstructure, to obtain information on the failure modes, initiation and propagation of cracks during loading and evaluation of rock fracture characteristics. These table-top devices allow for combination of the X-ray radiography and XCT with the mechanical loading and thus can be used for an advanced analysis of the rock failure behaviour under various loading modes.

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The management of the post mining regions in Europe is important issue for the safety and economic reasons. The PostMineQuake treats the most important hazard related to unexpected ground motions. They may affect the surface stability, vulnerable structures and critical infrastructures. The main objective of the proposal is to deepen the knowledge of post-mining seismic events in relation to surface deformations, plans for long term monitoring of post mining lands, shaking-maps of the fluid-induced seismicity of European countries with coal mining legacy, transnational guidelines how to deal with and mitigate a hazard manifesting as seismic tremors in post mining regions.

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The project has two main objectives: A) Creation of methodological instructions (approved by the governmental authority) for rock sampling and laboratory analysis aiming at monitoring potential contamination of the environment by asbestos during excavation operations and processing of rocks in quarries as well as during tunnelling and cutting for line structures in order to eliminate negative effects on the environment and human health. B) Creation of information tools – i.e. specialised maps of risk areas with potential asbestos exposure and web-based portal for asbestos - allowing users to access basic information on asbestos in rocks.

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The project is aimed at strengthening the international cooperation and personal development of scientists from the Institute of Geonics of the CAS. The project implementation will enhance cooperation with major research organizations and their scientists. The realization of individual mobility stays will significantly contribute to the professional development of project participants and improvement of their workplaces. In addition, higher publishing activity and engagement of the IGN in international projects is expected at the same time.

The aim of the project is to support the professional development of young researcher as well as experienced researchers who will gain new skills and contacts at prestigious international workplaces. The final goal is the strengthening of the science and research in the Czech Republic. The fellowship will also contribute to the subsequent transfer of the acquired experiences to other IGN researchers during the return phase of the project.

The expected outputs are the participation and paper presentation at international conferences and the development of cooperation with foreign scientific institutions. An internal condition of the international mobility project is the preparation of a publication at a particular foreign workplace which will be published in a foreign journal of high impact.

The following 6 activities will be carried out: 3 working stays abroad for junior researchers and 3 working stays abroad for senior researchers - with the subsequent return phase.

The aim of this project was to obtain information on the spatial distribution of geological, geotechnical, geochemical and transport properties of the rock environment at various depth levels of the Rozna mine in the range of 12th to 24th floors. Moreover, it included understanding the influence of the tectonic zone on the properties of the rock environment, monitoring of the development of geotechnical and geochemical parameters with depth, definition of more homogeneous rock blocks in the range of accessible areas, description of the EDZ zone and deposit revalidation.

The final report presents the results of the study of rock mass properties with respect to the presence of a significant tectonic zone.

The aim of the project proposal is to find such a set of geotechnical and geophysical methods that delivers information about geological structure in both perpendicular and longitudinal direction with respect to an underground structure and about its time development and to find a set of methods which would contribute to a superior description of a geological structure of a rock massif in underground structure vicinity. The principle of this proposal is a development of such methods that provide insight into a rock massif. It is necessary to provide and verify techniques involving methods which use only measurements from a surface of an underground structure, as well as methods that work within a borehole - borehole or a borehole - underground structure surface system. For an interpretation of geophysical and geotechnical measurements it is useful to have a special software available. This software will allow to preprocess, to process and to complexly interpret measured data. Moreover, the dependencies between individual physical and geotechnical properties will be studied along with the properties dependency and development trends. Particular goals are: on the one hand to test a set of geotechnical and geophysical methods as wide as possible and to, in a form of resulting certified technology, determine and crosscheck the ones that best suit the solution of the given issue and on the other hand to develop a software tool for integration of results and additional processing of experimental measurements. An effort will be made to find a procedure for generation of such outputs that will be complex enough and, at the same time, understandable not only to specialists who are experts in the fields of geotechnics and geophysics but also to geologists, planners, employees of mining companies and specialists working in the state administration.

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Modernization and expansion of a comprehensive system of observation of geophysical fields operated by geoscience institutions in the Czech Republic. This system consists of permanent observatories, mainly connected to global networks, local stations in selected areas that are important for long-term observation for basic or applied research, and mobile stations used for temporary measurements in selected locations, usually in large areas. international VIs and projects. 5 thematic sections: Seismology, GNSS and gravimetry, Geodynamics, Geomagnetism, Geological and geophysical databases.

The project has aimed at stable operation, development and upgrade of the network of geoscience observations operated by the Czech research institutions and universities. The system consists of permanent observatories (seismic, GNSS, magnetic, gravimetric geothermic and geodynamic) usually incorporated in global data networks, local stations or networks in areas significant in the long-term for basic research or applications and mobile stations which serve for repeated observations at selected points, or for field measurements, usually within the scope of large international projects. CzechGeo/EPOS is closely connected with the large European research infrastructure EPOS (European Plate Observing System). The priorities included user-friendly data access to global or regional data bases/repositories, increasing the number of stations with a real-time remote data access whenever possible, transmission of access to high-level products and integration of data in the frame of the Implementation Phase of the EPOS Project.The cooperation with EPOS was aimed at contributing to and taking advantage of the thematic and integrated core services.

Adjusting the probes for measuring stress in the rock mass for explosive atmospheres of gas and coal dust. Creating software for calculation of the complete stress tensor and its simple visualization around the probe.

The basic objective of the project is the development and operation of infrastructure and research-scientific teams created in the framework of the project Institute of clean technologies for mining and utilization of raw materials for energy use on the premises of the applicant VSB – Technical University of Ostrava and the participant Institute of Geonics of the CAS. The project preserves the built-up system of research teams interconnected with the laboratory infrastructure and is divided into two research programs that are interconnected and supplement each other.

The scope of Research Program 1 Multiphase Rock Environment is to obtain the knowledge of physical, chemical, isotopic, structural and mechanical properties of environmental components using modern instrument equipment, which basically increases the level of knowledge and possibilities of its generalization for the given geological conditions by means of mathematical modelling. This information is the basic precondition for the design of environmentally friendly technologies for the exploitation of mineral resources and also for the further utilization of rock environment.

Research Program 2 Environmentally Friendly Technologies is based on the findings from Research Program 1 and deals with oriented research and application solutions in the area of mining of energy raw materials, use of byproducts for the introduction of wasteless technologies to the mining of mineral resources, creation of conditions for minimization of safety risks based on the knowledge of causal processes, and with methods of valuation and influencing of the rock environment in connection with large projects under preparation that are concerned with the use of geothermal energy, permanent deposition of nuclear waste and underground storage facilities for energy raw materials.

Main research objectives which are solved in the Institute of Geonics are as follows:

• Properties and behaviour of geomaterials depending on their inner structure, type of loading and physical conditions. The comprehensive knowledge of petrological, chemical-physical and mechanical properties of rock environment is the basic precondition for the effective, safe and environmentally friendly design of technologies for the mining, processing and use of mineral resources or the driving of mine workings and the building of demanding underground and geotechnical constructions. The objective is to acquire knowledge of the influence of composition and character of inner structure of rocks and rock mass on their strength-deformation and transport behaviour and to acquire reliable and relevant data that can be used directly as input into numerical models and data for their experimental verification and inverse analysis.
• Intensification of effects of high-velocity water jets in the course of disintegration. The objective of solving this activity is to intensify the effects of high-velocity water jets using the physical phenomenon originating at the impingement of a droplet on a solid surface, because during the collision of a liquid moving at a high velocity with a solid, a short-term transient phenomenon appears, which is accompanied by a marked increase in pressure at the point of liquid impingement on the surface and can cause serious damage both to the surface and to the inner structure of materials subjected to the action of the falling liquid. For this reason, the solving will focus on the study of possibilities of influencing the flow before the nozzle to generate a jet utilizing the above-mentioned physical phenomenon for material disintegration.
• Development of changes in induced stress and deformation fields in underground utilization of a rock mass. In underground exploitation of mineral deposits and building of underground construction works, as a result of these activities, changes in the stress states in the rock mass take place. In the case of exceeding of relevant limit parameters of structural units of the rock mass, changes in stress can induce brittle fracture damage, which induces seismic events in affected areas. In complicated natural and mining conditions, this process may be accompanied by a sudden release of energy accumulated in the rock mass and the origin of anomalous geomechanical phenomena with manifestations in underground cavities. Significant stress and strain changes in the rock mass may also show themselves on the surface, play a significant role in the process of design of mine workings driven in the rock mass and affect the transport properties of the rock mass. The research objective will be to acquire findings in this area and to apply them to mining activity and underground construction.

Within the project, the Institute of Geonics has acquired several unique devices for the investigation of rock environment and development of geo-technologies. They are analytic devices, software, but mainly a servo-hydraulic testing system with a triaxial cell for testing THM (thermo-hydro-mechanical) properties of rocks, equipment for water jet application, and X-ray CT (computer tomograph) for non-destructive research of plane and space inhomogeneity in materials and for crack detection.

Owing to the new unique laboratory equipment, centre enables to start new research directions like in the laboratory of tomography, or substantially enlarge existing research directions - the laboratory of THM processes in rock mass or the innovation of the laboratory of pulsating high pressure water jet applications.

The project included a search section describing the foreign experience and knowledge from similar localities, as well as the implementation part for monitoring the change of the stress field during construction in the surroundings of URF Bukov. The solution of this project has a direct connection to the parallel project Complex Geological Characterization of URF Bukov spaces. It is described developed and deployed a distributed measurement system enabling to read data from different types of measuring sensors, store data and transmit them to a remote institution for processing and interpretation. The DMS mainly serves 6 CCBM probes and 4 triplets of measuring rock bolts for the stress field detection in the PVP Bukov site, as well as a series of sensors especially for monitoring the hydrogeological and thermal mode of the massif. The CCBO and CCBM stress measurements are carried out in this location following the excavation process. In the phase of the mathematical modeling of the stress field, sw tools were developed and subsequently used to determine the full stress tensor from the CCBO and CCBM probes and confronted with the determination of the stress field on base of the wall convergences of the mine crosscuts during its excavation. Safety level ranges have been set based on criteria of violations. Within the report the outputs of the 3D scanning application are described, both the BZ1-XII gallery of geo-laboratory itself and the BZ-XIIJ crosscut. The geophysical works were also carried out at the URF Bukov site in 2015-2017. Within a geophysical survey, measurement was carried out using the methods of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and seismic tomography (ST). Geoelectrical measurement was focused on the right side of crosscut BZ-XIIJ and gallery BZ1-XII of geotechnics laboratory, whereas seismic tomography used the borehole-crosscut system. The results of measurement provided pictures of the distribution of resistivity and the velocities of longitudinal waves behind the wall of the mine working,that is to say between crosscut BZ-XIIJ and borehole S3.

Considerable amounts of coal reserves are located in protection pillars that lie under built-up areas in actively mined regions in the Czech part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB). The commonly used controlled caving longwall mining method is not applicable in these areas, because significant deformation of the surface is not permitted. For this reason, the modified Room - Pillar method (Roadway - Pillar) with stable coal pillars has been tested in order to minimise strata convergence. The four-year pilot project of the new mining method Roadway - Pillar was completed at the underground coal mine at a depth of 900 m, which is the deepest trial test of the method in the world . The monitoring included stress and deformation changes in pillars and roof strata, loading of roof and pillar rockbolts and deformation of the surface. The results of this wide-ranging monitoring of the stress-deformation state of RM, verified numerical models , and other analyses confirmed the stability of left coal pillars and effectivity of roof bolting in the conditions of highly stressed RM. Minimal subsidence effects on the surface were also demonstrated. These results, together with verified technological procedures, were the main sources for approval procedure of the new mining method by the mining authority. With regard to the mining depth up to 900 m, the results are significant not only from the point of view of Czech mining, but also worldwide.

Within the complex geotechnical characterization of the Bukov URF, the Institute of Geonics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Ostrava carried out a series of laboratory and field works in order to provide a detailed description of the geotechnical and geomechanical properties and quality of the rock mass. The works included the determination and assessment of the physical-mechanical properties of the rocks sampled from the walls, boreholes and ground surface in the locality; the determination of stress state and deformation properties of the rock mass using the methods of hydrofracturing of borehole walls, Goodman Jack and CCBO, or CCBM; determination of the rock mass quality based on selected index geomechanical properties; periodic, long-term strain-gauge measurements and convergence measurements, and the assessment of the effect of technical and mine-induced seismicity on the rock mass of interest. The implemented set of research works was supposed to render a sufficient and integral whole of geotechnical and geomechanical knowledge vital for the subsequent implementation of extensive research experiments focused on long-term safety and technical feasibility of the future national deep repository of radioactive waste.

A thorough evaluation of the stress and structural record in granitic environments is essential for evaluation of the long-term safety of deep nuclear waste repositories located in such environments. The international project “Large-Scale Monitoring” (LASMO) leaded by Nagra was aimed at determining a comprehensive way to describe stress changes in granitic rock caused by large-scale unloading/loading of the rock mass. The experimental phase of the project was being conducted at the underground laboratory of the Grimsel Test Site situated in the Swiss Alps. The measurements and the subsequent monitoring of strain changes, along with the analysis of stress-strain relations and special studies focusing on internal anisotropy of rock provide important characteristics of the overall stress evolution in the investigated region, influencing the stability of the rock mass. The above mentioned subproject LASMO belonged among SURAO supported activities within the LASMO international project. The Institute of Geonics CAS, the Czech Geological Survey and the Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics CAS collaborated on this task.

Involvement in this international project provided with important information for the eventual construction of the 3D stress models required for a thorough evaluation of the safety of the future Czech underground repository. The main aim of this subproject was to determine the general characteristics of rock mass behavior as a result of loading and unloading processes under the larger scale conditions of the underground repository.

The main objective of the project was to assess the degree of reproducibility of transport laboratory experiments with the results of the experiment larger scale (dm) and the possibility of subsequent implementation in the actual granitic rocks (in-situ experiment) and in models assessing the diffusion of radionuclides into the rock. The results can significantly contribute to reducing uncertainty quantification of transport parameters tracers in rocks, resulting from the simplification of the real processes using small sample sizes in the laboratory . At the same time the aim was to make a suitable apparatus or assemble a working methodology that would allow the transmission of information about the properties of rocks and processes running in them from the microscale (mm) into the real environment of the rock mass scale (tens of meters). Finally, the aim was to apply methodologies that could anable to achieve the objectives and that have been widely applied so far, for example use of special tracers or innovative modern analytical techniques.

The project was focused on the research of processes in rock environment, whose understanding was essential for long-term stability of deep repository of radioactive waste and long-term operation of underground gas storage reservoirs. The first part of the project was focused on experiments performed to study the THM processes in Underground laboratory Bedřichov, UEF Josef and some other localities. The second substantial part of the project covered development of software tools applicable in the process of complex assessment of particular locality in the context of planning radioactive waste disposal underground facility.

CzechGeo/EPOS was aimed at establish and operating the national node of Pan European project EPOS. The backbone of recent observing system in the Czech Republic forms permanent seismic, tidal, geodynamic, geomagnetic and geothermic observatories. The system was completed with local networks and temporary monitoring experiments. EPOS aimed to create a single sustainable, permanent and distributed infrastructure to achieve integration, increased accessibility and long term continuity and data archiving of geophysical monitoring data from networks in Europe and in the Mediterranean regions. Moreover, EPOS has introduce an innovative strategy based on merging within a single but distributed infrastructure data, in-situ observatories and laboratory experiments and high-resolution and high-performance computational tools bridging the gap between observational and geophysical modelling by linking advanced simulation technology and processing facilities directly to the observational data bases. EPOS has thus create a strongly competitive European research infrastructure providing radically new conditions and new horizons for solid Earth science research in Europe. CzechGeo has contribute to and profit from the EPOS achievements.