page_title: Zbrašov aragonite caves
section_title: Microclimate
hierarchical_section_title: Zbrašov aragonite caves / Natural Features / Microclimate
caption_attribution_description: Čeština: Měřící zařízení ve Zbrašovských aragonitových jeskyních
context_page_description: The Zbrašov aragonite caves are a protected area in the Přerov District, Czech Republic, that were proclaimed as a National Natural Landmark to protect important hydrothermal karst areas of Europe. They include the aragonite caves as well as the surrounding forests. Discovered in 1912 and opened for the public in 1926, the caves were created by both surface water and underground mineral water springs rich in carbon dioxide that are used in spas in the nearby village and spa resort of Teplice nad Bečvou.
  The caves are filled with formations of stalagmite and aragonite that resemble geysers and doughnuts, and the bottom levels of the cave are filled with carbon dioxide. The temperature stays around 14 °C throughout the year, and the caves are the warmest underground places in the Czech Republic.
context_section_description: The karst process results in a unique microclimate of caves, characterized mainly by springs and carbon dioxide in the lower parts of the cave area, creating gas reservoirs. Some of the lower part of the caves are filled with carbon dioxide permanently. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the cave commonly reaches 40% by volume; more than 8-10% is fatal to humans. An integral part of the security measures, therefore, is the daily measurement of carbon dioxide and adapting workers and visitors to the current situation.
  The carbon dioxide originates from a great depth about 40 km below the surface. Carbon dioxide leaves the depth along the deep faults towards the surface, either forming the dry gas in mofettas or dissolving in mineral water.
  Caves are the warmest in the Czech Republic, with year-round temperature of 14 °C. The relative humidity is about 98%.
caption: Device used to measure the concentration of carbon dioxide
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