Scientists: Czechia’s legendary Říp remnant of a lava lake

Czechia’s legendary mountain Říp is a remnant of a lava lake that was formed more than 26 million years ago during a volcanic eruption, according to the findings of a research team from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Charles University and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. The team  came to this conclusion based on a detailed study of the internal structure of the mountain, including  geophysical measurements, analysis of the magnetic properties of rocks and field mapping. According to the report released, inside Rip there is a solidified mass of dark volcanic rock with fan-shaped columnar fissures, which are a typical feature of lava lakes. Geophysical data inside the mountain also revealed an intricate system of underground magma conduits.

According to a 12th century chronicle Říp Mountain (456 metres above the sea level) was the place where the first Slavs, led by Forefather Čech, settled.