Geofyzikální expozice Skalná

The Geophysical Museum – Seismic Exhibition in Skalná is one of the few places in Europe where visitors can see up close how earthquake research actually works. The exhibition occupies a historic building dating back to 1541 on Česká Street, right in the center of this small town in the Cheb district of the Karlovy Vary Region.

Why Skalná?

The area around Skalná and the nearby village of Nový Kostel sits at the heart of a zone known for so-called earthquake swarms – sequences of numerous, closely spaced tremors without one dominant main shock. This is a phenomenon typical of West Bohemia, tied to the region's volcanic and tectonic activity. The museum's location is no coincidence: it was here that the largest seismic swarm ever recorded in the Cheb region occurred at the turn of 1985 and 1986, reaching magnitude 4.6. The museum's opening on December 19, 2015, deliberately coincided with the 30th anniversary of that event.

Who built it?

The exhibition was created by the Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the town of Skalná. Tanja and Paul Noppers, owners of the historic building that now houses the museum, also contributed to making the project happen.

What is inside?

The exhibition explains, in accessible terms, what an earthquake actually is, how it is measured, and how plate tectonics theory works. Wall displays cover earthquake observation and visualization, paired with real measuring instruments — some of which visitors can try out themselves. That hands-on element makes it a solid stop for families with children.

The museum also has a small lecture and screening room seating around 15 people, where a roughly 30-minute documentary film about the region's earthquake swarms is shown. It works well as an introduction before continuing the tour, especially for visitors with no prior background in seismology.

The underground part of the visit

The most unusual part of a visit is the descent into a medieval mine gallery beneath Vildštejn Castle. This is where the Skalná seismic station is located — an active measuring point genuinely used to monitor seismic activity in the region. It is a rare chance to see scientific equipment working in real conditions rather than behind exhibit glass, surrounded by old stone passageways.

How to get there?

Skalná lies in the Karlovy Vary Region, close to the German border and near the towns of Cheb and Františkovy Lázně. The museum sits right in the town center on Česká Street, so once you reach Skalná there is no need for extra navigation off the main road. It is worth checking current opening hours in advance, since the exhibition sometimes runs on a seasonal schedule or by prior arrangement for guided group visits.

When to visit?

Given the exhibition's compact size and the intimate screening room, it helps to plan a visit outside the peak of the tourist season, when it is easier to get a seat for the film showing. The region is worth visiting year-round — the nearby spa towns of Františkovy Lázně and Karlovy Vary make it easy to combine a museum visit with exploring the wider area.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an earthquake swarm and a regular earthquake? An earthquake swarm is a sequence of numerous, usually weaker tremors occurring close together in time, without one clearly dominant main shock — unlike a classic earthquake with a single strong shock followed by aftershocks.

Can the mine gallery under Vildštejn Castle be visited independently? No, the descent into the medieval gallery is only part of the museum's guided tour, not a separately accessible attraction.

Is the exhibition suitable for children? Yes, some of the measuring instruments are interactive, and the short documentary film explains the phenomenon of earthquakes in an accessible way.

How strong was the largest earthquake recorded in this area? At the turn of 1985 and 1986, the largest seismic swarm ever recorded in the Cheb region occurred, reaching magnitude 4.6.