Seismic station Kašperské Hory

Seismic Station Kašperské Hory ranks among the most sensitive earthquake-monitoring facilities in the world, tucked inside a former gold mine adit near the town of Kašperské Hory in the Šumava mountains. Known by its catalogue code KHC, the station has operated since 1960 as part of the Czech regional seismic network, which comprises twenty measuring points across the country.

Where exactly is it located?

The site sits in the Zlatý potok (Golden Stream) valley, roughly 3 km southeast of Kašperské Hory's town centre. The actual seismometers are installed deep inside the Kristýna adit, about 100 metres from its entrance and some 40 metres underground. The adit itself runs 350 metres and was originally dug for gold mining, only later being repurposed for seismological research.

Why was this spot chosen?

What looks like an out-of-the-way location turned out to be scientifically ideal. Being far from industrial centres and major transport routes keeps background noise to a minimum, while the surrounding rock mass shields the sensitive equipment from weather and surface vibrations. As a result, according to statistics kept by the International Seismological Centre (ISC), Kašperské Hory is counted among the most sensitive seismic stations on Earth — it picks up tremors that would go unnoticed by instruments in less isolated settings.

What will you see on a visit?

A tour combines two parts: a museum of seismometry and the working adit itself. The museum exhibition traces the history of earthquake measurement, from early mechanical seismographs to today's digital instruments. A guide then leads visitors along the corridor of the former gold mine to the chamber where the actual sensors sit, recording the faintest movements of the Earth's crust. It's a rare chance to see geophysical science at work inside a centuries-old mining tunnel.

What happens to the recorded data?

Digital measurements are transmitted continuously to the Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague, and from there to international research centres. This data is used to determine basic earthquake parameters worldwide — epicentre location, timing, and magnitude — and to deepen scientific understanding of the Earth's internal structure and processes.

When should you visit?

The station welcomes visitors seasonally, from May to September, through guided group tours. Outside this window it operates purely as a scientific facility, with no public access to the adit. Booking ahead is advisable, since tour group sizes tend to be limited.

How do you get there?

Kašperské Hory lies at the heart of the Šumava range in South Bohemia and is well connected by local roads to other tourist hubs in the mountains. The most rewarding way to reach the station itself is on foot or by bike through the Zlatý potok valley — the route runs through scenic, forested terrain typical of Šumava, so it's worth pairing the visit with a longer walk or ride.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Seismic Station Kašperské Hory? It's a scientific monitoring facility (catalogue code KHC) that has operated since 1960 inside a former gold mine adit, forming part of the Czech regional seismic network.

Why is the station placed underground in a mine adit? The surrounding rock and the distance from industry and traffic minimize interference, allowing the instruments to detect even very weak tremors — making it one of the most sensitive stations in the world.

Can the station be visited? Yes, guided tours run from May to September, combining the seismometry museum with a walk through the Kristýna adit.

Where exactly is the station relative to the town? It lies in the Zlatý potok valley, about 3 km southeast of Kašperské Hory's centre, inside the 350-metre-long Kristýna adit.