Geological sensation: activity discovered under St. Stephen's Cathedral!

Geological sensation: activity discovered under St. Stephen's Cathedral!

There is more to Vienna than just impressive historical landmarks and a vibrant culture. A geological surprise lies dormant beneath the streets and squares of the capital: the active fault zone of the “Leopoldsdorfer Bruch”. Recent research has now made it clear that this zone is more geologically active than many previously thought. A research team led by Bernhard Salcher from the University of Salzburg examined the fault line using drill cores from the subway construction in Vienna. It was found that the rock layers in the corresponding areas do not fit together, which indicates movements in the recent past, as Heute reports.

The “Leopoldsdorfer Bruch” initially extends from the south over the districts of Favoriten and Simmering, runs east of St. Stephen's Cathedral and extends to Bisamberg on the other side of the Danube. These details come from a new study recently published in the journal “Quaternary Science Reviews” that traces the complex interplay of uplift and subsidence in the Vienna subsoil, supplemented by findings from the platform vol.at.

Geological features and historical information

The two studies show that Vienna is geologically located at a junction of the Alps, the Vienna Basin and the Danube. The Danube terraces, which include the Arsenal, Prater and Laaerberg terraces, provide evidence of past shifts, especially from the Ice Age. These terraces are remnants of ancient Danube sediments that were deposited during cold periods and are now higher in elevation as parts of Vienna were raised by the uplift of the Alps.

Bernhard Salcher emphasizes that Vienna is a geologically exciting city. The research team also found that the breaks in the terraces could indicate possible tectonic activity such as earthquakes. The Leopoldsdorfer Bruch is suspected of being responsible for such tremors. There have been assumptions about the geological activity of this zone since the 19th century, which are now being further substantiated by geophysical measurements.

What does this mean for Vienna?

Despite the geological activity, the fault zone appears to be seismically quiet: there has been no detectable earthquake in this area for over 100 years. However, this does not reduce the theoretical danger, as related fault lines, such as those in Marchfeld, could have triggered earthquakes with a magnitude of up to 7 in the past. Such data provides valuable information about the geological risks that lie dormant in a city like Vienna.

In summary, the current research results underline the dynamics that lie beneath the surface of Vienna. It remains exciting to see how knowledge of geological activities will develop in the future. With a good knack for research and science, it could be possible to better understand Vienna not only as a cultural but also as a geological center.