The Wurzen Caldera: Deep insights into the eruption of a sub-Permian supervolcano near Leipzig
Public lecture at the Museum of Natural History in the TIETZ - on Wednesday, 18 January, 6.30 pm
Geologist Alexander Repstock from the TU Bergakademie Freiberg will be giving a public lecture on the Wurzen Caldera on 18 January at 6.30 pm in the Natural History Museum on the 1st floor of the TIETZ. In his lecture, he invites you to join him on a journey into the area and explore the depths of a Saxon supervolcano system.
Today, the volcanic rocks of the Wurzen Caldera cover an area of 2,111 square kilometres east of Leipzig. Around 290 million years ago, this region was located on the giant continent of Pangaea near the equator. Some of the rocks became famous as building materials, particularly in the Völkerschlachtdenkmal monument built by the architect Bruno Schmitz.
The Freiberg scientist investigated this area with its fascinating rocks. He discovered that it is the remains of a supervolcano. This is supported by the geographical distribution of the rocks, the size of the caldera and the thick deposits of extremely crystal-rich and welded pyroclastites. This supervolcano is comparable in size to the well-known intracontinental volcanic complexes (e.g. Yellowstone) of today's western USA. The mineral composition of the rock in particular reveals the origin and depth of the magma reservoir.
Admission is free.
An event organised by the Friends of the Museum für Naturkunde e. V.
For further information please contact:
City of Chemnitz, Cultural Services, Museum of Natural History
Dr Ronny Rößler, Director
Phone: 0371 488-4551
Email: roessler(at)naturkunde-chemnitz.de