How does fire change sandstone? Fascination climbing in Bad Schandau!

How does fire change sandstone? Fascination climbing in Bad Schandau!

In Bad Schandau, a picturesque spot in Saxon Switzerland, researchers are faced with an exciting challenge: How does the sandstone there react to the dangers of forest fires? This question concerns the scientists around geologist Jörn Wichert, who likes to compare his curiosity with that of the famous mountaineer George Mallory. He once wanted to conquer the highest peak in the world, while Wichert is researching a rock over 50 meters high here, secured by the company Industrieklettern Sachsen. The scientists use an impressive 300 meters of climbing rope and two electrically operated cable winches to reconstruct the partially slippery wall.

Wichern is particularly interested in the internal structure and properties of the sandstone, because these properties could be crucial for how this rock behaves under extreme conditions. While the comparison to Mallory's expeditions in the heights of the Himalayas is an adventurous metaphor, the geologist emphasizes that the conditions in Bad Schandau are different. You can't expect extremely cold high mountains here, but you can expect the challenges of soft sedimentary rock that can be changed by natural influences.

The nature of sandstone

Sandstone, a typical clastic sedimentary rock, consists of at least 50 percent sand grains with a grain size between 0.063 and 2 mm. The grains are usually made of quartz, but can also contain other minerals such as mica or calcite. The special thing about sandstone is that it is created by cementing together loose sand and other sediment particles. This often occurs in marine, fluvial or aeolian environments where the sediments are deposited and solidify over time. Sandstone is therefore a product of nature that is fascinating both in its creation and in its use.

There are significant deposits of sandstone in Germany, for example in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains or the Zittau Mountains. The possible uses are diverse: from construction projects to the production of sculptures to filter technology. Sandstones come in different colors, which are influenced by the specific minerals and their admixtures. There is gray, yellow, brown or even red sandstone. What is particularly noteworthy is that red sandstones often get their color from their iron content and hydrothermal processes.

Sustainability and practice

The challenges posed by wildfires are shedding new light on the importance of sandstone in our environment. As a common building material, these rocks also play a role in nature conservation. Sandstone dry stone walls are not only practical, but also provide a habitat for various plants and animals. However, a certain degree of caution is required because sandstone soils tend to acidify and are often poor in nutrients.

The ongoing investigations by the scientists in Bad Schandau could help to better understand the reaction mechanisms of sandstone under stressful conditions, which is ultimately important not only for research, but also for practical use in construction and nature projects. What remains is the exciting question: How will the sandstone develop in times of climate change and react to the increasingly frequent forest fires?