Sokolov Basin

The Sokolov Basin or Falkenau Basin (Czech: Sokolovská pánev; German: Falkenauer Becken, formerly also Falkenau-Elbogen-Karlsbader Becken) is a structural basin and geomorphological mesoregion of the Czech Republic. It is located in the central part of the Karlovy Vary Region. It is named after the town of Sokolov. It is known for its deposits of lignite, which has been extracted here to a greater extent since the second half of 19th century.

Sokolov Basin
Central part of the basin, Slavkov Forest in the background
Highest point
PeakZelený vrch
Elevation570 m (1,870 ft)
Dimensions
Length36 km (22 mi)
Area312 km2 (120 sq mi)
Geography
Sokolov Basin in the geomorphological system of the Czech Republic
CountryCzech Republic
RegionsKarlovy Vary
Range coordinates15°14′N 12°45′E
Parent rangePodkrušnohorská Macroregion

Geomorphology

The Sokolov Basin is a mesoregion of the Podkrušnohorská Macroregion within the Bohemian Massif. It runs between two ranges: Ore Mountains in the north and Slavkov Forest in the south. It is no further subdivided into microregions.[1]

The highest peak of the Sokolov Basin used to be Dvorský vrch with an elevation of 573 m (1,880 ft), but its top was mined away. Now the highest peak is Zelený vrch at 570 m (1,870 ft).[2]

Geography

The Sokolov Basin is 36 km (22 mi) long, 9 km (6 mi) wide, and has an area of 312 km2 (120 sq mi).[3] The territory has an elongated shape from southwest to northeast.

The Ohře River flows across the entire territory and drains it. Smaller rivers, such as Svatava, Rolava and Bystřice, flow into it from the mountain ranges along the territory.

Suitable natural conditions contributed to the creation of many settlements in the Sokolov Basin. Most populated cities and towns in the territory are Karlovy Vary, Sokolov, Ostrov, Chodov, and Nová Role.

Economy

The basin is known for lignite mining. It started here on a small scale around 1760 and fully developed after the construction of the railway in 1871. It experienced its peak in the second half of the 20th century, when mining took place mainly underground. Today, mining takes place in a surface mine.[3]

  • Medard Lake
    Medard Lake
  • Medard Lake and surrounding landscape
    Medard Lake and surrounding landscape
  • Jiří lignite mine
    Jiří lignite mine

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sokolov Basin.
  1. "Geomorfologické celky a podcelky, pohoří v ČR" (in Czech). Treking.cz. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  2. "Zelený vrch – v pánvi u Sokolova" (in Czech). Michal Zhor. 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  3. Pauliš, Petr; Rojík, Petr; Malíková, Radana; Pour, Ondřej; Civiš, Svatopluk (2014). "Klinoptilolit-Na z uhelného lomu Družba v sokolovské pánvi (Česká republika)" (PDF). Bulletin Mineralogie Petrologie (in Czech). National Museum. 2. ISSN 1804-6495. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
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