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Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia

Title: CHANGES IN ROCK PROPERTIES DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES: A NATIONWIDE STUDY IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, CENTRAL EUROPE
Authors: Rastjoo Ghazaal, Loche Marco, Racek Ondřej, Nguyen Xuan-Xinh, Polezhaev Artem and Blahůt Jan
DOI: 10.13168/AGG.2026.0013
Journal: Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia, Vol. 23, No. 2 (222), Prague 2026
Full Text: PDF file (2.8 MB)
Keywords: Thermal damage mechanism, Physico-mechanical properties, Igneous and metamorphic rock, Sandstone, Limestone, Volcanic rock
Abstract: Wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent and intense due to ongoing climate change, affecting not only ecosystems but also the stability and integrity of rock masses in fire-prone landscapes. High temperatures associated with wildfires can alter the physical and mechanical properties of rock faces, with significant implications for slope stability, weathering rates, and landscape evolution in affected regions. In this study, we investigated the effects of thermal shock on rock mechanical properties in four lithological groups: igneous and metamorphic rocks, sandstones, limestones, and volcanic rocks. For each group, samples were collected from 25 different locations across within the Czech Republic, Central Europe to provide a representative dataset covering the regional geological diversity. Specimens were subjected to fast short-term heating at target temperatures (from 105 °C to 800 °C). After each heating step, changes in the propagation velocities of Vp and Vs were measured, allowing the calculation of dynamic elastic moduli. Our results reveal markedly different thermal responses across lithological groups. In several cases, a surprising increase in wave velocity was observed after heating to 200 °C. However, higher temperature exposures generally resulted in progressive degradation of material properties, including a sharp decrease in tensile and uniaxial compressive strength and Mode I fracture toughness. These findings highlight the complex and non-linear nature of thermal alteration in rocks and stress the importance of considering lithology-specific behaviour when assessing post-fire landscape stability and rock mass quality. Our results contribute to a better understanding of how wildfires, intensified by climate change, may accelerate rock degradation processes and reshape geomorphological systems.