Historical and stratigraphical geology I - MG421P03A
Title: Historická a stratigrafická geologie I
Czech title: Historická a stratigrafická geologie I
Form of teaching: lecture+practicals
Guaranteed by: Institute of Geology and Paleontology (31-420)
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Actual: from 2019
Duration in semesters: 1
Semester: winter
E-Credits: 5
Examination process: winter s.:
Hours per week, examination: winter s.:3/1, C+Ex [HT]
Capacity: unlimited
Maximum number of enrolled students: unlimited
Min. number of students: unlimited
4EU+: no
Virtual mobility / capacity: no
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Note: enabled for web enrollment
Guarantor: doc. RNDr. Petr Kraft, CSc.
Teacher(s): RNDr. Jana Bruthansová, Ph.D.
doc. RNDr. Petr Kraft, CSc.
prof. RNDr. Stanislav Opluštil, Ph.D.
prof. RNDr. Jiří Žák, Ph.D.
Opinion survey results   WS schedule   
Annotation -
This course provides detailed charcteristics of periods of the Precambrian and Palaeozoic. It is mainly focused on stratigraphic subdivision, index fossils, evolution of ecosystems, geotectonical and palaeogeographical events, development of main units of the Bohemian Massif and other important areas for each period.
Last update: Kraft Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (10.10.2026)
Literature -

The main sources that provide general information and an overview of the Bohemian Massif:

Chlupáč, I. a kol., 2002. Geologická minulost České republiky. Academia, Praha, 436 pp.

Mišík M., Chlupáč I., Cicha I., 1985. Stratigrafická a historická geologie. SPN Bratislava, 570 pp.

Resources with general information and overviews of other areas:

Dott Jr. R. H., Batten R. L., 1981 (a další vydání). Evolution of the Earth. McGraw-Hill Book Comp., 573 pp.

Rogers J. J. W., 1994. A history of the Earth. Cambridge University Press, 312 pp.

Sources of information on the evolution of biota:

Kachlík, V., 1992. Vývoj organismů a jejich stratigrafický význam. Univerzita Karlova, Praha, 197 pp.

Stanley S. M., 1989. Earth and life through time. W. H. Freeman and comp., New York, 690 pp.

Sources of information on the palaeogeography:

Webové stránky Chrise Scotese: www.scotese.com

Scotese C.R. 2001. Atlas of Earth History. Paleomap Project. https://www.academia.edu/9730874/Atlas_of_Earth_History

Scotese, C.R. 2021. An Atlas of Phanerozoic Paleogeographic Maps: The Seas Come In and the Seas Go Out. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 49, 679-728. https://www.annualreviews.org/docserver/fulltext/earth/49/1/annurev-earth-081320-064052.pdf?expires=1769631553&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=285689EEF76A0FA70E68B9611F96756A

Torsvik, T.H., Cocks L.R.M. 2017. Earth History and Palaeogeography. Cambridge University press. https://www.scribd.com/document/679640587/Trond-H-Torsvik-L-Robin-M-Cocks-Earth-History-and-Palaeogeography-Cambridge-University-Press-2017

General information on stratigraphy:

Chlupáč, I., Štorch, P. (eds.), 1997. Zásady české stratigrafické klasifikace. Věstník Českého geologického ústavu, 72 (2): 193–204

Salvador A. (ed.), 1994. International Stratigraphic Guide. IUGS and GSA, 213 pp.

Last update: Kraft Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (10.10.2026)
Course assessment methods and requirements for successful completion, grading scheme -
Examination is oral with accent on understanding to processes.
Requrements to credit is active presence at practice.
Last update: Kraft Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (10.10.2026)
Syllabus -
The course is divided after the geological periods:
1) Precambrian (6 lessons)
2) Cambrian (3 lessons)
3) Ordovician (7 lessons)
4) Silurian (4 lessons)
5) Devonian (7 lessons)
6) Carboniferous and Permian (9 lessons)
A brief historical development and detailed current stratigraphical subdivision, index fossils, evolution of life and main ecosystems, mass extinctions, geotectonics, palaeogeography, palaeoclimatology, facial development of central European regions and other features are mentioned for each period. Lithostratigraphical division is caracterised in detail for important basins.
This course provides detailed and extended information to previous general lecture of historical and stratigraphical geology in bachelor degree. It needs that participants have a good knowledge of geotectonics and sedimantary geology. The course is followed by field excursion (G421T05). The obtained information is essential for good understanding of many aspects of the regional geology.
The main object of practice is a demonstratioon of typical fossils and lithotypes from individual periods. Practice is organized into blocks.
Last update: Kraft Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (10.10.2026)
Learning outcomes -

Upon completion of the course, the student:

  • characterizes the detailed stratigraphic subdivision of the Precambrian and Palaeozoic down to the stage level and explains the principles of using index fossils for biostratigraphic subdivision;
  • interprets the major stages in the evolution of life and ecosystems during the Precambrian and Palaeozoic, including major evolutionary events and mass extinctions;
  • explains the geotectonic and palaeogeographic evolution of Precambrian and Palaeozoic seas and continents and interprets its relationship to palaeoclimate and the development of sedimentary basins;
  • characterizes the geological evolution of the major units of the Bohemian Massif and Central Europe during individual geological periods and compares it with the development of significant regions of Europe and other continents;
  • characterizes the facies and lithostratigraphic development of major Palaeozoic basins, interprets the principal geological events, and uses this knowledge to reconstruct the geological evolution of the studied regions.
Last update: Kraft Petr, doc. RNDr., CSc. (29.08.2026)
The course does not include work placement