Eggerloch Villach: Digitally tangible cave research

Eggerloch Villach: Digitally tangible cave research

In the city cinema Villach, an important event was celebrated on Thursday: the premiere of a new cave film, which is the digital experience of the Eggerloch, one of the most fascinating caves in Dobratsch. This is particularly noteworthy because Austria's caves, especially in the hilly alpine room, recover many secrets and unexplored areas. L’Occitane, under the direction of CEO Elisabeth Hajek, is committed to cave research and with this project shows how important the preservation of these impressive habitats is.

The Dobratsch Nature Park, in which the premiere took place, is intensively committed to researching and protecting this unique environment. Nature Park State Councilor Sara Schaar emphasized that cave research is of central importance not only for nature conservation, but also for the scientific education. The visualization of the results could be better awareness of the importance of maintaining our nature.

the Eggerloch in the field of research

The history of the Eggerloch goes back to the research of Oskar Hossé in 1939, which originally wanted to make the cave accessible to the public. But since then there have been only a few scientific studies on the more than 15 domestic bat species and other living things that occur in this unique habitat. The decades of neglect led to considerable damage, and access to the cave remains blocked to this day. The traces of human visits have been severely impaired by vandalism, such as the theft of dripstones.

In order to protect this valuable resource, the Dobratsch Nature Park launched a research project that includes a large number of experts, from cave researchers to maintenance to mining specialists and a film team. The collaboration enables the Eggerloch to document it in such a way that it remains tangible despite the closed access.

innovative techniques of 3D measurement

A central element of the project is the most modern 3D measurement of the cave. Old hand drawings were replaced by technological progress, and the current design is recorded in astonishing compliance. Laser scanning creates a digital quantity quantity that represents the interior of the Eggerloch in a way that is almost as realistic as with a computer program. This makes it possible to virtually explore the Eggerloch and to maintain new perspectives on its impressive geology.

The premiere of this innovative work combined numerous guests, including Vice Mayor Sarah Katholnig and the cave researchers Martin Friedl as well as the film team Sandra Walkshofer and Erik Dobat. Together they celebrated the progress of cave research and the new digital experience of the Eggerloch.

The initiatives around the Eggerloch impressively show how modern technology and scientific commitment can work together to promote awareness of the importance of these unexplored habitats in public. For more information on this development and the projects related to the Eggerloch, visit the current reports www.meinbezirk.at .