(Press Release, Brno, 11 June 2026) Volcanologist Lukáš Krmíček from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at Brno University of Technology (BUT) attended a joint gathering of representatives from Nordic and Baltic embassies in early June, held in the Fantova Hall at Prague Main Railway Station. The event was also attended by representatives of the Czech government, including Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček. 

The gathering supported the development of international scientific cooperation and provided an opportunity for informal discussions with representatives of the Czech government, the diplomatic community and academia.

The event, organised by the embassies of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden, was an important diplomatic occasion aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Nordic-Baltic region and the Czech Republic. Ukraine participated as a special partner.

“I see the meeting with representatives of the Nordic countries primarily as recognition of my long-standing scientific and science communication activities focused on volcanic research in Iceland and the associated natural hazards,” explains Lukáš Krmíček.

He considers such gatherings an excellent opportunity to present Czech research findings internationally and establish new contacts. “International cooperation is essential for the advancement of cutting-edge research today,” he adds.

Krmíček has long been involved in studying volcanic activity in Iceland and other active volcanic regions around the world. His research combines volcanology with the study of natural hazards in the context of climate change. In the first half of 2026, he documented an eruption of the Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion Island, where lava flows completely cut off a key local transport route.

His current research also focuses on the increasing occurrence of vegetation fires associated with volcanic activity in Iceland. The findings indicate that the combination of active eruptions, lava flows and an increasingly warm and dry climate is contributing to the outbreak of fires in subarctic environments, where such events were rare just a few decades ago.

“Research into active volcanoes is no longer just about understanding Earth's geological past. It also helps us better understand risks that may affect society in a changing climate,” Krmíček explains.

Lukáš Krmíček's research was selected for presentation at the prestigious international IDRiM 2026 (Integrated Disaster Risk Management) conference, one of the world's leading gatherings of experts specialising in geohazards and natural disasters. This year's conference will take place from 5 to 9 September in Indonesia.