ABSTRACT
Elbe Sandstone is the general term for sandstone strata deposited in the shallow marine environment of a narrow strait between the Mid-European Island and the Western Sudetic Island in the northern part of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin. The Elbe Sandstone comprises approx. 400 m thick, quartz-rich, fine-to coarse-grained sediments with varying clay contents, rarely inter-calated by thin clay strata, corresponding to sea-level changes during sedimentation. The first mention of sandstone quarrying in the Elbe Valley in historic documents dates from the 14th century. Due to its high mechanical strength the Posta type Elbe Sandstone has been mainly used as a building stone for structural components in construction, such as ashlar masonry and pillars, whereas the Cotta type Elbe Sandstone is preferred for sculpturing due to its fine grain size and lower mechanical strength. The Elbe Sandstone used for construction can be generally classified as quartz arenite with > 90% quartz content in most cases.
