Dr. Matt Rowberry, Ph.D.

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About Me

Research interests
• Developing novel sensors for near real time monitoring of fault displacements
• Implementing AI-driven data fusion and gap bridging for robust downstream analysis
• Unravelling exogenic and endogenic drivers of fault behaviour across time and space

Analytical tools
• ArcGIS: Geospatial analysis and spatial statistics
• R: Time series forecasting in the temporal and frequency domains
• Python: Signal processing, machine learning, and deep learning

Grants
Title: Integrating artificial intelligence into landslide monitoring data processing and interpretation
Provider: Czech Academy of Sciences - Strategie AV21
Period: 2026-2027
Role: Professional colleague

Title: Integrating 3D contactless positioning systems into a comprehensive geophysical monitoring network in Taiwan 
Provider: Academia Sinica and the Czech Academy of Sciences
Period: 2025-2026
Role: Professional colleague

Title: 3D contactless magnetoresistive positioning system
Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
Period: 2021-2022
Role: Professional colleague

Title: 3D fracture behaviour monitoring presented online in real time using Spinterference
Provider: British Cave Research Association 
Period: 2019-2020
Role: Principal Investigator

Title: The construction of a global database of giant landslides on oceanic island volcanoes
Provider: International Program on Landslides
Period: 2016-2018
Role: Principal Investigator

Title: El Hierro megalandslide dynamics analysed using big data to predict the future behaviour of megalandslides on other volcanic islands
Provider: Grant Agency of the Czech Republic
Period: 2016-2018
Role: Professional colleague

Title: The development and optimisation of a prototype for the automated monitoring of three dimensional fracture movements
Provider: Technology Agency of the Czech Republic
Period: 2015-2017
Role: Principal Investigator

Appointments and education
January 2010 – present
Research Scientist | Institute of Rock Structure & Mechanics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
Experienced Principal Investigator and collaborative researcher leading multidisciplinary projects that leverage cutting edge sensors and data analytics to advance our understanding of natural hazards

January 2008 – December 2009
Postdoctoral Research | School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
Topic: The tectonic and geomorphological evolution of southern Africa since the breakup of Gondwana
Host: Professor Terence McCarthy

October 2003 – September 2007
Doctoral Research | Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
Topic: The tectonic and geomorphological evolution of Wales since the opening of the North Atlantic
Supervisor: Professor Mark Macklin

Publishing Activity

Research Publications

IF journals

Šuťjak, M., Melichar, R., Baroň, I., Chen, Y., Černý, J., Dong, J., Dušek, V., Hartvich, F., Klimeš, J., Kociánová, L., Nguyen, T., Opletal, V., Rowberry, M., Tseng, C., 2025. From oblique thrust to strike slip fault: progressive stages of an accretionary wedge development. Lithosphere, in print. https://doi.org/10.2113/2024/lithosphere_2024_182

Baroň, I., Koktavý, P., Trčka, T., Rowberry, M., Stemberk, J., Balek, J., Plan, L., Melichar, R., Diendorfer, G., Macků, R., Škarvada, P., 2022. Differentiating between artificial and natural sources of electromagnetic radiation at a seismogenic fault. Engineering Geology, v. 311, no. 106912. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106912

Baroň, I., Plan, L., Grasemann, B., Melichar, R., Mitrović, I., Rowberry, M., Scholz, D., 2022. Three large prehistoric earthquakes in the Eastern Alps evidenced by cave rupture and speleothem damage. Geomorphology, v. 408, no. 108242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108242

Blahůt, J., Mitrovic-Woodell, I., Baroň, I., René, M., Rowberry, M., Blard, P., Hartvich, F., Meletlidis, S., 2020. Volcanic edifice slip events recorded on the fault plane of the San Andrés Landslide, El Hierro, Canary Islands. Tectonophysics, v. 776, no. 228317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2019.228317

Blahůt, J., Balek, J., Klimeš, J., Rowberry, M., Kusák, M., Kalina, J., 2019. A comprehensive global database of giant landslides on volcanic islands. Landslides, v. 16, p. 2045-2052. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-019-01275-8

Rowberry, M., Dubois, C., Kaufmann, O., Baele, J., Blahůt, J., 2018. Weathering by dolomite dissolution responsible for the formation of an important palaeontological locality in the Prague Synform. Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia, v. 15, p. 297-309. https://doi.org/10.13168/AGG.2018.0022

Blahůt, J., Baroň, I., Sokoľ, L., Meletlidis, S., Klimeš, J., Rowberry, M., Melichar, R., García-Cañada, L., Martí, X., 2018. Large landslide stress states calculated following extreme climatic and tectonic events on El Hierro, Canary Islands. Landslides, v. 15, p. 1801-1814. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-018-0993-1

Blahůt, J., Klimeš, J., Rowberry, M., Kusák, M., 2018. Database of giant landslides on volcanic islands - first results from the Atlantic Ocean. Landslides, v. 15, p. 823-827. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-018-0967-3

Rinaldi-Montes, N., Rowberry, M., Frontera, C., Garcés, J., Baroň, I., Blahůt, J., Pérez-López, R., Pennos, C., Martí, X., 2017. A contactless positioning system for monitoring discontinuities in three dimensions with geological and geotechnical applications. Review of Scientific Instruments, v. 88, no. 074501. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4993925

Rowberry, M., Kriegner, D., Holý, V., Frontera, C., Llull, M., Olejník, K., Martí, X., 2016. The instrumental resolution of a moiré extensometer in light of its recent automatisation. Measurement, v. 91, p. 258-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.measurement.2016.05.048

Rowberry, M., Martí, X., Frontera, C., Van De Wiel, M., Briestenský, M., 2016. Calculating flux to predict future cave radon concentrations. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, v. 157, p. 16-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.02.023

Dubois, C., Deceuster, J., Kaufmann, O., Rowberry, M., 2015. A new method to quantify carbonate rock weathering. Mathematical Geosciences, v. 47, p. 889-935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11004-014-9581-7

Briestenský, M., Rowberry, M., Stemberk, J., Stefanov, P., Vozár, J., Šebela, S., Petro, L’., Bella, P., Gaal, L’., Ormukov, C., 2015. Evidence of a plate wide tectonic pressure pulse provided by extensometric monitoring in the Balkan Mountains. Geologica Carpathica, v. 66, p. 427-438. https://doi.org/10.1515/geoca-2015-0035

Briestenský, M., Thinová, L., Praksová, R., Stemberk, J., Rowberry, M., Knejflová, Z., 2014. Radon, carbon dioxide, and fault displacements in central Europe related to the Tōhoku Earthquake. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, v. 160, p. 78-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncu090

Dubois, C., Quinif, Y., Baele, J., Barriquand, L., Bini, A., Bruxelles, L., Dandurand, G., Havron, C., Kaufmann, O., Lans, B., Maire, R., Martin, J., Rodet, J., Rowberry, M., Tognini, P., Vergari, A., 2014. The process of ghost rock karstification and its role in the formation of caves. Earth-Science Reviews, v. 131, p. 116-148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2014.01.006

Tooth, S., McCarthy, T., Rodnight, H., Keen-Zebert, A., Rowberry, M., Brandt, D., 2014. Late Holocene development of a major fluvial discontinuity in floodplain wetlands of the Blood River, eastern South Africa. Geomorphology, v. 205, p. 128-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.12.045

Briestenský, M., Stemberk, J., Rowberry, M., 2014. The use of damaged speleothems and in situ fault displacement monitoring to characterise active tectonic structures: an example from Západní Cave, Czech Republic. Acta Carsologica, v. 43, p. 129-138. https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v43i1.626

Rowberry, M., Battiau-Queney, Y., Walsh, P., Błażejowski, B., Bout-Roumazeilles, V., Trentesaux, A., Křížová, L., Griffiths, H., 2014. The weathered Carboniferous Limestone at Bullslaughter Bay, South Wales: the first example of ghost-rock recorded in the British Isles. Geologica Belgica, v. 17, p. 33-42. 

Marti, X., Rowberry, M., Blahůt, J., 2013. A MATLAB code for counting the moiré interference fringes recorded by the optical mechanical crack gauge TM-71. Computers & Geosciences, v. 52, p. 164-167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2012.09.029

Klimeš, J., Rowberry, M., Blahůt, J., Briestenský, M., Hartvich, F., Košťák, B., Rybář, J., Stemberk, J., Štěpančíková, P., 2012. The monitoring of slow moving landslides and assessment of stabilisation measures using an optical mechanical crack gauge. Landslides, v. 9, p. 407-415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-011-0306-4

Rowberry, M., 2012. A comparison of three terrain parameters that may be used to identify denudation surfaces within a GIS: a case study from Wales, United Kingdom. Computers & Geosciences, v. 43, p. 147-158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2011.09.016

Rowberry, M., McCarthy, T., Thompson, M., Nomnganga, A., Moyo, L., 2011. The spatial and temporal characterisation of flooding within the floodplain wetland of the Nyl River, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Water SA, v. 37, p. 445-452. https://doi.org/10.10520/EJC116815

Briestenský, M., Stemberk, J., Michalík, J., Bella, P., Rowberry, M., 2011. The use of a karstic cave system in a study of active tectonics: fault displacements recorded at Driny Cave, Malé Karpaty Mts (Slovakia). Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, v. 73, p. 114-123. https://doi.org/10.4311/jcks2010es0166

McCarthy, T., Tooth, S., Jacobs, Z., Rowberry, M., Thompson, M., Brandt, D., Hancox, P., Marren, P., Woodborne, S., Ellery, W., 2011. The origin and development of the Nyl River floodplain wetland: trunk-tributary river interactions in a dryland setting. South African Geographical Journal, v. 93, p. 172-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/03736245.2011.619324

Briestenský, M., Thinová, L., Stemberk, J., Rowberry, M., 2011. The use of caves as observatories for recent geodynamic activity and radon gas concentrations in the Western Carpathians and Bohemian Massif. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, v. 145, p. 166-172. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncr080

Štěpančíková, P., Rowberry, M., 2008. Rock landforms that reflect differential relief development in the northeastern sector of the Rychlebské hory and the adjacent area of Žulovská pahorkatina (SE Sudeten Mts, Czech Republic). Acta Geodynamica et Geomaterialia, v. 5, p. 297-321.

Walsh, P., Battiau-Queney, Y., Howells, S., Ollier, C., Rowberry, M., 2008. The Gash Breccias of the Pembrokeshire Peninsula, SW Wales. Geology Today, v. 24, p. 137-145. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2451.2008.00676.x

Rowberry, M., Brewer, P., Macklin, M., 2007. The number, form, and origin of subhorizontal surfaces in north Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom. Norwegian Journal of Geology, v. 87, p. 207-222.

Other journals

Mikluš, V., Trčka, T., Rowberry, M., Rogerson, M., 2025. Searching for muons in caves. Cave Radio and Electronics Group Journal, v. 129, p. 22-24.

Rowberry, M., Trčka, T., Mikluš, V., 2023. Portable muon detectors tested at the British Cave Science Centre. Cave & Karst Science, v. 50, p. 113-118. 

Rowberry, M., Gunn, J., 2022. Atmospheric pressure anomalies at the British Cave Science Centre triggered by catastrophic volcanic eruption in Tonga on 15 January 2022. Cave & Karst Science, v. 49, p. 14-18.     

Gunn, J., Rowberry, M., Smith, A., 2021. Exploring the impact of tourists on cave air temperatures: a Covid-19 case study from Poole’s Cavern, Derbyshire, UK. Cave & Karst Science, v. 48, p. 121-128. 

Rowberry, M., Frontera, C., Baroň, I., Kučera, J., Křivánek, L., Martí, X., 2020. A novel positioning system for three dimensional fracture displacement monitoring in the British Cave Science Centre, Poole’s Cavern, Buxton, Derbyshire. Cave & Karst Science, v. 47, p. 146-152. 

Rowberry, M., 2008. Constraining the altitudinal range of elevated sub-horizontal denudation surfaces in Wales, U.K., using the elevation-relief ratio. Revista Geográfica Acadêmica, v. 2, p. 26-40.

Book chapters

Baroň, I., Melichar, R., Sokol, Ľ., Rowberry, M., Plan, L., Stemberk, J., 2024. 3D active fault kinematic behaviour reveals rapidly alternating near surface stress states in the Eastern Alps. In: Goteti, R., Finkbeiner, T., Rajabi, M., Ziegler, M., Massiot, C. (eds) Characterization, Prediction, and Modelling of the Crustal Present Day In Situ Stresses. Geological Society of London, Special Publication, v. 546, p. 119-133. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP546-2023-32

Blahůt, J., Klimeš, J., Meletlidis, S., Balek, J., Rowberry, M., Baroň, I., 2023. A decade of monitoring and research on the San Andrés Megalandslide on El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain. In: Malheiro, A., Fernandes, F., Chaminé, H. (eds) Advances in Natural Hazards and Volcanic Risks. Advances in Science, Technology, & Innovation. Springer, Cham, 65-70. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25042-2_12

Rowberry, M., Klimeš, J., Blahůt, J., Balek, J., Kusák, M., 2023. A global database of giant landslides on volcanic islands. In: Sassa, K., Konagai, K., Tiwari, B., Arbanas, Ž., Sassa, S. (eds.), Progress in Landslide Research and Technology, Vol. 1, Issue 1. Springer, Cham, 295-304. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16898-7_22

Blahůt, J., Rowberry, M., Balek, J., Klimeš, J., Baroň, I., Meletlidis, S., Martí, X., 2017. Monitoring giant landslide detachment planes in the era of big data analytics. In: Mikoš, M., Arbanas, Ž., Yin, Y., & Sassa, K. (eds.), Advancing Culture of Living with Landslides. Springer, Cham, 333-340. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53487-9_38

Memberships

Fellowships and memberships

·     Fellow of the Geological Society of London

·     Member of the British Cave Research Association

Další informace

Peer review assignments

·     Applied Radiation and Isotopes

·     Earth-Science Reviews

·     Engineering Geology

·     Environmental Earth Sciences

·     Environmental Science and Pollution Research

·     Geomorphology

·     Geological Magazine

·     Global and Planetary Change

·     Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

·     Natural Hazards

·     South African Journal of Geology

·     Surveys in Geophysics

·     Tectonophysics

Conference advisory boards

Member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the 5th International Conference on Slope Tectonics, 10-14 September 2024, Křtiny, Czech Republic.

CV

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Lecture

From Nano to Geo: Scaffolds for Innovation

Dr. Matt Rowberry from Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics of the CAS, developed a contactless positioning system for monitoring geological discontinuities such as faults and fractures. Once again, the very same physical principle was targetting a completely different scale, and the second scaffold was constructed. This contactless positioning system has been deployed on to monitor landslides in the Canary Islands and active tectonic faults in Austria and Spain.

The event was organised by Spanish Embassy on November 15, 2018, at the Czech Academy of Sciences, which aims to transform ladders into scaffolds.