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LIAG / Institute / Departments / Seismic, Gravimetry, and Magnetics 

Seismic, Gravimetry, and Magnetics

Our department carries out research regarding the application of seismic, gravimetric, and magnetic methods, as well as the complementary inclusion of structural geological analysis of the upper part of the Earth's crust: its structure, the processes creating and modifying the crust, as well as the critical geophysical parameters for these processes.

Departmental responsibilities

Department S1 is dedicated to the development and application of geophysical methods − in particular seismic, gravimetric, and magnetic methods − as well as structural geological methods, and their integration, as the basis for structural and process-oriented interpretation.

The aim is to investigate geological structures and fault systems, and to understand their variability on several scales to enable the sustainable use of underground geological formations. Our primarily application-oriented research activities are mainly focused on measuring and analysis of processes involved in mass movement and deformation, which give rise to modifications of the methodology-relevant geophysical parameters. The long-term objective is to establish viable forecasts concerning changes in underground zones capable of being utilised and influenced by human activity, for instance communication between reservoirs, the assessment of georisks, and processes, which give rise to landscape changes. This work is complemented by the development of surveying technologies and advanced evaluation methods, and modelling of the observed deformation.

We also participate in basic research activities whenever the department's expertise is able to significantly contribute to the success of scientific projects.

to the Research Fields of the department

Selected current projects

  • E4Geo Details Geothermics Saxony (LFULG)
  • OGER Details Optimised groundwater exploration - development of tools to secure groundwater resources (DBU)
  • GeoMetEr Details Evaluation of combinations of ground- and airborne geophysical methods as a contribution to future site investigation (BGE) 
  • REgine Details Geophysical-geological based reservoir engineering for deep-seated carbonates
  • DOVE - Drilling Overdeepened Alpine Valleys Details Glacially overdeepened Alpine valleys as climate archives (ICDP)
  • The Brenner base tunnel (BBT) natural laboratory Details From cross-section construction over fabric and elastic anisotropy analysis to 4D structural modeling (DFG)
  • Structural characterization and dating of an active strike-slip fault that passes from bedrock into unconsolidated sediments (DFG)
  • Seismic crosshole tomography as contribution to understand sedimentation processes in glacially-overdeepened valleys Details (DFG)
  • The neotectonic evolution of the Osning Lineament derived from near-surface reflection seismic data Details (DFG)
  • HyAfrica - Towards a next-generation renewable energy source – a natural hydrogen solution for power supply in Africa Details (BMBF / Horizon 2020 via LEAP-RE)

all projects of the department

Recent Publications

  • BERAUS, S., BURSCHIL, T., BUNESS, H., KÖHN, D., BOHLEN, T. & GABRIEL, G. (2024): A comprehensive crosshole seismic experiment in glacial sediments at the ICDP DOVE site in the Tannwald Basin. Scientific Drilling, 33(2): 237-248. doi: 10.5194/sd-33-237-2024. 

  • MUÑOZ., B.L., ENRIQUEZ, E., CHRISTIANSEN, R., MOROSINI, A., ORTIZ SUÁREZ, A, D’ERAMO, F., PINOTTI, L., DEMARTIS, M., RAMOS, G. & PAGANO, D.S. (2024): 3D model of the El Hornito pluton, Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina: Evidence of hybridization in the re-used feeder channels for emplacement in the ductile-brittle level. Journal of Structural Geology, 185: 105175.  doi 10.1016/j.jsg.2024.105175.

  • SCHUSTER, B., GEGG, L., SCHALLER, S., BUECHI, M.W., TANNER, D.C., WIELANDDT-SCHUSTER, U., ANSELMETTI, F. & PREUSSER, F. (2024): Shaped and filled by the Rhine Glacier: the overdeepened Tannwald Basin in southwestern Germany. Scientific Drilling, 33:191-206. doi 10.5194/sd-33-191-2024. 

  • BEKHIT, A.M., SOBH, M., ABDEL ZAHER, M., ABDEL FATTAH, T. & DIAB, A.I. (2024): Crustal thickness variations beneath Egypt through gravity inversion and forward modeling: linking surface thermal anomalies and Moho topography. Progress in Earth and Planetary Science, 11: 39. doi 10.1186/s40645-024-00639-6.

  • DADI, B., FAIK, F., BOUTALEB, S., ABIA, E.H., EL AZZAB, D., OUCHCHEN, M., MAMOUCH, Y., ECHOGDALI, F.Z., MICKUS, K.L., ABIOUI, M., SOBH, M., & HASSAN, S. (2024):  Litho-structural interpretation of aeromagnetic anomalies reveals potential for mineral exploration in Tizi n'Test Region, Western High Atlas, Morocco. Scietific Repoorts, 14: 17116.  doi 10.1038/s41598-024-65941-1.

  • TCHOUKEU, C. D. N., DJOMANI, Y. P.,  MICKUS, K., ROUSSE, S., SOBH, M, BASSEKA, C., ETAME, J. (2024): Understanding the crustal architecture beneath the Bangui magnetic anomaly and its interactions with central African tectonic megastructures based gravity and magnetic analysis. - Journal of Geodynamics, 159:102022. doi: 10.1016/j.jog.2024.102022.

  • SEIB, L., BOSSENNEC, C., WADAS, S.H., BURSCHIL, T., BUNESS, H., WEYDT, L. & SASS, I. (2024): Assessment of a medium-deep borehole thermal energy storage site in the crystalline basement: A case study of the demo site Lichtwiese Campus, Darmstadt. Geothermics, 119: 102933. doi 10.1016/j.geothermics.2024.102933.

  • KRUMBHOLZ, J.F., KRUMBHOLZ, M., WADAS, S.H. & TANNER, D.C. (2024): Characterisation of the fracture- and karst-controlled geothermal reservoir below Munich from geophysical wireline and well information. Geothermal Energy, 12: 9. doi 10.1186/s40517-024-00286-6. 

  • PIVETTA, T., BRAITENBERG, C., GABROVŠEK, F., GABRIEL G. & MEURERS, B. (2024): Gravimetry and hydrologic data to constrain the hydrodynamics of a Karstic area: the Škocjan Caves study case. - Journal of Hydrology, 629: 130453. doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130453​.

Head of department

Prof. Dr. Gerald Gabriel
+49 511 643-3510

Staff

Staff

Knowledge and technology transfer & data infrastructure