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Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics

Making the invisible visible with geophysical methods.

Grafik — Das Unsichtbare sichtbar machen.

Researching tomorrow's topics today

The Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG) is Germany's leading independent, non-university research institute in the near-surface application of geophysics. With a wide range of geophysical methods, complex geological structures and processes in the subsurface that is difficult to access have been examined for over 50 years, and measurement and evaluation methods have been further developed. Thematic priorities are in particular Groundwater Geophysics and geohazards Examples of this are, on the one hand, groundwater leaks and salinization processes along the German North Sea coast and, on the other hand, earthquake potential due to active disturbances and subrosion through to sinkholes. The data-based findings are essential in order to be able to answer socially relevant questions in interdisciplinary cooperation and to be able to generate well-founded forecasts and future action strategies for decision-makers.

Unique in technical competence and equipment

Many years of expertise and the high-quality measuring devices, laboratory and data infrastructure make it possible to combine a wide variety of geophysical processes within the institute, depending on the issue at hand. The entirety of the geophysical methods in the laboratory, on the computer and in the field offers a holistic view of temporal and spatial changes in the subsoil. This enables the LIAG to work on topics ranging from basic research to process research to applied research on very different scales - from the pore space of a rock to areas the size of Germany. These features make the LIAG unique in Germany.

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Interdisciplinary cooperation with other (geo)sciences is essential for answering socially relevant questions. The LIAG therefore cooperates with over 160 national and international organizations such as universities, colleges, research institutions, the state geological surveys and industry - currently in around 36 third-party funded projects.

Integration into the Geozentrum Hannover

A special feature of the LIAG is its integration into the Geozentrum Hannover. With the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) the institute benefits from a shared infrastructure and from one of the world's most comprehensive geoscientific specialist libraries. In the Geozentrum, access to technical knowledge and exchange in the applied geosciences is available in a breadth that is unique in Germany and in some cases internationally and is possible in a short, direct way. This results in synergetic cooperation in research.

Knowledge transfer as an important task

The institute is involved in political consulting public relation and the promotion of young talent . Researchers at LIAG are actively involved in academic teaching - in 2021 with teaching commitments at six universities. With the organization of subject-specific events such as conferences and seminars (e.g LIAG seminars ), colloquia and workshops, with keynotes and sessions at conferences and trade fairs, but also with presentations for the general public (e.g. November der Wissenschaft, Lower Saxony Day, IdeasExpo, Future Days), LIAG researchers continuously ensure knowledge transfer.

You can also find impressions of the research at LIAG on the social media channels of the institute.