At the heart of our exhibit is the question: How do we actually find the Earth’s resources? After all, resources such as groundwater, geothermal energy, or natural hydrogen lie beneath our feet. Using geophysical measurements, we can determine where resources occur underground and what opportunities and risks geology may hold for their sustainable use. Visitors can experience practical experiments and measurement methods up close as an introduction to geophysics – from drones to seismic sources that can be heard and seen, and even levitating magnets. We look forward to welcoming you in Hall 7, Energy Field!

Our exhibits on site:

Just fly! Drones as a platform for geophysical exploration

What potential does drone geophysics offer for locating mineral resources and groundwater? The use of drones has many advantages in geoscientific research. LIAG presents an innovative drone-supported measurement system. With this method, geophysicists investigate the subsurface using electromagnetic fields down to depths of one kilometre and fly over selected areas to analyse how the magnetic fields change depending on the geology. This approach enables researchers to locate the Earth’s resources from the air, assess their extent, support their sustainable use, and also detect hazards such as salinisation that may threaten groundwater. The impressive drone (1.5 metres in diameter) will be displayed together with the measurement set-up. In a flight simulator, visitors can also try their hand at flying the drone themselves.

Let’s Rock: How we use the seismic vibration source ELVIS to set the subsurface in motion and “listen” into the Earth

“Listening” into the Earth sounds strange? In seismics, we generate waves through audible vibrations and observe how they propagate through the subsurface. ELVIS, developed at LIAG, may be only about the size of a wheelbarrow, but it packs a punch: despite its compact design and the fact that it fits into a car boot, this seismic device helps to investigate the upper 200 metres of the subsurface in great detail. This is important, for example, for researching geohazards such as fault zones with earthquake potential, as well as groundwater and the search for stable ground for construction. Let ELVIS shake things up and experience how the waves spread.

Making waves and frequencies visible: Create Chladni figures!

You cannot see vibrations – or can you? Take a look at Chladni figures: when a plate vibrates, for example when excited by sound waves, sand forms impressive patterns known as Chladni figures. This makes it visible how waves propagate and where there are no or only weak vibrations. Vibrations with different physical properties produce different patterns. The exhibit demonstrates how different frequencies can generate different types of waves. Researchers use exactly this principle to create images of the subsurface and learn more about our Earth. Now it is your turn: find out how the patterns change when the frequency or volume is altered.

Sensitive seismics: LED oscilloscope with geophone connection

Geophones are used in seismic measurements to investigate the properties of the subsurface. What makes this exhibit special is that the geophone housing is transparent. This allows visitors to see just how robust yet sensitive these sensors are. Visitors can try to hold the geophone completely still. It quickly becomes clear that this is impossible. Even with the naked eye, you can see that the coil on its springs is constantly making the tiniest movements around a magnet. In combination with an LED oscilloscope, waves caused by stamping or jumping on the floor become directly visible. It also shows just how challenging it can be in the professional life of geophysicists to carry out measurements when even the slightest movement can affect them.

Workshops

On 23 June 2026, researchers and technicians from LIAG will offer two workshops on the topic: “Geophysics for the energy transition with geothermal energy: Build your own geophone”. Further information will follow.