The 17th North German Geothermal Conference brought together experts from science, industry and municipalities at the Geozentrum Hannover. Geothermal energy is an indispensable component of Germany’s heating transition. But how can geothermal energy from greater depths, in particular, be used even more effectively for local supply? Around 150 experts addressed this question over two days at the 17th North German Geothermal Conference at the Geozentrum Hannover.

The new crime novel Marconi und die schweigenden Lämmer by Daniele Palu (publication date: 17 April 2026, Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag) shows that the North Sea coast is shaped not only by harsh winds, but also by complex processes deep underground. To portray the natural characteristics of the region around St Peter-Ording as authentically as possible, the true-crime expert and journalist sought scientific support from the LIAG Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG) in Hanover. This is because geophysics can help to investigate processes taking place beneath the surface.

Demand for strategic raw materials in Germany is increasing significantly. In the new joint research project DESMEX-MinD, researchers from the LIAG Institute for Applied Geophysics (LIAG, Hanover), together with the Universities of Münster and Freiberg, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz-IPHT, Jena), the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR, Hanover), the State Authority for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG, Hanover), and industrial partners, are further developing innovative technologies and integrated approaches for the exploration of ore deposits. The project focuses on the mining regions of the Ore Mountains and the Upper Harz.

LIAG researcher in the "on-ice team": An international team has set up a remote camp on the ice 700 km from the nearest base, New Zealand’s Scott Base, to attempt to drill for mud and rocks holding critical insights about the fate of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in our warming world. The vast West Antarctic Ice Sheet holds enough ice to raise global sea level by 4-5 m if it melts completely. It is protected on one side by the Ross Ice Shelf, the world’s largest floating ice mass, that serves as a buttress slowing the flow of glaciers and ice streams towards the sea. As our climate warms, the Ross Ice Shelf is becoming increasingly vulnerable, but there is uncertainty around what global temperature increase will trigger unsustainable melting…

The LIAG Institute for Applied Geophysics has completed extensive seismic fieldwork for the GeoMetEr research project in the municipality association of Harsefeld. Following 2D profiles acquired in spring and an area-wide 3D survey campaign in autumn, the datasets are now entering the processing and interpretation phase. In October, additional airborne geophysical measurements were carried out using a helicopter survey. GeoMetEr aims to further develop geophysical measurement and data processing methods so that geological structures in the subsurface can be imaged with higher resolution and greater reliability in the future.

Starting on 7 October 2025, a research team from LIAG, the University of Münster, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V. and Supracon AG will conduct geophysical measurement flights with a helicopter in the municipality of Harsefeld in the district of Stade. The measurements are part of the GeoMetEr research project. The aim is to develop geophysical measurement and evaluation methods in order to be able to map the geology underground in high resolution. The measurement area focuses on the overburden above salt domes. The Federal Company for Final Storage is funding the research – but only in areas that are excluded as final storage sites.

Schulenburg near Pattensen (Hanover region, Germany) is known to be located on the Leine River. However, it is less well known that around 200 million years ago it was located on or in the sea, which is the subject of a geological investigation currently being carried out by the State Office for Mining, Energy, and Geology (LBEG). A borehole is to be drilled to a depth of 350 meters. LIAG researchers are carrying out part of the borehole geophysics.

Start of the November of Science: LIAG participating as a partner

From 5 to 23 November 2025, Hannover’s universities, research institutions and education organisations invite the public to experiments, talks, discussions and exhibitions under the motto #knowember. More than 100 events can be found online at www.hannover.de/knowember. LIAG is a partner of Initiative Wissenschaft Hannover: at the public opening event on 5 November, researchers will be interviewed at Herrenhausen Palace in Hannover about their stay in Antarctica. On 7 and 13 November 2025, LIAG researchers will take visitors on a research expedition to Antarctica and to the Kalahari.

Nearly 1,000 guests attended the Geothermal Day hosted by the Lower Saxony State Office for Mining, Energy and Geology (LBEG) at the GEOZENTRUM Hannover. Among them: Lower Saxony’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Grant Hendrik Tonne, who spoke with Prof. Dr. Inga Moeck at the LIAG measurement truck to learn about the current state of research on geothermal energy for Germany’s heat transition.