Disaster Protection

GeoSphere Austria monitors meteorological, climatological, geological and geophysical processes and their effects around the clock. In the event of a crisis, it provides warnings and expert advice.

The core competence and main task of GeoSphere Austria is 24/7 availability and assistance, as well as consulting services for crisis and disaster management. This involves all hazards that are related directly or indirectly to the spheres of GeoSphere Austria (i.e. atmosphere and ground). The aim is to prevent or minimise damage and suffering. The core competences include in particular:

Heat

Heat is now the deadliest natural hazard in Austria. In Austria, urban areas and conurbations in particular are repeatedly and severely affected. The number of hot days – days on which the air temperature rises above 30 degrees Celsius – is steadily increasing. In 2024, more than 50 hot days were recorded in the centre of Vienna (Innere Stadt district) for the first time.

Weather

GeoSphere Austria provides weather forecasts around the clock. Warnings are issued in the event of extreme weather. These warnings refer to the expected effects and possible dangers rather than only on the weather itself.

Gravitational mass movements

Landslides, rockfalls, rockslides and rock avalanches can cause major damage to buildings and infrastructure. As a result, they endanger people’s living space and economic existence.

Earthquakes

The Seismological Service at GeoSphere Austria is the principal authority for earthquakes in Austria. As such, it is responsible for informing the population, relevant authorities, and disaster relief services about relevant earthquakes, operating the national seismic monitoring network, documenting the impact of earthquakes, and determining the earthquake hazard.

Avalanches

GeoSphere Austria manages various avalanche-warning services in Austria and thus plays an important role in safety in the mountains and on roads.

Space Weather

Space weather is becoming increasingly important in our technologically advanced world.

Nuclear Incidents

At GeoSphere Austria, various methods are used to detect nuclear explosions and to assess the risk in the event of a nuclear incident.

Chemical Accidents and Conflagration

Small-scale dispersion models support authorities, emergency responders and chemical establishments in the management of chemical accidents and conflagration.