The Department of Marine Geology collects and communicates geological knowledge about the Danish seabed. The geological model is the basic element for solving marine geological tasks within research, development and consultancy in Denmark and internationally.
The main activity of GEUS’ marine geology is mapping of the seabed’s raw materials. The department also maps the seabed surface sediments, as a background for habitat mapping and VVM memorandums (assessment of effects on the environment). The department’s climate-related studies focus on basin studies combining geological development history with climate proxies. Remote sensing, marine geophysical and sediment data are compiled in detailed descriptions of sediment envirionments and their climate development histories.
Geological tasks in connection with offshore installations, such as bridges or tunnels, harbour constructions, cable trenches, wind turbine parks are also part of our job, as well as the geological structure of the coastal zone.
Geophysical data are collected and stored in the national raw material database Marta and seabed sample data in the Jupiter database. The national databases are used in connection with raw material evaluation projects and marine areal planning in Denmark and in EU projects.
The geological mapping includes research and consultancy on 3D geological model construction in Denmark and internationally, focusing especially on the integration of Airborne Electromagnetic data (AEM).
We also produce surface geology maps and carry out onshore mapping of raw materials and manage the geological well sample laboratory and Well Data Archive at GEUS. Another research area is ground source heating and cooling and geological storage of heat.
Within groundwater, we support the groundwater mapping carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency and the groundwater monitoring activities at GEUS, including the yearly reporting of the monitoring results. We also perform research within drinking water and health.
Areas of expertise