Georesources and Geohazards
We focus our research on fundamental understanding of processes involved in the generation of Georesources, on new methods for the discovery and exploitation of those resources, and on the environmental factors leading to geological hazard and associated risk.
Research groups in the Georesources and Geohazards theme also work with industrial and governmental partners to exploit this fundamental understanding, as applied to the discovery and quantification of new resources, to the mitigation of hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and nuclear waste disposal, and to investigate processes and risks associated with the exploitation of deep geothermal energy.
Highlights and achievements
- The addition of a new research group focussing on Geothermal Energy and Geofluids, funded by the Werner Siemens Foundation.
- The development of a numerical understanding of the pattern and duration of fluid flow in magmatic hydrothermal systems by the Mineral Resource Systems and Ore Fluids research group.
- Advances made by the Exploration and Environmental Geophysics research group in sampling theory and signal processing resulting in new systems for acquisition of seismic data (Robertsson).
- The Engineering Geology research group developed new “big data” tools for automated and satellite-based mapping and monitoring hazards on the scale of orogens (Alps, Himalaya).
- The Rock Physics and Mechanics Laboratory to study processes that control earthquakes, creep, rock strength degradation, and generation of permeability in the Earth crust.
- Underground experimental infrastructure Bedretto Underground Lab for in-situ investigations of THM coupled processes in fractured rocks and design of EGS drilling, stimulation, and well completion protocols.
In the ETH News
What should be done with all the carbon dioxide?
Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and storing it either in recycled concrete aggregate or in geological reservoirs in Iceland is not only technically feasible, but also has a positive carbon footprint. These are the findings of a pilot project lead by ETH Zurich and commissioned by the Swiss confederation.