We are pleased to welcome another full member to our network, GeoSphere Austria (GSA). GeoSphere Austria has been Austria's federal institute for geology, geophysics, climatology and meteorology since January 1, 2023. It was formed by the merger of the Geologische Bundesanstalt (GBA) and the Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG). 

As the national geological, geophysical, climatological and meteorological service, GeoSphere Austria plays an important role in increasing Austria’s resilience and disaster preparedness. By contributing to a prevention-oriented approach to climate change, GSA aims to secure a sustainable development of Austria. Through its broad spectrum of research in space weather, avalanches, air pollutants, earthquakes, landslides, weather and climate change, GeoSphere Austria also provides data and services that make an important contribution to disaster risk management in Austria.

GSA employs about 500 people, with locations in Vienna at the Hohe Warte and the Neulinggasse. Regional offices are located in Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz and Klagenfurt. In addition, GeoSphere Austria operates the Sonnblick Observatory in Salzburg, the Conrad Observatory near Pernitz and a geophysical test site near Melk (both in Lower Austria).

The representatives of GeoSphere Austria within DCNA are Matthias Themeßl (head of customer service center and project coordination) and Andreas Schaffhauser (GSA's general director):

“As the national weather service, extreme weather warnings are an essential part of our work. Cooperating with research partners in the field of disaster control via DCNA is, therefore, very important to us.”

DCNA's managing director Christian Resch also believes that this collaboration is important:

“The partnership with GeoSphere Austria is an important signal to strengthen collaboration with universities, technical colleges and research institutions to develop sound solutions to the challenges of climate change and meteorological disaster risks.”