Vortrag: Die aktuellen Erdbeben unter der Eifel

Laacher See National Geopark Lecture Series Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Vulkanpark Information Center, Rauschermühle, Plaidt The Laacher See National Geopark lecture series explores the fascinating world of volcanoes and their activity in Europe. This evening’s topic:Earthquake Monitoring in the Eifel—Milestones of the Last Two Decades—Dr. Martin Hensch, Southwest Seismological Service, Freiburg

For a long time, volcanic activity in the Eifel was considered extinct. Since the 1980s, however, the first doubts have arisen. And at the very latest since the discovery of low-frequency earthquakes in the lower crust and upper mantle beneath the Eastern Eifel, it has become clear: There is an active magmatic system beneath Lake Laach, and the Southwest Seismological Service is keeping a close eye on it—even though a volcanic eruption is unlikely in the foreseeable future.
The presentation focuses on the expansion of the seismological monitoring network over the past two decades, from the standards of that time to today’s highly sensitive real-time monitoring. The new capabilities and discoveries to date will be highlighted, as will the technical, scientific, and regulatory procedures followed by the Southwest Seismological Service in the event of tectonic or potentially magmatic earthquakes.

The Southwest Seismological Service is the association of the state earthquake services of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. The technical and scientific tasks of the Southwest Earthquake Service are now concentrated at the Baden-Württemberg State Earthquake Service in Freiburg. Regulatory matters, public relations, and advisory services remain the responsibility of the respective state services. Users of the information and data provided by the Southwest Seismological Service include the general public, the media, the police and disaster management agencies, operators of large-scale technical facilities, insurance companies, experts, standards committees, government agencies, and research institutions.

The 2026 lecture series is based on the collaboration and cooperation between the Laacher See National Geopark and the German Volcanological Society (DVG); a heartfelt thank you to the DVG and Prof. Lothar Viereck for the concept and for inviting the guest speakers. For more than three years now, the lecture series has been captivating many interested listeners.

At a glance:Free admission!
Laacher See National Geopark Lecture Series – Free admission!
Wednesday, August 12, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Vulkanpark Information Center Rauschermühle 6, 56637 Plaidt
Directions: vulkanpark.com/erleben/info-und-erlebniszentren/vulkanpark-infozentrum/

Questions?!
Laacher See National Geopark, Sarah Stein, Tel. 02636-9740212, sarah.stein@brohltal.de