Marine Geophysics

The working group Marine Geophysics specializes in imaging the seafloor and the upper 50 meters of the subsurface. By integrating geophysical and sedimentological methods, we uncover insights into the dynamic processes shaping marine environments.

Our research focuses on enhancing marine remote sensing techniques to better understand and monitor geological and biological characteristics of shallow-water habitats. Other key areas include reconstructing the Pleistocene and Holocene evolution of sedimentary systems in marginal seas, driven by climate change and sea-level variations, as well as identifying sites of archaeological significance.

While much of our work is centered in the Baltic Sea, our research extends to the North Sea, the North Atlantic, and recently the Canary Islands, reflecting our commitment to advancing knowledge across diverse marine systems.

+++ new project: SEASCAPE +++

The SEASCAPE project investigates large underwater structures of Stone Age origin located on the seabed of the western Baltic Sea, which was once a terrestrial landscape. These unique sites have the potential to offer new insights into the prehistoric societies of Northern Germany. The hunter-gatherers who lived in Northern Europe after the last Ice Age, around 14,000 years ago, are generally considered to have been highly mobile and not very territorial. However, the existence of man-made megastructures from this period would require a fundamental reevaluation of these paradigms.

Coordinated by the IOW, the project also involves partners from the University of Rostock, Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel, and the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology. Additionally, the State Office for Culture and Monument Preservation in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the State Archaeological Office of Schleswig-Holstein, responsible for cultural heritage protection, are participating in the initiative.

Recognition Awards for SEASCAPE (German)