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Climate Research at GSI

Geological Survey Ireland teams are involved in climate research in a number of key areas. We collaborate with partners in Ireland and internationally to better understand the interaction of the solid Earth with our atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere. We also provide data on past climates, the ongoing impact of climate change on our natural world, and we look at how these impacts will affect us into the future.

1.Groundwater research – flooding and droughts

The Groundwater team in GSI have a number of projects investigating the impact of climate change on our groundwater aquifers. This was highlighted in 2018 with significant droughts affecting much of the country. Link to GW3D project.

Since 2015 GSI has led a multi partner project investigating groundwater flooding in karst areas, in particular in Roscommon and Galway and recently extending to additional locations. This work is using ground based measurements and satellite data to assess the impact of turlough flooding in local communities and the longer terms trends to examine whether these flood events are increasing in scale and frequency. Link to GWFlood project.

2. Geothermal research

GSI has recently been developing the geothermal research team with particular interest in investigating the potential for geothermal energy for district heating and highlighting the use of shallow geothermal for residential heating.
As part of this programme of work, and in the context of the Climate Action Plan 2019, in 2020 GSI will publish a Roadmap for the development of geothermal energy for district heating.

We are also funding and collaborating with national and international partners to support research policy and technological and scientific development in this area for the Irish market.

3. Coastal change and sea-level research

We are partners on the international Coastal Erosion from Space project funded by the European Space Agency.  The project is developing & demonstrating innovative Earth Observation (EO) products, including satellite data, to monitor and measure volumetric changes in sediments in coastal areas. Link to ESA project

GSI with the Discovery Programme and partners in Wales have been funded through the Interreg EU programme to use new technologies to quantify coastal change and in particular its affect on cultural heritage along the coast and on the seafloor. The Marine and Coastal Unit in GSI have been mapping shipwrecks, coastal cliffs and beach and headlands to estimate the rate of erosion / re-deposition an the impact over time of climate change in these areas. Link to CHERISH project

Our Marine and Coastal Unit and Geological Mapping Programme have developed a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) to evaluate the impact of sea-level rise on the coast of Ireland. This project is developing maps and visual tools to identify coastal areas that are prone to coastal flooding. The project is also modelling potential future inundation resulting from sea-level rise. The products from this project will help planners and climate mitigation groups to prepare appropriately to future threats. Link to CVI project

4. Landslides research

​As a result of climate change, we are experiencing an increase in the number and frequency of landslide events, primarily due increased rainfall. Since 2003 we have been developing our landslide project with the establishment of the Irish Landslides Working Group and their subsequent report on Landslides in Ireland and a landslide susceptibility map. Following this have also developed a database which now hosts several thousand individual events in Ireland.

We are currently working with key stakeholders and research groups to further develop this database and a landslide hazard map.

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​​​​​Research themesDescription

1.Groundwater research – flooding and droughts

 

The Groundwater team in GSI have a number of projects investigating the impact of climate change on our groundwater aquifers. This was highlighted in 2018 with significant droughts affecting much of the country. Link to GW3D project.

Since 2015 GSI has led a multi partner project investigating groundwater flooding in karst areas, in particular in Roscommon and Galway and recently extending to additional locations. This work is using ground based measurements and satellite data to assess the impact of turlough flooding in local communities and the longer terms trends to examine whether these flood events are increasing in scale and frequency. Link to GWFlood project.

2. Geothermal research

 

GSI has recently been developing the geothermal research team with particular interest in investigating the potential for geothermal energy for district heating and highlighting the use of shallow geothermal for residential heating.
As part of this programme of work, and in the context of the Climate Action Plan 2019, in 2020 GSI will publish a Roadmap for the development of geothermal energy for district heating.

We are also funding and collaborating with national and international partners to support research policy and technological and scientific development in this area for the Irish market.

3. Coastal change and sea-level research

 

We are partners on the international Coastal Erosion from Space project funded by the European Space Agency.  The project is developing & demonstrating innovative Earth Observation (EO) products, including satellite data, to monitor and measure volumetric changes in sediments in coastal areas. Link to ESA project

GSI with the Discovery Programme and partners in Wales have been funded through the Interreg EU programme to use new technologies to quantify coastal change and in particular its affect on cultural heritage along the coast and on the seafloor. The Marine and Coastal Unit in GSI have been mapping shipwrecks, coastal cliffs and beach and headlands to estimate the rate of erosion / re-deposition an the impact over time of climate change in these areas. Link to CHERISH project

Our Marine and Coastal Unit and Geological Mapping Programme have developed a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) to evaluate the impact of sea-level rise on the coast of Ireland. This project is developing maps and visual tools to identify coastal areas that are prone to coastal flooding. The project is also modelling potential future inundation resulting from sea-level rise. The products from this project will help planners and climate mitigation groups to prepare appropriately to future threats. Link to CVI project

4. Landslides

 

As a result of climate change, we are experiencing an increase in the number and frequency of landslide events, primarily due increased rainfall. Since 2003 we have been developing our landslide project with the establishment of the Irish Landslides Working Group and their subsequent report on Landslides in Ireland and a landslide susceptibility map. Following this have also developed a database which now hosts several thousand individual events in Ireland.

We are currently working with key stakeholders and research groups to further develop this database and a landslide hazard map.

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