Natural (Geo) Hazards

Geohazards can cause widespread damage to landscapes, wildlife, human property and human life. In Ireland, landslides, subsidence, flooding and coastal erosion are the most prevalent of these hazards. We recommend that geohazards be taken into consideration, especially when developing areas where these risks are prevalent, and we encourage the use of our data when doing so.

Landslides

Landslides in Ireland are common in areas of peat, rock near surface and in fine to coarse range materials (such as glacial tills). We have information available on landslides in Ireland via the National Landslide Database and Landslide Susceptibility Map both of which are available for viewing on our dedicated Map Viewer. Associated guidance documentation relating to the National Landslide Susceptibility Map is also available and must be considered in using this data.

Landslide Data Access

Flooding

Geological Survey Ireland engaged in a national project on Groundwater Flooding (GWFlood). The follow on project

GWClimate is a groundwater monitoring and modelling project that aims to investigate the impact of climate change on groundwater in Ireland.

The data from this project may be useful in relation to Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and management plans, and is described in more detail under Environmental Assessment and Planning topic ‘Water’.

Go to 'Water'

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is formed by the radioactive decay of Uranium (U). Uranium is usually found in igneous rocks and rocks with a high organic content such as shale. Thin or highly permeable soils will also increase the risk of radon reaching the surface. This means that certain areas of the country are at a greater risk from radon, such as areas built on igneous rocks, like granite..

Exposure to high concentrations of radon is known to increase the risk of lung cancer. Accurate mapping of its occurrence can help identify households potentially at risk from exposure to radon and assist with highlighting high radon areas for future development. In Ireland, the radon risk map is produced from indoor radon measurements and geological data by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In areas where few measurements exist there may be difficulty in determining radon risks. However Geological Survey Ireland has worked with the EPA to understand and predict natural sources of radon in rocks, soils and waters nationwide. An updated radon risk map is accessible from the EPA website here.

Radon Data Access

Subsidence

We would like to draw your attention to Geological Survey Ireland’s work on subsidence and ground instability associated with compressible ground. Ground instabilities affect parts of Co. Dublin and Geological Survey of Ireland has developed a map and report which shows and describes areas of potential or observed ground instabilities as part of the FP7 PanGeo project.

Geological Survey of Ireland datasets along with Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSi) mapping, PSI datasets and limited field validation were used to develop this interpretation.

The PanGeo interpretation has led to the delineation of 9 polygons (areas) within which potential or observed ground instabilities have been identified. The PanGeo Dublin report is available here and the Cork report is available here.

One of the datasets used to investigate ground instability in the PanGeo project was satellite derived radar interferometry. Currently the Copernicus European Ground Motion Service provides processed Sentinel-1 radar data to help detect and measure ground movements across Europe.

Karstified bedrock can have the potential to cause subsidence due to changes below the ground. Information on our karst data bases is discussed under the environmental assessment and planning topic 'Water' (Flooding).

PanGEO Data Access

Coastal Vulnerability

Coastal Vulnerability while seen as a potential geohazard, is discussed in more detail under the EIA topic of ‘Climate Change’.

Go to 'Climate Change'