...is Germany's national centre for Earth system research. It is one of 18 centres belonging to the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest research organisation, and part of the Helmholtz Research Field “Earth and Environment”.  

Taking the pulse of our Earth to safeguard a habitable planet.

Our mission is to explore our dynamic planet from core to surface, from ground to space, from grain to globe, from past to future. We aim to bring our fundamental science to practical solutions that secure a sustainable life on Earth.

GFZ aims to comprehensively understand the Earth system and the dynamic processes within, on and around our planet. We use this knowledge to develop strategies and solutions to address global change and its regional impacts, understand natural hazards and mitigate associated risks, assess human impacts on the Earth system, and enable the responsible provision of energy and mineral resources.

The challenges we face as a society are inextricably linked to the dynamics of our entire planet, not only to the solid Earth and the surface on which we live, but also to the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere and the chemical, physical and biological processes that connect all these spheres. We therefore view our planet as a system with interacting components. We explore the structure and history of the Earth, its properties and the dynamics of its interior and surface, and we use our fundamental understanding to develop solutions needed to maintain planet Earth as a safe habitat. Therefore, the transfer of technology and knowledge to various areas of society is an intrinsic part of our research.

In pursuit of our mission, we have developed a comprehensive spectrum of expertise in geodesy, geophysics, geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, physics, geomorphology, geobiosciences, mathematics, and engineering. This is complemented by our deep methodological and technological knowhow and innovation: We establish and operate expansive instrument networks, arrays, national and international observatories, as well as data and analytical infrastructures. 

To accomplish our large-scale tasks, we have also established MESI, the worldwide unique Modular Earth Science Infrastructure. Its satellite systems, laboratories, global observatories, and mobile devices make MESI a centrepiece of the Helmholtz Association's Research Field Earth and Environment, facilitating collaboration with other centres in the association that have complementary expertise, as well as with other national and international partner institutions. 

Our research is organized in a matrix structure, with disciplinary competences grouped in five scientific departments. The departments guarantee the development and continuity of disciplinary skills, methods, and infrastructures. This is an indispensable foundation for our ability to engage with evolving scientific insights, new technologies, and unexpected, pressing challenges of societal relevance.