Geological hazards in the form of mass movements such as rock falls, rock slides, landslides and sinkholes are mainly the result of natural weathering processes of rocks, but partly also of improper artificial interventions. They entail a considerable hazard potential.
To reduce existing geohazards, the Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU) advises authorities in the Free State on request. In addition, the LfU is involved in licensing procedures as a public interest agency with regard to geological risks.
For particularly sensitive areas, hazard indication maps are prepared that provide an overview of the hazard situation. The maps are available for the Alpine region, the Alpine foothills, the Franconian Jura and several districts in Lower Franconia; for the areas of Bavaria that are still missing, they are in progress and will be completed by 2025.
A digital site information georisks on the Internet with an address search function enables initial information about geohazards at a specific location.
In the course of the GEORISK project, data on mass movements in Bavaria are continuously and systematically collected and stored in a database. These data are available free of charge in the online map service UmweltAtlas Bayern of the State Office for the Environment (see "Further links") and can be displayed in maps.
Earthquakes are to be taken into account according to DIN 4149. In Bavaria, this applies in particular to areas around Ingolstadt and on the edge of the Alps.