Large-Scale 3D Seismic Survey Sets Stage for Munich's Geothermal Expansion

Deep Subsurface Geothermal Reservoir Exploration in Munich

The greater Munich area in Germany is preparing for the most comprehensive geological subsurface investigation in German history. Programmed under the GIGA-M research initiative, a massive 1,100 square kilometer 3D seismic survey is scheduled to commence by the end of August 2026. This landmark project represents a collaborative efforts between Stadtwerke München (SWM), the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Energie-Wende-Garching (EWG), and the City of Munich, backed by funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

Closing Data Gaps for District Heating

Currently, Munich’s geothermal reservoir is tapped by approximately 50 boreholes providing 400 MW of thermal output. However, geological experts estimate the total exploitable thermal potential at more than 1,000 MW. The upcoming 3D seismic campaign aims to:

• Synthesize existing borehole records with newly gathered high-frequency seismic measurements.
• Map deep-underground water-bearing strata (thermal aquifers) with millimeter-scale accuracy.
• Build an open-source, high-definition 3D model of the Munich basin subsurface to guide municipal drilling.

This massive model will be made fully public upon project completion to facilitate and accelerate district heating development across Bavaria.