Our collections of fossils, minerals, rocks and sediment cores support researchers to dive deep into Earth’s history, aid in mapping natural resource availability and provide policy makers with data for informed decision-making regarding e.g. land use planning.
Keeping records for science, education and
future generations
GeoSphere Austria is dedicated to the meticulous collection, classification, archiving, and preservation of fossils, minerals, rocks and sediment cores found in Austria. Our primary goal is to maintain these irreplaceable natural records for ongoing scientific research, education, and public engagement, ensuring they remain accessible for future generations.
In addition, using fossils from the collection, our team of palaeontologists establish the relative ages of rock formations and correlate rock and sediment layers (strata) from different locations. This is done through a process called ‘biostratigraphy’: Imagine finding different types of fossils in a layer of rock, for example shells, bones, pollen and plants. By knowing when those organisms lived, palaeontologists can tell how old each rock layer is and how they connect with other layers around the world having the same fossil content. This work is essential for geological mapping and understanding past climate change. By studying these natural records, we reconstruct past climates, landscapes, and environments, providing valuable insights into Earth’s history.
The collections serve as a valuable resource for a wide range of stakeholders and are instrumental in advancing geological and palaeontological science, supporting educational initiatives, and informing industry and policy decision makers.
Scientists including geologists, palaeontologists and mineralogists, benefit greatly from the access to diverse specimens for research. These collections facilitate the study of minerals, fossils, and geological processes. Even outer space exploration benefits from the collection. Understanding the vestige of past life on Earth helps scientist recognizing signs of life on other planets while studying terrestrial rocks helps scientists draw parallels with extra-terrestrial geology.
Civil society
During specific outreach initiatives, we use the fossils of our collections to enrich the educational experience for the public and inform about palaeontological and geological topics. Furthermore, private collectors and enthusiasts also find significant value in our extensive repository of minerals and fossils. Most importantly, the collection plays a crucial role in the preservation of Austrian geological heritage and its safeguarding for future generations.
Geological mapping divisions and engineering firms
GeoSphere Austria’s geological mapping division, along with all regional geological divisions as well as engineering firms, relies on these collections to support detailed and accurate geological mapping projects.
Government and policy makers
The drilling cores repository is particularly crucial, providing essential data for geotechnical and civil engineers, as well as government and policy makers. These data aid in land use planning, resource exploration, natural resource management, and the development of environmental protection policies. In addition, these data support informed decision-making regarding resource extraction, conservation, and hazard mitigation.
Record keeping: collecting, identifying and
archiving
At GeoSphere Austria, the collection is built on three main pillars: collecting, identifying and archiving.
Collecting fossils, minerals and rocks
We gather plant and animal macro- and microfossils from Austria as part of our geological mapping efforts. We collect diverse mineral and rock samples, crucial for understanding Austria’s geological diversity.
Identifying fossils
We describe previously unknown fossils and minerals, assigning them scientific names. We also constantly update the identification and classification of fossils thanks to new technologies and advances in scientific understanding. This is called “revision”, it is a dynamic and never-ending process as science and technologies constantly provide new insights and tools for more precise identifications.
Archiving fossils, minerals, rocks and sediment cores
We catalog, preserve, and store fossils, minerals, and rocks, mainly from Austria and the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. We also archive and preserve drilling cores from the Austrian territory to support a range of scientific studies. These cores are invaluable for understanding the geological history and structure of the country. They provide critical data for research in fields such as stratigraphy, palaeontology, sedimentology, and mineralogy. By maintaining a comprehensive collection of these samples, we facilitate research into Austria’s natural resources, raw materials, and support geotechnical and engineering studies.
Spotlight on fossils
Fossils are the preserved remains, impressions, or traces of ancient organisms of animal and plant origin that lived millions of years ago. They are typically found in sedimentary rocks and soft sediments and they are categorized into macro- and microfossils. Macrofossils are the larger remains of ancient organisms that are visible with the naked eye or with minimal magnification, such as plant leafs, shells, bones, footprints. Microfossils are the smaller remains or traces of ancient organisms that require a microscope for study as they usually are smaller than 1 mm. Examples are Foraminifera, pollen grains, and microscopic algae. Fossils provide a direct record of past life and environments. By studying different types of fossils, our team of palaeontologists can reconstruct the development of life on Earth, understand how ecosystems have changed over time, and learn about ancient climates and environments.
How our collections came to be
The origin of GeoSphere Austria’s collections dates back almost 200 years. Click on the boxes to learn more about the collections in past times.
A legacy since 1835
GeoSphere Austria owns rich and storied collections of plant and animal fossils, minerals, rocks, and sediment cores, with origins dating back to 1835. Initially established as the “Montanistische Museum” (mining museum), this collection laid the foundation for what would become the Geologische Reichsanstalt (Imperial Geological Survey) in 1849. Over the years, the collection has expanded significantly, thanks to the dedicated efforts of mapping geologists and specific expeditions throughout the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. These early contributions created an impressive repository originally intended for educational purposes and as an exhibition collection, which found its home in the Palais Rasumofsky in Vienna.
Challenges during World War II
The advent of World War II posed significant threats to the collections. As the war front approached in 1945, the need to protect these invaluable objects became urgent. Despite efforts to move the collections to safer rooms, Palais Rasumofsky was struck by three bombs and the explosions buried portions of the collections. Through the tireless efforts of volunteers and soldiers, a substantial part of the collections was recovered, though some items were lost forever.
A new purpose in 1981
The year 1981 marked a pivotal moment for the collection. The “Forschungsorganisationsgesetz” (a law regulating research organisations in Austria) of 1981 redefined their purpose, transitioning from an exhibition-focused repository to a resource for national and international scientific research. This legislative change integrated the collections into the Palaeontology Department of the Geological Survey of Austria, cementing their role in advancing geological and palaeontological science.
