DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT.
The DEPARTMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT (TEK) is responsible for risks affecting the soil, subsoil, and both surface and groundwater. These risks may arise from industrial accidents, radiation, radioactive minerals and ores, biological hazards, and other man-made disasters. The department operates under the DIRECTORATE OF NATURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL HAZARDS MANAGEMENT (DFYTEK).
DFYTEK was established in March 2019 under Law 4602/2019 (Government Gazette A’ 45/09-03-2019), when the Hellenic Authority for Geological and Mineral Research (H.S.G.M.E.) was created. Its purpose is to strengthen the Geological Service’s contribution to the management of geohazards, and it is structured into two departments.
The directorate’s mandate includes the identification, documentation, research, and assessment of natural and technological hazards, in close collaboration with the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of the Ministry for Citizen Protection, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and other competent authorities.
Geohazards cover not only natural processes—such as landslides, erosion, earthquake-related effects, volcanic hazards, water risks, and floods— but also human-induced risks, including industrial accidents and technological failures that may damage soil, subsoil, or water resources. Environmental exposure to radiation from radioactive elements, minerals, and ores also falls within this scope.
DFYTEK works closely with citizens, based on the principle that well-informed people are better prepared to respond in times of risk.
Role of the Department of Technological Hazards Prevention & Management (TEK)
Tackling technological hazards requires an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. For this reason, TEK works in close cooperation with the Department of Natural Hazards Prevention & Management (FYC) as well as other units of H.S.G.M.E..
The department’s main activities include:
1. Assessing the impact of active fault systems in industrial areas
A national database of Greece’s active fault systems is being developed, compiling all available information on the country’s geodynamic setting. This includes past studies conducted by the former Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), now H.S.G.M.E.. The database will contain geo-referenced information, descriptive and numerical analyses, and the geometric and kinematic characteristics of fault systems, categorized according to international standards as:
(a) seismic faults
(b) active faults
(c) potentially active faults
Data will also include maximum potential seismic energy release and expected displacement. The project’s outcome will be hazard scenarios and the identification of high-risk areas:
- Hazard scenarios: Analysis of available data to develop scenarios of environmental risk, including potential industrial accidents triggered by active faults. These will estimate the probability and extent of pollutant releases and their likely impacts on the geological and hydrogeological environment.
- Risk assessment: Identification of industrial zones with higher risk, based on hazard scenarios and evaluation results, particularly where facilities are located near active faults.
2. Updating the national seismotectonic map with new technologies and geodatabases
A new seismotectonic geodatabase is being developed to meet the needs of different user groups by integrating multidimensional data. Its main beneficiaries include:
- The state and civil protection authorities, for preparedness and decision-making,
- Engineers, for earthquake-resilience measures,
- The scientific community,
- The general public.
For the first time in 35 years, the national seismotectonic map will be fully revised with updated data and modern methodologies. The new geodatabase will be scalable, regularly updated, and openly accessible to all stakeholders. It will be managed by the Hellenic Authority for Geological and Mineral Research (H.S.G.M.E.), specifically through DFYTEK.
Read more about the Department of Natural Hazards Prevention & Management (FYC):