Paleoseismology in Germany and Adjacent Regions – Updating and Improving the PalSeisDB v2.0

We present a comprehensive update and improvement to the Paleoseismic Database of Germany and Adjacent Regions (PalSeisDB v2.0), compiling a broad range of paleoseismic records for Germany and surrounding parts of Central Europe. It compiles previously published and partly unpublished findings of paleoseismic evidence, complementing the short timespan covered by the region’s historical and instrumental earthquake catalog. Such limited coverage does not reflect the long seismic cycles characteristic of Central Europe. Hence, PalSeisDB was developed to document paleoseismic evidence, including data from trenches, soft-sediment deformation, and mass movements, thereby extending the earthquake record into pre-historic times documenting seismicity. This forms a key element for seismic hazard assessments. The first version of PalSeisDB provided evidence for multiple events in various locations within the region. Newly acquired information has now been integrated, revealing a broader distribution of paleoseismic features. We suspect that a considerable amount of evidence has not yet been discovered in detail, especially to characterize fault systems, which are often showing temporal and spatial clustering seismicity. In the updated version, paleoearthquakes have been evaluated and assigned to potential seismogenic sources, indicating seismic activity over geological timescales. The considerable increase in documented paleoseismic observations underlines the scientific importance of comprehending this study. Further developments for PalSeisDB include improving data structure, integrating historical seismic events with environmental earthquake effects, and implementing a public, web-based map interface. This updated resource aims to support ongoing research and facilitate collaboration among the geoscientific community, ultimately enhancing our understanding of seismic hazards in Central Europe.