Map layers: Risk
The Risk category brings together natural hazard and environmental risk layers for purchase assessments, due diligence and planning processes. The layers show caution zones for landslides, floods, quick clay and storm surge, as well as radon risk and contaminated land. All hazard zone maps are indicator maps: they point to a need for closer investigation, they do not document whether a hazard actually exists on a specific property. The sources are primarily NVE, NGI and Miljødirektoratet.
Screenshot: Landslides activated over central Oslo.
Layers in this category (16)
| Layer | Description | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Stations Response Time | Fire stations with driving distance within 5, 10 and 20 minutes | Placepoint |
| Cultural heritage - Askeladden WMS | All cultural heritage data from Askeladden (the national cultural heritage database) | Riksantikvaren |
| Traffic accidents – temperature | Accident location, weather conditions and extent of injury for personal injury accidents | Statens vegvesen. Dataset: Trafikkulykker |
| Traffic accidents – heat map | Heat map for accident-prone locations | Statens vegvesen |
| Quick clay | Zones with potential hazard of quick clay landslides | Norges vassdrags-og energidirektorat |
| Quick Clay – Caution | Caution zones for quick clay based on marine clay deposits and terrain criteria | Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) |
| Landslides | Caution map for rockfall, snow avalanches and earth slides | Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) |
| Radon susceptibility | Zones with probably elevated radon risk | Norges geologiske undersøkelse (NGU). Dataset: Radonaktsomhet |
| Possibility of marine clay | Combined loose mass and marine limit analysis | Norges geologiske undersøkelse (NGU). Dataset: Mulighet for marin leire |
| Loose masses | Distribution of loose mass types | Norges geologiske undersøkelse (NGU) |
| Contaminated land | Properties with contaminated land and landfills | Miljødirektoratet |
| High tide / storm surge | Storm surge climate-adjusted to 2050 and 2100, return period 20/200/1,000 years | Kartverket. Dataset: Høyvann og stormflo |
| Flood areas, flood protection areas, and flood events | Flood-prone zones, flood protection and historical events | Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE). Dataset: Flomområder, flomvernområder og flomhendelser |
| Caution surfaces, (regulated) water, dams | Caution map for floods and dam information | Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) |
| Protection structures | Structures built against floods, erosion and landslides, with measure type and year of construction | Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) |
| Snow avalanches, Armed Forces hazard map | Release and runout areas from the Armed Forces' own mapping | Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) |
| Flood hazard map | Flood zones show areas that are flooded at different flood magnitudes (return period) | Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) |
| Industrial emissions | Land-based industrial plants with an emission permit, with industry, operating status and whether the plant emits to air or water | Miljødirektoratet |
Cultural heritage - Askeladden WMS
All cultural heritage data from Askeladden, Riksantikvaren's national cultural heritage database. Shows automatically protected cultural heritage (from the Middle Ages and earlier), heritage sites protected by decision and SEFRAK-registered buildings. A cultural heritage site within a plan area can give grounds for objection and require archaeological investigation under the Cultural Heritage Act. The layer is also available under Property.
About the map layer
The display service contains data on archaeological cultural heritage, cultural environments, buildings and technical installations that are protected under the Cultural Heritage Act or the Planning and Building Act. The service also contains cultural heritage sites and cultural environments without formal protection, but registered as locally valuable, as well as world heritage areas and environments.
Update frequency: Real time.
Sublayers (17)
| Sublayers | Description |
|---|---|
| Buildings | Building is the matrikkel's representation of a building that is planned, under construction, completed or, for some reason, withdrawn. All buildings constructed after 1983 are registered. Some municipalities have registered every building. A building is identified by its building number, which is unique across municipalities. Every building has a building status that states its condition at the last registration. History is also stored for this. A building has one or more usable units that describe logical units in the building (flats, premises). Each of these can have its own link to an address and a matrikkelenhet. For buildings, certain changes are registered so that it is possible to see what each change meant for the building. This is relevant for conversions and extensions that require building case processing. It is done by registering a "building change" when the change starts. When the building change is completed, the building is updated with values from the building change. Note: buildings over 15 square metres must be registered in the matrikkel. |
| Buildings (SEFRAK) | Buildings registered in the SEFRAK cultural heritage database. |
| Protected buildings | Buildings protected as cultural heritage. |
| Cultural heritage | Registered cultural heritage sites and objects. |
| Individual monument (icons) | Icon layer for individual cultural heritage sites. |
| Localities (icons) | Icon layer for cultural heritage localities. |
| Protection Zones | Zones set up to protect cultural heritage. |
| Localities | Registered cultural heritage localities. |
| Individual Heritage Sites | Individual cultural heritage objects. |
| Fire Protection | Elements linked to fire safety and fire protection. |
| Fire Spread Area (Icons) | Icon layer showing possible areas for fire spread. |
| Conservation-worthy dense wooden-house environment (icons) | Icon layer for dense historical wooden-house environments with conservation value. |
| Conservation-worthy dense wooden-house areas | Areas with dense historical wooden buildings with conservation value. |
| Fire spread areas | Areas that delimit possible fire spread. |
| Cultural environments | Combined environments of cultural heritage and surroundings. |
| Cultural Environment (Icons) | Icon layer for cultural environments. |
| Cultural Environments (Polygons) | Polygon layer with the extent of the cultural environments. |
Traffic accidents – temperature
Event-based map from Statens vegvesen with information about personal injury accidents: accident location, weather conditions at the time of the accident and extent of injury. Useful for mapping traffic hazard points near a plan area or for assessing safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
About the map layer
Information about accident location, weather conditions and extent of injury, primarily for accidents involving personal injury.
Filtering
You can filter the Traffic accidents – temperature layer on several criteria. Click the filter icon to the right of the layer in the Active Layers row to open the filter panel and see which options are available.
Traffic accidents – heat map
Aggregated heat map of locations with many registered traffic accidents. Gives a quick picture of accident concentrations without having to read individual points. Combine it with Traffic accidents – temperature to see cause data.
About the map layer
Heat map that highlights locations with frequent accidents. Includes information about accident location, weather conditions and extent of injury. Applies primarily to accidents involving personal injury.
Quick clay
Zones with potential hazard of larger quick clay landslides, from NVE / NGI. Quick clay is marine clay that under certain conditions can lose its bearing capacity and trigger large slides. The layer marks caution zones, not documented hazard zones. Development within the zones requires a geotechnical investigation. See also Possibility of marine clay for a more detailed analysis of clay type.
⚠️ A quick clay caution zone means that a geotechnical investigation is required, not that a landslide is likely.
About the map layer
The maps give an overview of zones with potential hazard (caution areas) of larger quick clay landslides. The zones have been identified and delimited by Quaternary geological mapping (to identify areas with marine clay), geotechnical assessment of topography and coarse geotechnical surveys. The zones cover release areas for quick clay landslides (areas that can slide out); in more recent mapping, runout areas may also be included. The identified quick clay zones are classified into three hazard classes (high, medium and low) based on topographical, geotechnical and hydrological criteria. The zones are further classified into three consequence classes (high, medium and low) depending on the consequences a landslide would have for buildings and infrastructure. The zones are then classified into five risk classes derived from hazard level and consequence. Area of use The dataset is primarily intended as a basis for assessing quick clay landslide hazard at municipal plan level. It is also intended as an information basis for municipalities, landowners, developers and others, with a view to avoiding terrain interventions and activities that can trigger landslides. The mapped zones only show areas with a potential hazard of larger landslides (terrain difference of 15 m or more). There may be landslide-prone quick clay zones outside the identified zones. In all areas with marine clay deposits, general caution must be shown regarding possible quick clay landslides.
Update frequency: Real time.
Landslides
Caution map for rockfall, snow avalanches and earth slides from Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE). Each landslide type is shown in separate layers with a different colour tone. The caution map indicates terrain where landslides have occurred historically, or where topography and geology suggest that landslides can happen. It is not a statistical probability calculation per property. Dataset: Skred.
About the map layer
Caution maps (rockfall, snow avalanche, quick clay, possibility of marine clay, earth flow), registered landslide events and rock avalanche hazard zones with return periods. Sources: NVE, NGI, NGU.
Update frequency: Monthly.
Radon susceptibility
Shows areas in Norway that are probably more radon prone than average, based on bedrock geology from Norges geologiske undersøkelse (NGU). Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in buildings and pose a health risk. New homes have radon protection requirements under TEK17 § 13-5. The caution map gives an indicative picture; the actual radon concentration is measured with a radon meter inside the building.
About the map layer
The national radon caution map shows which areas in Norway are probably more radon prone than others. In areas marked with high caution, it is calculated that at least 20% of homes have radon concentrations above the recommended limit of 200 Bq/m³ on the ground floor. The dataset is based on indoor air measurements of radon (from the NRPA database) and knowledge of geological conditions (NGU's databases for bedrock and loose masses). In some areas, radon has been measured in many homes, while in others few measurements are available. The dataset has been developed by statistically assessing how the share of homes with high radon concentrations can be linked to local geology, and by transferring this knowledge to other areas with similar geological conditions. Area of use The national radon caution map gives municipalities a basis for a first assessment of radon hazard. In areas with high or particularly high caution, the municipality should examine whether there is a need to follow up radon issues under the Planning and Building Act and the Public Health Act with their regulations. The map cannot be used to predict the radon concentration in individual buildings. The only way to get reliable knowledge about radon in a building is to carry out a measurement.
Update frequency: When the source changes.
Sublayers (3)
| Sublayers | Description |
|---|---|
| Radon – Detailed | The map layer is used to get an overview of whole counties, or all of Norway. |
| Radon and Alum Shale | * RADON * The national radon caution map shows which areas in Norway may be more radon prone than others. The map is based on indoor air measurements of radon and on knowledge of geological conditions. The map shows four classes: "particularly high caution" (purple), "high caution" (red), "moderate to low caution" (yellow) and "uncertain caution" (grey). The map is based on indoor air measurements of radon and on knowledge of geological conditions. In some areas of Norway, many homes have been measured for radon, in others few or none. This map has been developed by transferring knowledge of the share of high radon concentrations in homes located on known geology to other areas with similar geological conditions. "Particularly high caution" is a separate class that is also found in dedicated alum shale maps. In areas marked with "high caution", it is calculated that at least 20% of homes have radon concentrations above the upper recommended limit of 200 Bq/m3 on the ground floor. The map cannot be used to predict the radon concentration in individual buildings. The only way to get reliable knowledge about radon in a building is to carry out a measurement. Radon in indoor air depends not only on geological conditions, but also on the construction and operation of the building, and on the quality of radon preventive measures. |
| Radon – Overview | The map layer can be used for large areas, whole counties, or all of Norway. |
Filtering
The filter lets you narrow by Caution level.
Possibility of marine clay
Calculated from loose mass maps and the marine limit dataset from Norges geologiske undersøkelse (NGU). Marine clay was deposited below sea level after the last ice age and can, under certain conditions, contain quick clay. The layer supplements the Quick clay layer with a more detailed analysis of which sediment types are found below the terrain.
About the map layer
The "Mulighet for marin leire" (MML) dataset is based on loose mass maps and the marine limit (MG) dataset, and shows where marine clay may potentially be found, either at the surface or beneath other loose mass types.
Update frequency: Monthly.
Filtering
The filter supports narrowing by Loose mass type and Possible marine clay.
Loose masses
Distribution of the loose mass types that cover the rock surface, from Norges geologiske undersøkelse (NGU). The loose mass maps classify sediments such as moraine, river deposits, marine and fjord deposits and rock outcrops. Relevant for geotechnical assessment and for understanding drainage conditions on a site. Also available in the Geology category. Dataset: Løsmasser.
About the map layer
The loose mass data mainly shows the distribution of the loose mass types that cover the rock surface. Most of the loose masses were formed during and after the last ice age. The data only shows which soil type dominates in the top few metres of the terrain surface.
Update frequency: Monthly.
Filtering
The filter supports narrowing by Loose mass type and Infiltration capacity.
Contaminated land
Properties registered with contaminated land and municipal or private landfills in the Miljødirektoratet database. See Pollution for the full description and an important caveat about how complete the register is.
About the map layer
Properties with contaminated land and municipal, private and industrial landfills, based on mapping and reporting.
Update frequency: Real time.
High tide / storm surge
Shows mean high water and calculated storm surge for return periods of 20, 200 and 1,000 years, climate-adjusted to 2050 and 2100. Data from Kartverket. Relevant for coastal properties and for planning work where sea level rise up to 2100 must be taken into account under national planning guidelines.
About the map layer
Mean high water and storm surge with 20, 200 and 1,000 year return periods, including climate-adjusted projections for 2050 and 2100.
Update frequency: Monthly.
Flood areas, flood protection areas, and flood events
Shows flood-prone areas (NVE's flood zone maps), flood protection measures (walls, embankments, pumping stations) and historical flood events. Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE) has mapped the flood zones along the most exposed watercourses; coverage is not nationwide. For watercourses without flood zone maps, use the caution surfaces layer as a supplement.
About the map layer
This map layer gives a detailed overview of flood-prone areas, flood protection zones and historical flood events in Norway, with particular focus on flood risk assessment. The flood zone map shows which areas are flooded in a flood situation and states return periods for such events. Selected watercourse stretches with high damage potential have been mapped to give municipalities a better basis for land use planning and emergency preparedness. NVE has developed guidelines for how flood hazard should be assessed and integrated into municipal land use plans. The building technical regulations set safety requirements for different building types; most buildings must be safe against a 200-year flood. This map layer should not be confused with NVE's flood caution map, which gives a more general overview of flood-prone areas, regulated water bodies and dams. The caution map indicates areas where flood hazard should be assessed more closely, particularly for new development. Even if the flood zone map does not show flood hazard in a given area, this may be because the area has not been mapped by NVE. In such cases, we recommend that you also check the caution map.
Update frequency: Monthly.
Caution surfaces, (regulated) water, dams
NVE's nationwide flood caution map, with information about regulated reservoirs and downstream dam break zones. Useful for watercourses that are not covered by detailed flood zone maps. It also shows which dams can affect an area in a break scenario.
About the map layer
NVE's flood caution map gives an overview of areas that may be exposed to flood hazard, as well as regulated water bodies and dams in Norway. The map must not be confused with flood zone maps, which show which areas are actually flooded and with what return period. The caution map is more general and points out areas where flood hazard should be assessed more closely, particularly for new development. It is used as a first basis for assessment in impact assessments and risk and vulnerability analyses linked to the municipal plan.
Update frequency: Monthly.
Fire Stations Response Time
Placepoint's own derived analysis: all fire stations in Norway with calculated driving distance for a callout within 5, 10 and 20 minutes. Source: Brannstasjoner responstid. Used to assess risk for housing projects, commercial property and municipal emergency preparedness, and is related to Public Shelters in Buildings.
About the map layer
The map layer gives a detailed overview of all fire stations in Norway, with associated driving distances for callout times of 5, 10 and 20 minutes. Useful for emergency services, local authorities and municipalities when assessing fire protection coverage and emergency preparedness planning.
Update frequency: When the source changes.
Quick Clay – Caution
Caution zones for quick clay landslides based on marine clay deposits combined with terrain criteria (height difference and slope). Data from Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE). It supplements the main Quick clay layer with a more detailed analysis of where the terrain gives grounds to expect quick clay hazard. The layer is also available under Geology.
About the map layer
Shows areas that may be exposed to quick clay landslides, based on marine clay deposits and terrain criteria (slope and height difference). If the measure lies within the caution area, the procedure in NVE guideline 1/2019 must be followed and geotechnical expertise obtained. The map replaces the earlier "Aktsomhet marin leire" and now also captures terrain that can trigger landslides. The map is updated regularly and should be seen together with the hazard zone map for a full assessment.
Protection structures
Structures built to protect against floods, erosion and landslides, with measure type, year of construction and owner. The point layer is shown at overview level, and the lines and polygons when you zoom in. A protection structure tells you that the hazard is known and handled, which a caution map alone does not show. Source: Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE).
About the map layer
Structures built to protect against floods, erosion and landslides, with measure type, year of construction and who owns the structure. The point layer is shown at overview level, and the lines and polygons when you zoom in. Source: NVE.
Snow avalanches, Armed Forces hazard map
Release and runout areas for snow avalanches from the Armed Forces' own mapping, with separate layers for what has been mapped and what has not. The dataset covers the Armed Forces' areas, not the whole country, so missing coverage does not mean the hazard is ruled out. Source: Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE).
About the map layer
Release and runout areas for snow avalanches from the Armed Forces' own mapping, with separate layers for what has been mapped and what has not. The dataset covers the Armed Forces' areas, not the whole country. Source: NVE.
Flood hazard map
Flood zones show areas that are flooded at different flood magnitudes (return period). Flood zones are produced for the 20, 200 and 1,000 year floods.
About the map layer
Flood zones show areas that are flooded at different flood magnitudes (return period). Flood zones are produced for the 20, 200 and 1,000 year floods. In areas where climate change gives an expected increase in discharge of more than 20%, a flood zone is produced for the 200-year flood in the year 2100. Area of use In land use planning, flood zones can be used to identify areas that should not be developed, and to assess relevant risk-reducing measures if development cannot be avoided. Retningslinjer 2-2011 Flaum- og skredfare i arealplanar describes how the safety requirements for structures in the building technical regulations (TEK 17) § 7-2 can be met in land use planning. In detailed planning and in subdivision and building case processing, you must take into account that the flood zones have limited accuracy; you should start from the calculated water levels and check the terrain height in the field. If development is planned in flood-prone areas, we recommend adding a safety margin to the calculated water levels to account for uncertainty in the data basis and the calculations.
Sublayers (20)
| Sublayers | Description |
|---|---|
| Flood hazard map | A hundred-year flood statistically describes how large a flood can be expected in an area over a hundred years. Statistically, there is a 1% probability each year that a hundred-year flood occurs. Even so, two or more hundred-year floods can occur within a short period. In that sense, there is a 63% chance (see the return period) that a hundred-year flood occurs during the next 100 years, and a 10% chance that one will occur within ten years. |
| Flood Water Level at Cross-Section | Cross-sections along the watercourse with calculated flood water level for different return periods. Used to find specific height values at a planned measure. |
| Flood Zone Analysis Area | States areas where NVE has carried out detailed flood zone mapping. Outside these analysis areas, flood hazard has not been assessed. The extent of flooding at different return periods is given in the flood zone map layers. Here you will find hyperlinks to web pages, flood zone maps and reports. |
| Flood Zone – 200-Year Flood (Climate Change) | Extreme flood "In some regions, particularly along the coast, in Vestlandet and in Nordland, floods may become considerably larger, also in larger watercourses. In many watercourses in these regions, the flood discharge at today's 200-year flood may increase by more than 20% over the next 100 years, and in some watercourses by more than 40%. This is described in the reports 'Klimaendring og framtidige flommer i Norge'." -NVE. |
| Flood Zone – 1,000-Year Flood | Extreme flood The annual probability of occurrence is 0.1%. |
| Flood Zone – 500-Year Flood | Extreme flood The annual probability of occurrence is 0.5%. |
| Flood Zone – 200-Year Flood | Extreme flood The annual probability of occurrence is 1%. |
| Flood Zone – 100-Year Flood | Major flood The annual probability of occurrence is 1%. |
| Flood Zone – 50-Year Flood | Major flood The annual probability of occurrence is 5%. |
| Flood Zone – 20-Year Flood | Major flood The annual probability of occurrence is 8%. |
| Flood Zone – 10-Year Flood | Flood The annual probability of occurrence is 10%. |
| Flood Water Level Curve (2D) | Flood water level contours calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Gives a basis for reading off the water level in the measure area. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 2100 | Contours for calculated flood water level with a climate projection towards the year 2100. Used to assess future flood risk and necessary protection measures. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 1,000 years | Contours for flood water level at a 1,000-year flood, calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Used for safety class F3 under TEK17 § 7-2. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 500 years | Contours for flood water level at a 500-year flood, calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Relevant for measures between safety classes F2 and F3. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 200 years | Contours for flood water level at a 200-year flood, calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Used for safety class F2 under TEK17 § 7-2, which covers most residential buildings. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 100 years | Contours for flood water level at a 100-year flood, calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Relevant for measures in safety class F1 and as an intermediate level for planning. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 50 years | Contours for flood water level at a 50-year flood, calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Used for safety class F1 under TEK17 § 7-2. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 20 years | Contours for flood water level at a 20-year flood, calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Used to illustrate a frequently recurring flood level. |
| Flood Water Level Curve – 10 years | Contours for flood water level at a 10-year flood, calculated from a 2D hydraulic model. Shows the water level that statistically occurs on average every decade. |
Industrial emissions
Land-based industrial plants with an emission permit, with industry, operating status and whether the plant emits to air or water. Active plants are shown in yellow, closed plants in grey.
About the map layer
Land-based industrial plants with an emission permit, with industry, operating status and whether the plant emits to air or water. Active plants are shown in yellow, closed plants in grey. Source: Miljødirektoratet (Norske utslipp).
Update frequency: Real time.