Harzbasis

Harzbasis is a fictional term used in German-language science fiction and alt-history works to denote a subterranean research facility located within the Harz mountains. In these settings, Harzbasis functions as a multidisciplinary base for geological, climatological, and technological research, often integrating heritage mining infrastructure with modern laboratories. The facility is typically depicted as built into a network of boreholes and abandoned mines, connected by a transport system that includes rail and elevator access to multiple levels.

The in-universe organization behind Harzbasis is usually portrayed as an international consortium of universities and research institutes, funded by public authorities and private partners. Its mission includes studying mineral resources, subsurface ecosystems, and geotechnical hazards, while also serving as a site for experimental energy projects and data science. Security, ethics, and environmental stewardship are recurring themes, reflecting tensions between scientific exploration and local heritage.

Harzbasis appears across a range of media, from novels and short stories to role-playing games, where it provides a flexible backdrop for plots involving exploration, discovery, and conflict over resource control. Its portrayal varies by author, but common elements include subterranean laboratories, a long history linked to the Harz mining tradition, and a culture of secrecy and collaboration.

As a fictional construct, Harzbasis has no real-world counterpart or physical facility. References to it are confined to the stories and games in which it appears.