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Research and Publications

Research and Service Delivery

IGSSA is engaged in different research and consultancy services, and the major research areas and types of rendered services are listed as follows:

  • The study of crustal structure and geodynamics of the Afar Depression and the Ethiopian Rift System;
  •  Evaluation of earthquake risk levels and estimation of ground accelerations for major engineering construction sites;
  • The provision of advisory services on the preparation of specification for seismic monitoring equipment, site selection, installation and the training of human resource for data handling;
  • Ground geophysical studies for regional geo-science mapping, mineral and groundwater resource explorations; geotechnical investigations, including landslide surveys for the planning and implementation of civil engineering projects;
  • Solid waste disposal site investigations;
  • The determination of high accuracy gravity values;
  • The study of earth deformations using Geodetic (Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS) and Geophysical techniques;
  • The definition of vertical height system based on airborne gravity data collected in 2007-08;
  •  The determination of geomagnetic field parameters, for space science applications and navigation purposes;
  • The study and determination of earth rotation parameters, with special emphasis on the effects of weather changes on variations of the earth’s rotation parameters;
  • The precise location of geodetic points using GNSS for cadastral survey and civil engineering applications;
  • The application of GPS for studies of water vapor, electrical density and related purposes;
  • Developing and upgrading the National Seismic Building Code (NSBC);

For monitoring, research and specific site investigations, the institute utilizes different scientific instruments available at its custody, which include, but not limited to:

  1. Gurlap 3T broadband seismometer – for permanent and temporary seismic hazard monitoring;
  2. 24 channel Geometrics made SmarSeis Seismograph with accessories (cables, geophones, etc);
  3. Geometrics Proton Precision magnetometer;
  4. SARIS Digital resistivity meter with accessories;
  5. LaCoste and Romberg Gravimeter;
  6. GPS: TopCon, Laica, Trimble, Garmin; and
  7. Magnetometers measuring the vertical and horizontal geomagnetic field components as well as angles of inclination (I) and declination (D).