Research and Service Delivery

IGSSA is engaged in different research and consultancy services, and the major research areas and types of services rendered 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 resources 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 it has at its disposal, 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;
7. Magnetometers measuring the vertical and horizontal geomagnetic field components as well as angles of inclination (I) and declination (D).