Institute of Geophysics of the CAS (IG)

Obrázek
IG CAS

Institute of Geophysics deals with basic research of physics of the solid Earth and its space environment. The institute research contributes to understanding the development, structure and dynamics of the Earth’s crust and lithosphere with the use of seismic, geomagnetic, geoelectric, geothermic and gravimetric methods and phenomena, as well as by studying tectonic processes and physical properties of rocks. In addition to that, the Institute investigates (paleo)climatic changes, solar-terrestrial relations and anthropogenic effects on the geosphere. Research activities of the Institute are in principle three-fold: i) observatory, field and laboratory measurements; ii) data processing and interpretation; and, iii) theoretical and numerical modelling. Although the research of the Institute has primarily character of basic research, the results are applicable in exploration, prevention of natural hazard and monitoring and reducing harmful environmental effects of human activities.

The Institute operates permanent observatories, which are included in extensive international cooperation and data exchange within European as well as global networks and data centres. In addition, the Institute runs local networks and stations in selected regions, which are important from the point of view of long-term observations and monitoring for the purposes of basic and applied research (for example, seismoactive region in Western Bohemia, in Iceland and in Greece). The Institute possesses also pool of temporary stations, used either for repeated measurements at selected sites, or for temporary deployments at tectonically different regions, usually within large international projects.

The European collaboration and networking were significantly enhanced since the establishment of EPOS (European Plate Observing System) – an integrated geosciences research infrastructure included in the ESFRI Roadmap in December 2008. The Institute of Geophysics acts as the coordinator of the national EPOS consortium and host of the CzechGeo/EPOS infrastructure. The Institute represented the Czech Republic in the EPOS – Preparatory Phase project, and, along with the RIGTC, was involved in the EPOS – Implementation Phase project (2015-19).