Structure

G.I.' s aim is the study and the promotion of research in the fields of: seismology, physics of the earth's interior, geophysics, plate tectonics, volcanology and geothermy, neotectonics and seismotectonics. The main tasks of G.I. are collection and processing of various seismological - geophysical parameters, the elaboration of research projects and relevant studies, the training and services provided to third bodies.

The stucture of G.I. is the following:

• The Director
  
• The Research Scientists
  
• The Administration and Technical staff
  

In details the operation of the Institute is the following.

a. Twenty two (22) permanent seismic stations, covering the whole country, are today in operation by the G.I. (11 of these stations are permanently staffed). Nine are digital stations and sixteen more are telemetering stations. All the stations are equipped with sensitive instruments. Two stations are linked with international networks (Athens is a WWSSN station and Anogeia of Crete a MEDNET station).
The seismic network is mainly used for the monitoring of local shocks with magnitude smaller than the limit of detectrability reported by the International Centers. Strong earthquakes which occurred all over the world are also recording.

b. Attention has been also given to observe microearthquakes, which give usefull information about the seismicity within a short period of time. From this point of view G.I. posesses a mobile network of seven radio link seismic stations. Furthermore there are ten units of portable seismographs.
All the above set of mobile and portable seismographs largely help to a better monitoring of the aftershock activity, for regional seismotectonic studies etc.

G.I. operates a permanent strong motion network consisting of 32 analog and 11 digital accelerographs. These instruments are installed at major cities of Greece. Soon, the permanent network will be developed with more instruments.
Moreover, 13 digital accelerographs are used for monitoring aftershock activity or in the frame of research projects.
The records of accelerographs are the input information for earthquake resistant design. G.I. has developed a strong motion record database covering the period 1973 - 1996. These processed records are given upon request to anyone who may concerned, in printed or electronic format. (Information : Dr. Ioannis Kalogeras, tel ++301-3420067, e-mail : i.kalog@egelados.gein.noa.gr).

The data collected by the networks of G.I. are registered into the archieves. For this purpose the appropriate computer facilities as well as sofisticated software are available.

For the service and the maintenance of the various instruments, G.I. employes experienced staff as well as appropriate facilities.

G.I., after its establishment, publishes the final interpretations of the seismic records as well as macroseismic data. So from 1986 till 1936 this information appears in the "Annales de L' Observatoire National d' Athenes". From 1936 till 1946 the observations are not systematically published. From 1950 till now all the observations are listed in the Monthly Bulletins of the Institute which are distributed in all countries.

Preliminary readings are also ordinarily sent to the neighbouring countries and to International Centers every week.
Original seismograms supplied to several Observatories and Institutes abroad. Many other miscellaneous seismological information mostly for engineering purposes, for insurance companies, as well as for the public are given.

The contribution of G.I. to the education is appreciable. Quite a few undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D thesis have or are being carried out at the Institute.

G.I. collaborates with Universities and Research Centers in Greece and abroad in order to carry out scientific research on various seismological problems.