Introduction

Welcome to the Seismologic Observatory Center (SIS). All the research, teaching and extension activities related to Seismology, Seismic, Geophysics, Geology, Statistics, and Physics, at all levels, are developed in this Center, which is a participant in graduate programs, with five students, two from Master's degree and three from the Doctorate, with a scholarship program for more than 15 Geology, Physics, Librarianship and Letters undergraduate students. The Center focuses on the monitoring of hydro-eletric power stations' water reservoirs, which are the greatest contributors to the monitoring of Brazilian seismicity.

The SIS occupies an area of more than 1.200 m2, divided into an administrative building, data-analysis and computer laboratories, electronic workshop, Seismology Exhibition (museum), a mini-auditorium, a library, a room for seismographic recordings and, at last, an individual room for professors and for the technical staff.

With a new vision, the Seismologic Observatory has been devising ways to strengthen the bond between the Observatory and both national and foreign research-promoting agencies. Nowadays, the involvement of researchers in two great CNPq's projects (Instituto Milênio and more recently Instituto Nacional de Pesquisa, under Prof. Reinhardt Fuck's coordination) opens up new ways to nurture the growth of the knowledge in the Observatory. It is must be pointed out that, in the past years, a great number of deals have been sealed in relation to the obtaining of funds for construction, installation and maintenance of laboratories. This has been done by means of funds for specific sectors or the assistance of State-owned companies and others, The active involvement of all students (ranging from undergraduate to doctorate ones) in these projects has been very important, in a true “race” for learning.

The Sismologic Observatory, as an institution devoted, especially, to the extension courses' aspects, to the support for disasters and also to the production of knowledge, has followed the logic of adapting itself to each moment so that it can always be in the forefront of knowledge. To do so, its greatest objectives have been: to seek efficiency in the development of the scientific research, to provide similar activities and services of interest to the local community, in general.

Welcome to our home page. Pay a visit to our exhibition and learn more about seismology in an interactive and fun way.

Professor George Sand França

Head of the Seismologic Observatory