Seismic stations

Andorra Research + Innovation is responsible for the management of a state-of-the-art seismic station located in Roca de Pimes (la Rabassa) and an accelerometer located in Santa Coloma. Both devices are integrated into the Seismic Network of Catalunya of the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC).

The integration of both sensors - seismograph and accelerograph - within the Seismic Network of Catalunya allows to monitor and follow earthquakes with epicenters within or near Andorra that can be perceived by the population. If an earthquake is felt in Andorra, the seismic information obtained is key for all the emergency services in the country (Departament de Protecció Civil i Gestió d’Emergències del Govern d’Andorra, Cos de Bombers d’Andorra, Cos de Policia d’Andorra, Serveis de Circulació comunals, etc.) and the press and the country´s authorities, since it gives an idea of the location of the possible damages.

When an earthquake is felt in the country, a seismic questionnaire survey is made to capture the perception of the inhabitants and the possible impacts on the country's buildings and other infrastructure. This survey is done via the website and has an excellent citizen response. The data received are sent to the ICGC, which is responsible for analyzing the results to obtain the intensities with which the earthquake was perceived in Andorra.

Andorra also has another seismic station located at Pic de Padern and is part of the Réseau de surveillance Sismique des Pyrénées (RSSP) of the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, based in Toulouse.