Throughout the recent years, researchers at our department used the seismic stations to register earthquakes from all around the globe and for example were able to image the structure of the Vienna basin in unprecedented detail, detect nuclear test or analyzed in detail the seismic vibrations caused by trains. 

However, fundamental questions about the nature and evolution of the Alps as a whole remain unanswered at this stage, since addressing them requires continuous and simultaneous operation of the entire seismic network – spanning from France to Austria and from Germany to Italy – for several years. Due to delays in operation the AlpArray seismic network in its entirety was only completed in mid 2017.

The more so we are happy about the news from the Austrian science fund FWF: The second phase of AlpArray Austria will be funded!  This clearly emphasizes the importance of the project for geosciences in Austria. This way coverage of the eastern Alps within the AlpArray network will be secured for three more years and scientists of our department will contribute to advancing our knowledge of processes on and below the earth’s surface. This encouraging news was a great occasion to turn our weekly group meeting into a spontaneous AlpArray continuation celebration.