Seismology

The seismological branch of the Geophysical Observatory Fürstenfeldbruck (GOF) with its seismic stations Fürstenfeldbruck (FUR) and Wettzell (WET) observes the world wide earthquake activity and is part of the German Regional Seismic Network (GRSN). In addition, the GOF forms the data and analysis center for the BayernNetz, a network of 30 digital seismic stations designed for monitoring the seismic activity in Bavaria and neighbouring areas (http://www.erdbeben-in-bayern.de). The waveform and station data as well as the earthquake catalogue (quakeML) of the GOF is accessible via the auxiliary node of the European Integrated Data Archive (EIDA) hosted at the LMU (http://erde.geophysik.uni-muenchen.de/fdsnws).

The GOF is hosting a large size ring laser gyroscope dedicated for observations of seismic wave propagation and geodesy (ROMY https://www.geophysik.uni-muenchen.de/ROMY/). Built as a tetrahedral structure with a side length of approx. 12 m its theoretical sensitivity is better than the world leading horizontal ring located at the geodetic fundamental station in Wettzell (E-Bavaria). While the later is build on a nearly monolithic structure, ROMY forms a virtual monument in its final stage.

Besides study on seismic wavefield gradients and their use in seismology, the focus of the scientific research at the GOF seismology branch consists on the investigation of swarm quake areas and mechanisms (Vogtland; Bad Reichenhall) and research on volcano induced seismic signals as well as in improving monitoring capabilities of seismological/volcanic surveillance networks. Furthermore the GOF plays a key role in the seismological surveillance of deep geothermal reservoirs which are extensively exploited in the metropolitan area of Munich and SE Bavaria.