2012-12-21
Bhutan: a Country with Many Unknowns
Numerous myths surround the Kingdom of Bhutan, which is located in the eastern Himalayas and declares the right to happiness in its constitution. The geographic isolation and the self-imposed cultural demarcation contribute to long-lasting legends. One of these may be that Bhutan has a comparatively low seismic hazard and seismic activity. The country has, in fact, been spared larger earthquakes over the past 120 years, even though it is surrounded by seismically active areas. To find answers to these and other questions, the Swiss Seismological Service (SED), in collaboration with the Seismology and Geodynamics group at ETH Zurich, will be installing and maintaining a temporary seismic network in Bhutan in 2013.
Read more...This research project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF), is conducted with strong support and participation from our Bhutanese colleagues, who intend to utilize the data for further projects (e.g. developing a seismic hazard map). The long-standing friendly relationship with the Geology and Mines Bureau of Bhutan ensures a sustained exchange beyond the project duration.
You can find additional information on the GANSSER project here
