Introduction to the IPGP observatories

The Volcanological observatories of the Antilles and Reunion Island work permanently monitoring the "Soufriere" of Guadeloupe, Mount "Pelée" in Martinique and the "Piton de la Fournaise" on Reunion Island. Each recent eruption of the "Piton de la Fournaise" has been predicted and even if the eruptions in the Antilles are uncommon, more dangerous and more difficult to predict in their evolution, the instruments in place should make possible to anticipate them. In addition, the observatories in the Antilles are also in charge of monitoring the seismic activity, which is a major risk in this area of the world.
GEOSCOPE is the French component of the world networks of seismic monitoring. It takes part in the localization of earthquakes and helps build a three-dimensional radiography of the interior of the earth. It is associated to the development of international monitoring systems, in particular for the risks related to tsunamis.
The magnetic observatories follow the evolution of the terrestrial magnetic field and the observatory of "Chambon la Forêt" is in the center of these activities. The IPGP was a driving force in the creation of the world network INTERMAGNET and is the host of the Central Office of Terrestrial magnetism (BCTM).
Researchers and engineers of the IPGP also prepare the observatories of tomorrow, by installing permanent observatories on the ocean floor and taking part in the development of space missions. The observatories produce considerable quantities of information that needs to be validated, organized and made available for the specialists around the world, the IPGP is setting up a data base unique needing some of the most innovating informatics’ data-processing techniques, this database should be operational in the next two years.