The Sopron Chapter of the
Association of Hungarian Geophysicists 

Introduction of the Institute

The institute was established by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 1955 as Geodetic and Geophysical Research Laboratories. Basic research in the fields of geodesy and geophysics, the associated field and laboratory works, scientific data processing and interpretation of the observations as well as making them public constitute the duties of the institute. Development and construction of the theoretical and practical methods of the professional field and the observational devices (scientific instruments) are further fundamental tasks of the institute. Decades of registration in the Széchenyi István Geophysical Observatory, the Kövesligethy Radó Seismological Observatory and the Geodynamic Observatory Sopronbánfalva are of great value. Operation and development of the Hungarian National Seismological Network represent national interest. The institute serves as a scientific basis for international research in the field of earth sciences in the Carpathian Basin. 

Brief introduction to the scientific programme of the GGRI

Main intention of the institute is to be and remain a significant international center of basic research in geodesy and geophysics (geodynamics, physics of the planet Earth, seismology). Realization of the GGI’s objectives is envisaged by preserving our efficient scientific topics, and their constant revival. Our programme for the next years is considerably based on the research directions defined and established decades ago. At the same time, the opportunities for international cooperation in Earth sciences have been considered as well. These are mainly the scientific activities aimed at the global understanding of the planet Earth and its surroundings and are related to the global environmental protection.

We are planning complex research projects for the investigation of deep structures of the Carpathian Basin within East Central Europe, the more accurate modeling of the ionospheric and magnetospheric structure and the seismological application of instruments commonly used in geodynamics by exploiting the opportunity involved in the cooperation of different disciplines pursued in our institute.

One of the most important tasks of the GGI is the maintenance and operation of our observatory network. The majority of the Earth magnetic, ionospheric, geodynamical and seismological observations are digital. A primary goal of the next period is the substitution of the ever more expensive analogue data recording. The data processing and the publication of bulletin and annual reports should be updated accordingly.