The Global Seismographic Network (GSN) is a 150+ station, globally distributed, state-of-the-art digital seismic network that provides free, realtime, open access data through the IRIS DMC. The map above shows the distribution of the current station network with respect to network operations.
The Global Seismographic Network is a cooperative partnership between IRIS and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), coordinated with the international community, to install and operate a global, multi-use scientific facility as a societal resource for Earth observations, monitoring, research, and education. The stations of the GSN attempt to obtain the best possible recording capability, balanced with global geographic coverage. GSN instrumentation measures and records with high fidelity all seismic vibrations possible from high-frequency, strong ground motions near an earthquake to the slowest global Earth oscillations excited by great earthquakes. Seismology has been the primary focus in the creation of the GSN, but the infrastructure is inherently multi-use and can be extended to other disciplines. Several GSN stations currently incorporate microbarographs, GPS, Geomag, and Meteorological packages.
IRIS is a consortium of over 120 US universities dedicated to the operation of science facilities for the acquisition, management, and distribution of seismological data.
IRIS is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Delaware with its primary headquarters office located in Washington, DC. IRIS is governed according to By-laws.
IRIS provides seismic equipment and access to seismic and other data sets for researchers worldwide.