INTRODUCTION

With the occurrence of the Damar earthquake of December 1982 in Yemen, H.R.H. Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz issued a directive for establishing a seismological observatory in the Kingdom. Accordingly, a seismological observatory was set up on 29/12/1404H at King Saud University. This was quickly followed by installation of a network of seismic stations in northeastern part of Saudi Arabia. Another Royal Decree issued on 22/10/1411H assigned the task of seismological observations to the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), including the co-ordination and co-operation with other universities in the Kingdom and also for carrying out research on earthquake studies. The seismological observatory was subsequently renamed as the Seismic Studies Centre by the Higher Education Board on 29/3/1419H.

VISION

To create earthquake database to support research and to assist the governmental authorities in Saudi Arabia for undertaking precautionary and mitigation measures in case of an earthquake.

GOAL

To adopt necessary safety measures so that the human casualty is kept at a minimum and damage to the infrastructure is greatly reduced when there is an earthquake; to outreach the community by educating them on how to deal with an earthquake both prior to and after its occurrence. To support advance research on earthquake studies by post-graduate students by means of data support, maps, etc. and other special programs.

OBJECTIVES

1 - To alleviate the risk of earthquakes by providing safety measures.

2 - Coordination with the concerned authorities to set forth the standard specifications for earthquake resistant buildings, structures, bridges, supply lines, etc.

3 - Conducting seismic hazard and environmental studies for densely populated areas, and regions of industrial and economic importance.

4 - To create scientific and technical manpower in the field of earthquake studies.

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE