EPOS – European Plate Observing System

Operational Programme Smart Growth 20140-2020

Priority IV: INCREASING THE RESEARCH POTENTIAL

Action 4.2: DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE SCIENCE SECTOR

Period of realization: 2016 - 2021

Alloocation of founds:  61 996 279.64 PLN

Co-financing from European Regional Development Fund:  46 632 332.69 PLN

European Plate Observing System (EPOS) Infrastructure is an interdisciplinary and interoperable research infrastructure which gathers data from measurement networks scattered all around the Europe. Processed, standardized and integrated data is stored in databases connected with web portals, where the data can be visualized and analyzed with the use of dedicated applications and visualizations.

RESEARCH PROGRAM OF EPOS-PL

The first layer of Research Infrastructure is built by so-called Research Infrastructure Centers (RICs). RIC provides a complete dataset concerning given research field (e.g. seismic data, geodetic data, geological data). Each national RIC has its own IT support. This solution ensures effective data storage and basic computing resources.

The following RICs are included in this layer:

• CIBIS – Induced Seismicity Research Infrastructure Center,

• CIBOGM - Geomagnetic and Magnetotelluric Observations Research Infrastructure Center,

• CIBAL - Analytical Laboratories Research Infrastructure Center,

• CIBDG - GNSS Data Research Infrastructure Center,

• CIBOG - Gravimetric Observations Research Infrastructure Center,

• CIBCBL - Lithospheric Research Infrastructure Center,

• GGOS-PL++ - Global Geodetic Observation System in Poland.

The second layer of innovative EPOS-PL infrastructure concerns the integration of infrastructure in the scale of Poland. Measurement polygons for the integrated observation of geodynamic processes are going to be built. The first polygons from the group of MUSE -Multidisciplinary Upper Silesian Episode will be built in mining and post-mining areas of Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Poland). The first step for the creation of MUSE is to build an integrated geodetic observation system, which uses a combination of various point and surface measurement techniques. Additionally, in MUSE areas an integrated geophysical observation and measurement system will be used in order to observe physical processes, which take place inside the rock mass. The system will include local and regional seismological, geodetic, gravimetric and geophysical networks. Collected data and products will be integrated as a Multidisciplinary Upper Silesian Episode and shared through TCS AH platform (Thematic Core Service Anthropogenic Hazards, https://tcs.ah-epos.eu).

The next layer of innovative EPOS-PL structure is related to Integration of Research Infrastructure at the European level, in so-called EPOS Thematic Hubs. This will happen through integration of national RI providing specialized services to communities associated in a number of disciplines in the Earth sciences (eg. Seismology, geodesy, etc.) or interested in particular disciplines. Thematic Hubs create an intermediate layer of EPOS integration plan. Thematic Core Service of Athropogenic Hazards (TCS AH) is being built in Poland.

The built Research Infrastructure of EPOS-PL is in accordance with pan-European scientific installation created by EPOS, which is composed of 3 layers. The lowest layer of integration plan of EPOS programme is created by already existing or emerging research infrastructures of Earth sciences. They are being financed from national funds, accordingly to EPOS programme. These include regional geophysical observations systems, e.g.: seismological networks, geodetic networks, local geomagnetic observatories, continuous in-situ observatories and vulcanological observatories, experimental laboratories, integrated satellite data and geological information.