QuakeWatch Austria | SPOTTERON

The QuakeWatch Austria app makes it easy and uncomplicated to enter perceptions about earthquakes.

"QuakeWatch Austria" represents an expansion in the direction of Citizen Science. QuakeWatch Austria aims to involve even more population groups in earthquake research. The aim is the faster and more precise recording of earthquake perceptions and effects in Austria. This information will also support a better assessment of the exposure to future earthquakes.

The typical earthquake areas

Earthquakes occur when tensions in the subsurface that were built up by the movement of tectonic plates are suddenly released. In Europe, the tectonic stress field is determined by the Adriatic Plate, which drifts north and meets the Eurasian Plate. One consequence of this collision is the folding of the Alps, which is related to the earthquake activity.

In Austria, the population perceives an average of 40 earthquakes per year - this corresponds to an average of around three earthquakes per month. Most earthquakes are noticeable by a clear shaking, but about every two to three years in Austria slight damage to buildings from a stronger earthquake must be expected. Severe damage to buildings (I0> 8 ° EMS) occurs significantly less often, the average return period here is around 75 years.

The app runs on the SPOTTERON Citizen Science platform and can be downloaded free of charge.