Project organisation

A seismometer in your home

The project proposes an alternative approach: provide and share significantly more advanced open-access scientific knowledge to the stakeholders (e.g. general public, journalists, politicians, citizens). The PrESENCE project will explore a new paradigm for monitoring induced seismicity in an urban setting. More specifically, we expect to reach a major break-through by deploying a large set of low-cost seismometers in distributed buildings with (near) real-time transmission using internet, together with the involvement of local public authorities and residents.

The objective is threefold:

  1. To significantly improve underground imaging and monitoring in urban context by densifying the existing monitoring seismic network and allowing the use of dense array approaches
  2. To provide advanced public scientific information to the local community as a citizen observatory for induced seismicity
  3. To develop a social science framework for monitoring the evolution of the societal perception of EGS technology. We expect to develop the PrESENCE project as a pilot in France for other cases where induced seismicity is a public concern

Funded by: French National Research Agency (ANR)

3 partners: EOST/ITES/LISEC

Project duration: 2021/2025

 

The PrESENCE project builds upon the work initiated by BCSF-Rénass since 2017. Its core mission is to expand a network of approximately 80 Raspberry Shake seismic stations installed in internet-connected buildings, complementing those already deployed by EOST/BCSF-Rénass.

These stations are hosted primarily by citizens, with a few placed in public buildings such as town halls. One of the project’s key objectives is to enhance the detection and characterization of seismic activity, particularly around deep geothermal projects in the Bas-Rhin region.

 

Connecting Citizens and Scientists

Beyond its scientific goals, PrESENCE fosters direct engagement between citizens (aka Sismo-Citoyen) and seismologists (WG1 seismology) through informal community gatherings known as Sismo-Stammtisch. These events offer a welcoming space to ask questions about the project and seismology more broadly, while also showcasing how seismic data is used. A question box will remain open throughout the project to encourage ongoing dialogue.

These interactions will be observed by sociologists from LISEC (WG7 social sciences), who are studying how hosting a seismic station influences public perception of natural and induced seismic risks, as well as attitudes toward science.

 

Real-Time Data at Your Fingertips

Each participant receives access to a public web platform developed by Raspberry Shake. This tool allows users to visualize real-time vibrations detected by their home-installed seismometer and explore regional and global seismic activity captured by Raspberry Shake stations worldwide.

Additionally, regional and national seismicity is continuously available via the BCSF-Rénass website. Participants can even see when their station contributes to the localization of regional earthquakes.

 

A Unique Sociological Landscape

The Sismo-Citoyen network offers a novel field for sociological research, providing fresh insights into citizen engagement in participatory science. The sociological study within the SismoCité initiative draws on findings from earlier waves of sensor installations in private homes. Through rich exchanges with volunteers and stakeholders, including local governments, elected officials, associations, and residents, the project aims to understand how communities use this system to navigate the environmental challenges tied to industrial development and seismic monitoring.