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Quake Shake is co-financed by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and Geological Survey Ireland. The programme is run by DIAS Geophysics section. Quake Shake utilises Raspberry Shake seismometers, offering participants a hands-on experience in monitoring and understanding seismic activities. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or a curious member of the public, Quake Shake provides a unique platform to actively contribute to seismic research.
DIAS was established as a stand- alone institute in 1940, it is the second oldest Institute for Advanced Studies in the world and was modelled on the first Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton (established 1930), where Einstein and Oppenheimer worked. Éamon de Valera and the government at the time established DIAS to promote Irelands reputation for scholarship and fundamental research.
In the Geophysics Section we are continuing this fundamental research by studying earthquakes and volcanoes. The Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) is a network of seismometers installed across Ireland to detect earthquakes. In total there are ten permanent seismic stations in the network. In addition to local (Irish) earthquakes, the seismic stations of the INSN also record large earthquakes from around the globe each day, as well other phenomena such as storms at sea and human activity, such as quarry blasting. The network was originally set up in 1978.
Geological Survey Ireland is a division of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. It was established, as the Geological Survey of Britain and Ireland, by an Act of Parliament in 1845 to complete the geological mapping of Britain and Ireland. Today, the Geological Survey continues its pivotal role in mapping various aspects of Ireland. This encompasses the comprehensive mapping of Ireland’s seabed under the INFOMAR project, monitoring coastal alterations in response to climate change, evaluating groundwater resources, safeguarding drinking water sources, mapping groundwater flooding and landslides, and conducting geophysical and geochemical mapping through the Tellus project. Additionally, the Geological Survey is actively engaged in advancing geothermal knowledge and resources, as well as mapping minerals. Furthermore, it plays a crucial role in promoting and safeguarding sites of geological significance.
Science Foundation Ireland funds research in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) which promotes and assists the development and competitiveness of industry, enterprise and employment in Ireland. The Foundation also promotes and supports STEM education and engagement, and creates awareness and understanding of the value of STEM to society and to the growth of the economy. QuakeShake is funded by the SFI Discover Programme Call which supports deep public engagement activity and is a key part of
SFI’s Education and Public Engagement portfolio.
Laura is our Community Seismology Officer she is running the programme. Laura has a deep love for earthquakes and an unquenchable curiosity about the Earth’s rumbling antics. She loves meeting the public and teaching people about Irish and global earthquakes. Her fascination with the natural world began when she was in primary school learning about all kinds of natural hazards. As the Quake Shake engagement Officer, Laura looks forward to inspiring the next generation of Irish seismologists.
Martin manages the seismic networks that are operated by the Geophysics section in DIAS. This includes the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN), seismic stations at Hekla volcano in Iceland and also at Sierra Negra volcano in Galápagos, Ecuador. He annually assists students from multiple schools who use seismic data for their experiments at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition and chats with students who are interested in studying physics and geography.
Louise is a technical officer with a focus on marine seismics. During the SEA-SEIS experiment, scientists from the DIAS deployed 18 seismometers at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean. Louise coordinated the outreach element by linking up schools to speak to the researchers live on the research vessel, the Celtic Voyager, during the deployment in 2018 and retrieval 18 months later. Secondary and primary school students were invited to participate with scientists in the research project. Louise was part of Seismology in Schools (SiS) a programme which placed Garden Gate seismometers into schools around Ireland.
Siobhán is a geologist in Geological Survey Ireland, where she is responsible for communications and education. In recent years, she co-curated the successful Down to Earth exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland, and was the scientific advisor on the RTÉ/BBC NI 3-part series on the geology of Ireland, called The Island.
