National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography

The National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography (NIGGG) was founded on 01.07.2010 by merging the following research units of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences:

• Geophysical Institute (1960),
• Geographical Institute (1950),
• Central Laboratory of Higher Geodesy (1948) and
• Central Laboratory of Seismic Mechanics and Seismic Engineering (1982).

Their founders are the distinguished Bulgarian scientists of world renown: Academician Lyubomir Krastanov (1908-1977), corr.-mem. Zhivko Gulubov (1908-1993), Academician Vladimir Hristov (1902-1979), Academician Georgi Brankov (1913-1997).

The National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography performs fundamental and applied research in geophysics, seismology, seismic mechanics, seismic engineering, geodesy and geography.

The Institute provides Bulgarian state and society with operational, monitoring and expert information and training of specialists. These activities are aimed entirely in favour of the sustainable development of society based on knowledge and is carried out in five departments: “Geophysics”, “Seismology”, “Seismic Engineering”, “Geodesy” and “Geography”.

The National Institute of Geophysics, Geodesy and Geography at BAS operates and maintains one-of-a-kind national monitoring networks such as:

• National Seismological Service;
• National Strong Earth Motion Network;
• National Network of Permanent Global Navigation Satellite System (GPS/GNSS) Stations;
• National Mareographic Network for monitoring the level of the Black Sea;
• National Geomagnetic Service with Geomagnetic Observatory;
• National Ionospheric Service;
• The Network for Terrestrial Measurements of Biologically Active Solar Ultraviolet Radiation;
• Forecasting System for the Levels of the Tropospheric Ozone in the Atmosphere.

An integral part of the research infrastructure of NIGGG is:

• National Geomagnetic Observatory Panagyurishte;
• Paleomagnetic Laboratory;
• National Geodetic Observatory in Plana;
• Geographic Information Center.

Priorities

1. Development of scientific methods and tools for research and operational activities;
2. Monitoring of processes and phenomena related to natural and anthropogenic risks;
3. Investigation of seismic risk and the risk of other disasters, modern earth crust movements, as well as the resilience of buildings, engineering facilities and infrastructure;
4. Disclosure of risk events and formation of science-based policies in the management of natural and anthropogenic risks;
5. Geographic research of the nature, population, socio-economic and regional development of Bulgaria;
6. Linking research to the needs of state, public and business organizations in order to implement scientific results in practice;
7. Participation in European and global research programs and monitoring networks;
8. Attracting and training young professionals.