STIFTELSEN NORSAR

Their core work

NORSAR is a Norwegian independent research foundation specializing in seismology, earthquake hazard assessment, and geophysical monitoring. They operate seismic sensor networks, develop models for earthquake risk and ground motion prediction, and provide expertise on how seismic events affect built infrastructure. Their work spans from fundamental seismic monitoring and atmospheric infrasound detection to applied earthquake engineering — helping cities and regions understand and reduce their vulnerability to seismic hazards.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their earlier H2020 work (2015–2017), NORSAR contributed as a participant to infrastructure and monitoring projects — atmospheric dynamics (ARISE2), liquefaction assessment (LIQUEFACT), and seismological research infrastructure (SERA), including revision of the European Seismic Hazard reference model for Eurocode 8. By 2019, they stepped up to coordinate TURNkey, their largest project, focused on translating seismic monitoring into actionable urban resilience tools. The shift is clear: from supplying monitoring expertise to leading applied earthquake preparedness solutions.

NORSAR is moving from pure geophysical monitoring toward integrated, real-time decision-support systems for earthquake-prone cities — a direction relevant to any smart city or disaster risk reduction initiative.

How they like to work

NORSAR mostly joins consortia as a specialist partner (3 of 4 projects), but demonstrated coordination capability with TURNkey, their most ambitious and best-funded project. With 78 unique partners across 23 countries, they maintain a very broad European network rather than relying on a small circle of repeat collaborators. This makes them a well-connected, flexible partner who can plug into large consortia and also step into leadership when the topic aligns with their core seismology expertise.

NORSAR has collaborated with 78 unique partners across 23 countries, indicating a deeply pan-European network concentrated in the seismology, geosciences, and civil engineering research communities. Their reach spans well beyond Scandinavia into Southern and Central Europe where earthquake risk is highest.

What sets them apart

NORSAR occupies a rare niche as an independent, SME-scale research foundation with decades of seismological expertise and direct involvement in shaping the European Seismic Hazard reference model (Eurocode 8 revision). Unlike university departments, they combine scientific credibility with operational agility — small enough to be responsive, authoritative enough to coordinate EU projects. For any consortium needing seismic hazard assessment, earthquake monitoring, or ground-motion expertise, NORSAR brings both the scientific depth and the established European network to deliver.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TURNkey
  NORSAR's only coordinated project and largest budget (EUR 1.19M) — a multi-sensor earthquake early warning system for urban resilience, marking their transition from contributor to project leader.
• SERA
  Directly contributed to revising the European Seismic Hazard reference model for Eurocode 8 — a standard that affects building codes across Europe.
• LIQUEFACT
  Applied seismology to geotechnical engineering, assessing earthquake-induced soil liquefaction risk to protect structures across Europe (EUR 608K contribution).