Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences

What Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences does

The Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences (Geofyzikální ústav Akademie věd ČR, v.v.i.) is a public research institution headquartered in Prague (Boční II/1401, Praha 4 - Spořilov) that conducts fundamental and applied research in Earth sciences. Founded in 1920 and reorganized under the Czech Academy of Sciences structure in 1953, it operates an integrated portfolio of geophysical monitoring infrastructure: the Czech Regional Seismic Network (~20 broadband stations), the WEBNET local seismic network (West Bohemia), the REYKJANET network (15 stations in Iceland), the MOBNET pool of 65 mobile seismic stations, the Budkov national geomagnetic observatory, and the GeoCLIMANET geothermal network (5 stations). Its core mission is to maintain continuous geophysical observation, produce earthquake catalogues for the Czech Republic and Central Europe, contribute to international data networks (EPOS, INTERMAGNET, NOAA, GEOFON), and enable research on geodynamics, geomagnetism, seismicity, and geothermics.

The institute's products and services span observational data provision (via the CzechGeo/EPOS portal), public-facing tools (SeisLok mobile application for Android and iOS, downloadable seismic analysis software such as ANRAY and SEIS88), educational offerings (Geopark Spořilov, visitor centers at Kašperské Hory and Skalná, educational comics, geoscience experiment guides), and ancillary commercial services (campus accommodation priced at 420-850 Kč/night for rooms and 5,800-7,900 Kč/month for apartments). Customer segments include the international scientific research community, university and secondary students, government and regulatory bodies (Czech insurance companies, Czech Television for geomagnetic forecasts), and the general public. Revenue is derived primarily from public research funding via the Czech Academy of Sciences and Czech grant agencies (GAČR, TAČR, MŠMT), supplemented by EU project funding (Horizon Europe, Interreg), international consortium participation, and minor commercial income from accommodation and visitor services.

Name

Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences

Legal name

Geofyzikální ústav Akademie věd ČR, v.v.i.

Website

https://ig.cas.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences is a public research institution operating national geophysical observatory networks (seismic, geomagnetic, geothermal) across the Czech Republic, Iceland, and international deployments, providing Earth science data and research services to scientific, governmental, educational, and public audiences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Geophysical Research and Earth Sciences Monitoring Services

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Oil & Gas Field Exploration Services (1382)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAKAKAA

Mineral Exploration & Geoscience Services (Geology, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Resource Modeling)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Metals & Mining/Mining Services & Contracting (Exploration, Drilling, Blasting, Mine Operations)

SECONDARYEDAHAAAJ

Public Research Universities with National Laboratories/Big Science Facilities

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Public Research Universities

SECONDARYIMAFAOAH

Geotechnical Instrumentation & Monitoring (Settlement, Inclinometers, Piezometers)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Construction & Civil Engineering/Geotechnical & Foundation Engineering (Piling, Ground Improvement)

SECONDARYEDAMABAI

Earth Science & Geoscience Programs

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYBPAIAAAK

Science, Technology & Innovation Administration (National R&D Policy)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Central/Federal Government Administration

Keywords

• Seismic monitoring networks
• Geophysical research services
• Geomagnetic observations
• Earthquake monitoring
• Earth science research

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: Core institutional funding from the Czech Academy of Sciences and government research programs. Participates in GAČR (Czech Science Foundation), TAČR (Technology Agency), and MŠMT (Ministry of Education) funded research projects.
2. Accommodation Services: Hotel-type accommodation facility in the institute campus offering single rooms (850 Kč/night, 8,300 Kč/month), double rooms (640 Kč/night, 12,500 Kč/month), additional beds, and apartments (5,800-7,900 Kč/month). Open to public when capacity allows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Institute of Geophysics is a public research institution conducting fundamental and applied research in geodynamics, geomagnetism, geothermics, and seismology. It operates a national network of seismic stations, geomagnetic observatory, and geothermal monitoring stations providing continuous observational data distributed to international research infrastructures. It also delivers educational outreach via mobile applications, visitor centers, geoparks, and downloadable scientific software.

Product overview

The Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences is a public research institution operating a comprehensive portfolio of geophysical monitoring products and services. The core offering consists of multiple seismic networks (Czech Regional Seismic Network, WEBNET, REYKJANET, MOBNET), geomagnetic observatory (Budkov), and geothermal monitoring (GeoCLIMANET). Digital data products are distributed through the CzechGeo/EPOS portal and to international data centers. The SeisLok mobile application provides public-facing earthquake information. Educational offerings include Geopark Spořilov, visitor centers at Kašperské Hory and Skalná, educational comics, and geoscience experiment guides. The institute also provides downloadable geophysical software (ANRAY, SEIS88, STRESSINVERSE, etc.), accommodation services, and maintains a specialized library with scientific journals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Czech Regional Seismic Network (ČRSS) Network of approximately 20 broadband seismic stations monitoring earthquakes in the Czech Republic and worldwide, with continuous data transmission to the GFÚ data center for research, earthquake catalogues, and international data sharing.
• WEBNET Local Seismic Network Local seismic network monitoring earthquake activity in the seismically most active region of western Bohemia, where earthquake swarms, mineral springs, and CO2 emissions occur related to volcanic activity.
• REYKJANET Local Seismic Network Seismic network deployed on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland, monitoring both classical earthquakes and swarm earthquakes. Operates 15 seismic stations in collaboration with ÚSMH AV ČR.
• MOBNET Mobile Seismic Stations Pool of 65 mobile seismic stations installed in tectonically interesting areas for limited periods within international research projects. Includes short-period Lennartz and broadband Streckeisen and Guralp sensors.
• GeoCLIMANET Geothermal Network Network of 5 stations monitoring air and soil temperatures at various depth levels (up to 1m surface, up to 190m bedrock). Stations located in Czech Republic (Prague, Kocelovice, Svojšice), Portugal, and Slovenia, studying coupling between air and soil temperature and heat transfer.
• Geomagnetic Observatory Budkov National geomagnetic observatory in southern Bohemia measuring three spatial components of the geomagnetic field. Data used for fundamental geophysical research, navigation, and geomagnetic activity forecasting, with contributions to INTERMAGNET and NOAA.
• Seismological Service Creates catalogs of earthquakes in the Czech Republic and Central Europe, bulletins of seismic station readings, and provides rapid localization of significant earthquakes worldwide. Data is integrated into CzechGeo/EPOS and shared with international partners including GEOFON.
• SeisLok Mobile Application Mobile application for Android and iOS providing real-time earthquake information for the seismically most active area of western Bohemia. Displays earthquakes on interactive map and allows users to submit makroseismic reports of observed tremors.
• Visitor Center Kašperské Hory Visitor center featuring the Kristýna tunnel with the historical seismic station, museum of seismometry with historical instruments, and geological exhibition. Includes one of the world's most sensitive seismic stations operating since 1960.
• Geophysical Museum Skalná Museum focused on earthquake phenomena in western Bohemia, explaining plate tectonics and seismic measurement methods. Includes visit to medieval tunnel under Vildštejn castle.
• Geopark Spořilov Outdoor educational park in the GFÚ campus displaying more than 40 rock samples from the Bohemian Massif, explaining rock formation processes and geological history. Open to the public daily.
• Accommodation Services Hotel-type accommodation facility in the institute campus in Prague-Spořilov offering single rooms, double rooms, additional beds, and apartments for institute visitors, their guests, and the public when capacity allows.
• Geophysical Software Package Collection of downloadable scientific software for seismic data analysis including ANRAY, SEIS88, ANNI, rmseed, SPLITshear, MT_DECOMPOSITION, and STRESSINVERSE tools.

Quantifiable outcome

• 436 temporary seismic stations deployed across 19 countries in AdriaArray experiment (2022-2026)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• GEOFON / GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (Germany)coreTechnology or IntegrationGEOFON operates the German seismic network and provides earthquake data used by GFÚ. The institute references GEOFON data when reporting earthquakes in Czech territory. GFZ Postupim is a major European geophysical research center.
• Charles University (Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Faculty of Science)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research and educational partnership. GFÚ staff teach university courses and supervise graduate students. Two PhD positions (2026) are joint programs between GFÚ and MFF UK. Professor Václav Láska founded both institutions' geophysics departments.
• EPOS ERIC (European Plate Observing System)coreTechnology or IntegrationEPOS ON project (Horizon Europe, 2024-2027) optimizes and evolves European research infrastructure for solid Earth science. GFÚ contributes seismic and geomagnetic data through CzechGeo/EPOS national platform. EPOS ON ensures long-term sustainability of open-access multidisciplinary Earth science data.
• AdriaArray Consortium (19 countries)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan-European multidisciplinary research on the Adriatic Plate. Passive seismic experiment from June 2022 to June 2026 deployed 436 temporary stations from 23 mobile pools across 19 countries. MOBNET pool contributed 65 mobile seismic stations.
• Unified International Associations (IASPEI, IAVCEI, IAGA, IUGG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaff participate in research and organizational activities of international associations: IASPEI (seismology), IAVCEI (volcanology), IAGA (geomagnetism), unified under IUGG (International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics). Hosted IUGG General Assemblies in Prague 1927 and 2015.
• TransGeo Consortium (Interreg Česko-Sasko)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross-border research on geological structure and tectonic processes in Czech-Saxon border region. Project combines four Czech and German scientific institutions: GFÚ AV ČR, Charles University, Technical University, and Saxon partners. Focus on sustainable geothermal energy development and geohazard monitoring.
• AV21 Research Program PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDynamic Planet Earth program (2023-2027) coordinates seven institutes: GFÚ (coordinator), GLÚ, ÚFA, ÚGN, ÚSMH, ÚI, CzechGlobe. Focus on Earth's internal dynamics, surface changes, space above Earth, and human impact on rock environment.
• INTERMAGNETcoreTechnology or IntegrationInternational Real-time Geomagnetic Observatory Network. Budkov Geomagnetic Observatory contributes continuous magnetic field measurements to global database used for navigation and space weather monitoring.
• ERC MILESTONE ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian Sippl's ERC Starting Grant project (2021-2026) on microseismicity in subduction zones. Scientific collaboration between GFÚ and international researchers.
• Regional Warning Centre PragueregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides geomagnetic activity forecasts as part of Czech weather forecast service, contributing to regional early warning capabilities.
• ÚSMH AV ČR (Institute of Rock Structure and Mechanics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint operation of WEBNET local seismic network (West Bohemia) and REYKJANET network (Iceland). Collaboration on mobile seismic experiments.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ISTerre (Institut des Sciences de la Terre - Université Grenoble Alpes): Leading French university research lab in Earth sciences covering seismology, geophysics, and geodynamics. Comparable in research scope and participation in European seismic experiments (e.g., AlpArray, AdriaArray), though with a university affiliation rather than academy-of-sciences structure.
• INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia): Italy's national institute for geophysics and volcanology, operating broadband seismic networks, geomagnetic observatories, and volcano monitoring. The closest direct peer in mission, scale, and observatory portfolio, and a co-participant in pan-European experiments like AdriaArray.
• Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences: Polish Academy of Sciences' geophysical research institute, similarly structured as a national academy institute performing seismology, geomagnetism, and geodynamics research. Highly comparable in mission, governance (academy of sciences), and regional role in Central Europe.

Regional players

• SED (Schweizerischer Erdbebendienst) at ETH Zürich: Swiss Seismological Service operating Switzerland's national seismic network and providing earthquake monitoring and hazard assessment. Comparable in observatory operation, national seismological service, and European research infrastructure participation.
• Lithosphere and Asthenosphere Group, University of Helsinki (Institute of Seismology): Operates Finland's national seismic network and conducts seismic and geodynamic research. Comparable in national observatory operations, EPOS integration, and Nordic/Central European participation, though smaller in scope.
• Royal Observatory of Belgium: Belgian national observatory operating seismological and geomagnetic monitoring networks (e.g., Dourbes, Ukkel). Comparable in national observatory mission, INTERMAGNET participation, and public research stature, with neighboring national territory to the Czech Republic.
• ZAMG (Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik): Austria's national geophysical and meteorological service, providing seismic, geomagnetic, and geodynamic data for Austria. Highly comparable in observatory operations and public safety mission, with overlapping regional scope in the Alpine-Carpathian corridor.

Broad incumbents

• British Geological Survey (BGS): UK's national geological survey operating seismic monitoring (through partner arrangements) and geological data services. Comparable in mission (national geoscience data, public safety, public research), but much larger in scope and budget; relevant peer for observatory data integration with European networks.
• ETH Zürich - Department of Earth Sciences: Major European university department combining geophysics, seismology, and geology research with educational programs. Comparable in research scope and field-data operations, but larger and university-affiliated rather than a standalone academy institute.
• GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam): Germany's national research center for geosciences, operating extensive seismic, geomagnetic, and geothermal networks. Directly comparable in mission scope (geophysical observatory networks, EPOS data contribution, instrument pool) and is explicitly cited as a partner/competitor in the institute's GEOFON data references.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GFU_AVCR
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/GFUpopularizace
• Facebookfacebook.com/GFUAVCR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-geophysics-czech-academy-of-sciences

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Geophysics, Czech Academy of Sciences