Mitchelstown Cave is part of the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN). The INSN has 11 seismic stations in Ireland and these are able to detect earthquakes that happen anywhere around the world. Measurements from these stations contribute to the global research into these earthquakes..
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) has the responsibly for operating and monitoring the INSN network with assistance of the Geological Survey of Ireland and they have installed a permanent seismograph 200 feet underground in one of the Mitchelstown Cave passageways and this is the first underground seismic station in Ireland.
The main goal of the Irish National Seismic Network is to record local, regional and global earthquakes particularly in the North Atlantic region.
The Seismograph in the Mitchelstown Cave has recorded earthquakes as far away as Southern Peru, the Fiji Islands and New Zealand.
DIAS testing seismograph before installation.
Samhain agus Science Festival.
As part of the Samhain agus Science Festival organised by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. Dr Martin Mollhoff and Prof Chris Bean presented a fascinating talk on earthquakes and the on going seismic research in Mitchelstown Cave.
Samhain agus Science Festival in Mitchelstown Cave.