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The Centre Sismológico National (CSN), previously called Service Sismológico of Chile, is a Chile seismological organization within the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (FCFM) of the University of Chile. The current director is Sergio Barrientos.
Its mission is to deliver seismic information to the National Office of Emergency of Chile (ONEMI) and to the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA). In February 2011, CSN had 65 seismological stations set up around the country.
In the Global Seismographic Network, it is known by the acronym GUC for "Geophysics University of Chile"
History
Originally conceived by University rector Valentín Letelier, the Service was founded by the president Pedro Montt on 1 May 1908, to the need for a seismological organization in the country after the earthquake that struck Valparaíso in 1906.
Its first director was Fernand Montessus of Ballore. The first seismological station run by the service was installed in 1908 in the Hill Santa Lucía, in Santiago of Chile. Later stations were constructed in Tacna, Copiapó, Osorno and Tip Sands, among other places. Recent historical investigations revealed that the Service created a network of 4 second class observatories and a central observatory between 1908 and 1909, 29 seismic stations in 1909. The system also collected testimonies of observers including telegraphers, lighthouse guardians, railway workers and volunteers.
In 1927, the Service was subordinated to the University. Within the university structure, it was part of the Department of Geophysics (DGF) of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences (FCFM). In 2013 it was renamed the Centre Sismológico National.