14 New seismic monitoring stations arrive in Libya

The Director of the Media and Information Technology Office at the Libyan Center for Remote Sensing and Space Science, Anas Al-Mishri, confirmed the arrival of 14 new seismic monitoring stations as part of efforts to upgrade Libya’s earthquake monitoring system.

Al-Mishri told reporters that the center is currently identifying suitable locations for the stations before integrating them into the national monitoring network. Their operation will require experts from the manufacturer to install the equipment and connect it to the system. No date has yet been set for the new network to become operational, pending the completion of technical arrangements.

He said the new network would provide direct and accurate local data on seismic activity and fault lines across Libya and contribute to developing the country’s seismic building code, particularly as urban expansion continues in some areas without sufficient assessment of seismic risks.

Al-Mishri added that the network would also allow Libya to provide and exchange seismic monitoring data with neighboring countries and international observatories, rather than relying solely on external sources.

He said the previous network consisted of 15 stations, some of which were stolen or vandalized, leaving only three or four intact. He added that the suspension of subscriptions and funding for network upgrades since 2012, along with outdated equipment and software, had rendered the system unusable.

The center currently relies on portable monitoring devices that operate for limited periods and do not provide real-time earthquake data. As a result, Libya depends on international and regional organizations and observatories for seismic information, which can sometimes take around 24 hours to arrive.