The U.S. Geological survey (USGS) earthquake science center (ESC) and the volcanological and seismological observatory of costa rica, national university (ovsicori-UNA) are mutually interested in…

The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a $110,134 cooperative agreement to Universidad Nacional on February 23, 2026, under the U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection program (CFDA 15.808) to fund collaborative seismic monitoring and hazard research in Costa Rica.

The USGS Earthquake Science Center and the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica (OVSICORI-UNA), a unit of Universidad Nacional, are jointly developing and deploying a high-resolution seismic monitoring system comprised of nodal sensors and auxiliary instrumentation. The system replicates existing USGS infrastructure and will investigate earthquakes, volcanic unrest, and landslides in subduction zones, including Costa Rica and broader Central American regions. OVSICORI-UNA will share the monitoring system with regional Central American partners to enhance disaster response and hazard mitigation efforts.

The agreement funds collaborative educational activities including stakeholder workshops, student involvement initiatives, and public awareness forums. Funding flows through the Earthquake Assistance Disaster Team (EDAT) program, jointly supported by the U.S. Department of State and the USGS.

Performance is set for Costa Rica with an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2026.

The U.S. Geological survey (USGS) earthquake science center (ESC) and the volcanological and seismological observatory of costa rica, national university (ovsicori-UNA) are mutually interested in and desire to cooperate in conducting scientific research and investigations. These relate to the causes and consequences of hazardous geologic events like earthquakes, volcanic unrest, and landslides, in subduction zones like the pacific northwest (PNW), costa rica, and elsewhere. The ESC and the ovsicori-UNA provide information and products about these hazards to local governments and other institutions, to improve the efficacy of hazard mitigation and particularly event response activities. This collaboration specifically focuses on building a new high-resolution seismic monitoring system at ovsicori-UNA comprised of tens of nodal sensors and auxiliary instrumentation, that is similar to one used at the ESC. Together the ovsicori-UNA and the USGS benefit from using this system in costa rica where geologic processes operate at much higher rates and in much smaller areas than in the PNW, so that investigations there will advance understanding more efficiently and rapidly. The monitoring system developed and maintained at ovsicori-UNA will be shared with its partners throughout central america when requested to enhance event responses, which will reduce their impacts within the U.S.specifically, this agreement establishes the terms and conditions for the conduct of cooperative scientific research efforts. This agreement also establishes and funds collaborative educational activities, including workshops for stakeholders and partners, involvement of students, and forums to raise public awareness of the work underway. Funding for this collaboration is provided through the earthquake assistance disaster team (edat) program, primarily supported by the U.S. Department of state in collaboration with the USGS, as part of the FY24-FY26 edat project high-resolution multi-hazard assessments in costa rica (referred to henceforth as the costa rica edat project).