Seismological Network
To monitor earthquake activity in Switzerland and neighboring areas the SED is maintaining a highly sensitive digital broadband network (SDSNet: Swiss Digital Seismic Network). Because the seismometers used in the system are of extremely high sensitivity in order to detect even the slightest signals accurately the instruments are situated in remote locations and are placed on solid rock. All data is transmitted continuously to the SED data center in Zurich. There the data is constantly evaluated and archived, by hand if need be. The data stored per year amounts to approximately 700 Gbyte.

Apart from the high-sensitivity SDSNet the SED is maintaining a nation-wide network of hundred strong motion sensors (SSMNet: Swiss Strong Motion Network). These are able to record undistorted signals even from very strong earthquakes. They are concentrated in the seismically active regions of Switzerland. High-risk areas, such as the Valais region, Basel or other large agglomerations, are of particular interest. Strong motion sensors were also installed in some large dams across the country in cooperation with the Federal Energy Office and the operators of the large hydro power plants