Earthquakes are the cause of severe damage to human beings and property.
It is therefore essential to take all possible steps to reduce this damage. Carrying out this work needs some centralised body in charge of determining as rapidly as possible the parameters of the seismic sources. It is technically possible to determine with sufficient accuracy and considerable speed the place of occurrence of an earthquake, which allows effective intervention of emergency services and of scientific parties. For the European-Mediterranean region, this function is conducted by the EMSC using data from its widespread network of members and other institutions. The centre commenced operation at the IPG in Strasbourg on 1 January 1976 and formally received its statutes in 1983.