The IPGP covers all disciplines of the broadly defined solid earth sciences, including geobiology, and conducts studies on all scales of time and space. Its status, size and organisation give the IPGP the means to be at the forefront of knowledge and instrumental developments for the observation of natural phenomena, and to collect the data essential for the prevention of natural land-based hazards. The IPGP operates volcanological, seismological, magnetic and erosion observatories throughout the world. In particular, IPGP is responsible for the permanent observation of France's three active volcanoes (Soufrière in Guadeloupe, Montagne Pelée in Martinique and Piton de la Fournaise in Reunion Island). IPGP is, with IFREMER, one of the key players in the development and management of the EMSO-Azores seafloor observatory, which is dedicated to the long-term study of the processes occurring at mid-ocean ridges. This observatory is part of the European network of seafloor observatories (ERIC EMSO).
