The School and Observatory of Earth Sciences (EOST) is an institution under the supervisory authority of the University of Strasbourg and the CNRS (French National Center for Scientific Research) in charge of education, research, observation in Earth Science and its diffusion.
Situated in two buildings located on the central campus of the University of Strasbourg, EOST has more than 160 permanent employees among its staff.
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EOST is responsible for the education in Earth Sciences of about 400 students.
Engineering training and university courses (Bachelors and Masters), offering both theoretical and practical teaching, incorporating internships in companies.
EOST has trained around 1,000 engineers since its inception in 1920. EOST is indeed unique in France for its specialization in geophysics, leading to careers in exploration of subsoil resources, geotechnical and natural hazards.
The Bachelor degree in earth, environmental and universe sciences gives students a solid education in geophysics, geology, geochemistry, environmental sciences and astrophysics.
The Master degree students can either pursue in a Ph.D or join the professional world in the sectors of energy, resources, risks and the environment.
Doctorate students work within the doctoral school of Earth and Environmental Sciences, relying on a strong connection with the two EOST research units.
Research is developed in two mixed laboratories of the CNRS and Strasbourg University: the Institute of Physics of the Earth of Strasbourg IPGS, and the Laboratory of hydrology and geochemistry of Strasbourg, LHyGeS.
Research at IPGS is focused on the comprehension of the solid Earth, by observation and modelling of geological and geophysical phenomenon. It also bears on applied sciences: environment, natural resources (energy, water) and risk assessment, specifically seismic risks and landslides.
Since its beginning in 2009 by the gathering of 3 research teams, the LHyGeS has been dedicated to the analysis and the understanding of hydrological and geochemical phenomenon in natural environments.
This unit focuses on the construction of quantitative and predictive patterns, through an approach combining geosciences, environmental and engineering sciences.
Within the framework of the "Investing in the Future" programme launched in 2011, EOST is concerned with the G-eau-thermie profonde project. This "Laboratory of Excellence" (Labex) aims at improving knowledge of deep geothermal reservoirs and developing techniques for the exploitation of this sustainable resource.
Equipex ("Equipment of Excellence") are cutting edge scientific equipment financed by the government's "Investing in the Future" program. They aim to place French research on a competitive plane Internationally.
EOST is strongly involved in the Equipex projects in geophysics (Resif-Core and Miga), and in environmental sciences (Critex).
EOST is an Observatory of Universe Sciences (OSU).
Its mission is to advance knowledge in Earth Sciences through the acquisition of observational data and the development and use of the theoretical tools needed. Monitoring of natural processes of the Earth is one of its objectives.
The EOST observation services cover several themes:
They benefit from strong relationships with research teams and are a major presence in international networks.
The EOST manages two museums representative of the long history of Earth Sciences in Strasbourg.
The collection of the museum of mineralogy hosts more than 30,000 international samples of minerals and meteorites. Many of the most beautiful pieces are frequently exhibited in France and abroad. The museum is situated in the historical EOST building, which was originally part of the "Neustadt", built at the end of the 19th century.
The Museum of seismology and terrestrial magnetism is located in the former seismological station of Strasbourg, inaugurated on the 1st of July 1900.
The exhibition allows you to admire remarkable instruments and discover the historical, geopolitical and scientific context in which the seismic station was created in the early twentieth century. This exhibition provides the keys to understanding and appreciating the instruments presented in the second part of the museum, and were used for many years by scientists from Strasbourg to develop this new discipline at the time: seismology.
