The Earth Science Research Administration has the following national goals:  

a.       The establishment and management of national data bases in the field of earth science, including oceanography and limnology. These bases include geological mapping, land-use mapping, subsurface data, and physical and chemical data on the seas and lakes, as well as complete documentation of all the data in the fields of geology and geophysics.

b.       Carrying out research in the field of earth sciences, in order to expand knowledge relating to the natural resources of the state as a basis for planning and exploitation, to prevent related environmental hazards both in natural phenomena and in mining and production activities that affect the surroundings.

c.       Maintenance of the scientific infrastructure for the following:

o        exploitation and conservation of water sources;

o        phosphates and oil shales;

o        mitigation of earthquake damage;

o        evaluation of the natural resource potential, including hydrocarbons (oil and gas);

o        marine aquaculture.

d.       Development and maintenance of research and technolgoical means in the earth science field as a service to economic bodies in the oil exploration and mining fields, and large national projects, among these:

o        maintenance of a geophysical infrastructure (seismic, gravimetric, electromagnetic and shallow seismic - including ground radar teams, data processing);

o        maintenance of a system for monitoring earthquakes;

o        maintenance of means facilitating research in the Dea Sea, the Mediterranean and the Kinneret, including research vessels.

e.       Development of methods and taking on new topics in the field of earth sciences, including those in demand abroad, with the aim of marketing knowledge.

f.         Help in the absorption of new immigrants.

g.       Regional cooperation in connection with the peace treaties, and support for Israel's foreign aid programs.

Three research institutes operate within the framework of the Earth Science Research Administration:

1.       The Geological Survey (GSI), which is an integral part of the Administration.

2.       The Geophysical Institute (GII), which is a non-profit Government company, by virtue of its founding regulations.

3.       The Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), which is a non-profit institution.

Contact us