BCSF-Rénass team
Our team, based mainly in Strasbourg, brings together engineers and researchers who are experts in seismology, data analysis, and IT. Our colleagues based in Nantes and Toulouse also contribute , through their respective expertise, to strengthening our analytical capabilities. Together, we develop advanced tools to monitor seismic activity in mainland France, collect information on the effects of earthquakes through your testimonials, conduct surveys with the authorities, and carry out field assessments.
Behind our equations, algorithms, and maps lies a whole network of skills, driven by passionate and dedicated individuals. Some members of the team belong to the “corps des astronomes et physiciens” (CNAP): they devote part of their time to the observatory’s activities, while also conducting research and teaching at the university or at “Ecole et observatoire des sciences de la Terre” (EOST). Beyond our team, the department also benefits, to varying degrees, from the expertise provided by colleagues from universities and the CNRS (EOST, IPGP, OCA, OMP, OPGC, OSUG, OSUNA).
Our work also relies on the commitment and expertise of the teams responsible for scientific instrumentation, those at Epos-France as well as those in neighboring countries. Without the seismological stations they install and maintain, no data could be collected or analyzed.
Strasbourg team
Section titled “Strasbourg team”
Dr. Marc Grunberg 
Director of BCSF-Rénass
Research Engineer, University of Strasbourg
Marc juggles seismology and deep learning, scrutinizing the Earth’s tremors as well as lines of code. His playground? Transforming a flood of raw data into usable information, revealing the secrets buried beneath our feet. Armed with algorithms and artificial intelligence, he tracks down the slightest signals to better understand seismic activity. Because when the planet shakes, he makes sure the data stays put!
Dr. Benoît Derode
Seismologist
Assistant Physicist, University of Strasbourg
Benoit Derode likes to make earthquakes talk, especially those triggered by fluids that are a little too invasive in rocks. After studying these phenomena from every angle—and spending many years monitoring the tremors in Chile—he is now relying on machine learning to make the tremors talk without having to chase after them!
Rémi Dretzen
Seismologist analyst
Assistant Engineer, University of Strasbourg
Rémi is our earthquake location expert: he tracks seismic activity faster than a seismometer on caffeine. If the Earth trembles, he knows where and when… sometimes even before the ground has finished moving!
Fabien Engels
Data center manager
System Engineer, DevOps, University of Strasbourg
Fabien is the data center guardian, systems engineer, DevOps specialist, and magician in his spare time. When a server goes down or a data pipeline breaks, he doesn’t panic… he just performs a miracle, and everything starts working again as if by magic!
Dr. Sophie Lambotte
Seismologist
Assistant Physicist, University of Strasbourg
Sophie analyzes seismicity using a multi-instrumental approach, combining seismometers, inclinometers, and extensometers to decipher the slightest tremors of the Earth. A specialist in the seismicity of Corinth, she navigates between imaging deep structures and mentoring young researchers, thus training the next generation of fault hunters!
Dr. Véronique Mendel
Macroseismic data manager
Engineer at CNRS
Véronique is a data manager who has gone from the depths to the tremors, navigating between marine geophysics and macroseismic data. Whether it’s magnetic anomalies on an Indian Ocean ridge or macroseismic data from a continental earthquake, she maps everything from the seabed to ShakeMaps, without ever losing her bearings!
Dr. Antoine Schlupp
Seismologist
Research Engineer, University of Strasbourg
Antoine is always on the lookout for upcoming tremors to help us withstand the Earth’s rumblings. He tracks faults, earthquakes, and their consequences in Mongolia and France to better anticipate their whims. He works with experts from various disciplines to assess seismic hazards and risks and enjoys sharing his passion with the general public.
Christophe Sira
Macroseismic Studies
Research Engineer at CNRS
Christophe is responsible for the macroseismic component of BCSF-Rénass. An engineer specializing in data production, processing, and analysis, he is our expert in determining the severity of tremors. He is also the head of the National Macroseismic Intervention Group and manages macroseismic surveys in the field and through survey forms to estimate the strength of tremors produced by earthquakes. A hunter of seismic effects, he tirelessly pursues every clue left behind by earthquakes. Give him your testimony and he will know how to interpret it.
Nantes and Toulouse teams
Section titled “Nantes and Toulouse teams”
Dr. Clément Perrin
Seismologist
Assistant Physicist, Nantes Observatory
Clément would have loved to have boarded InSight to plant a seismometer on Mars himself, but he is content (for now) to analyze the tremors from Earth. Using various data from field geology, remote sensing, and seismology, he tracks faults here on Earth… while waiting for a ticket to the next Mars mission!
He monitors seismic activity in western mainland France with his colleagues at OSUNA:
- Mickaël Bonnin
- Damien Fligiel
Dr. Jean Letort
Seismologist
Assistant Physicist, Midi-Pyrénées Observatory
Jean joined OMP in 2018 as CNAP to promote seismological data from southwestern France at BCSF-Rénass. Specialist in earthquake depth estimation methods, he is responsible for monitoring seismicity in the Pyrenees and associated seismic swarms, which he studies using artificial intelligence methods. He also studies the processes behind seismic activity induced by industrial activities in Lacq, installing seismometers throughout the region and collaborating with various European teams. During his vacations, he enjoys installing seismological sensors in the mountains, in the fog, under the snow, on the other side of the world!
He monitors seismic activity in the Pyrenees with his colleagues at the OMP:
- Sébastien Benhamed
- Frank Grimaud
- Hélène Pauchet
- Mathieu Sylvander