The Observatory of San Calixto (OSC) is the only seismological institution in Bolivia. It was established by the Jesuit brothers of the Society of Jesus. The Observatory began its seismological activities on 1st May 1913 although meteorology had been studied there since 1892. The famous seismologists Gutenberg and Richter, in their book, Seismicity of the Earth (1949), wrote that “The seismic station of La Paz (LPZ) is one of the most important worldwide.”

After 100 years of work the OSC has installed 25 seismic stations in the districts of La Paz, Cochabamba, Oruro, Beni, Chuquisaca, Tarija, Santa Cruz and Potosi and there is also an infrasound station in the district of La Paz (Pe?as). 20 of these stations currently transmit data to the computing centre of the Observatory which is continuing to contribute to the knowledge of seismology of the world and in particular, that of Bolivia.

The Observatory of San Calixto (OSC) commemorates its 100th anniversary with the workshop held in La Paz from April 29 till May 1, 2013. The ISC prepared a poster describing the OSC’s contribution to the ISC-GEM Global Instrumental Earthquake Catalogue (1900-2009).