The China Earthquake Administration (CEA) is a national institution dedicated to earthquake science and engineering research, seismic hazard reduction, and earthquake emergency relief. It was established in 1966 in the wake of the devastating Tangshan earthquake, and is headquartered in Beijing. The CEA comprises several institutes and departments, including the Institute of Geophysics, the Seismological Bureau, the Institute of Earthquake Engineering, and the National Disaster Reduction Center. It also operates a nationwide network of seismological stations and maintains a comprehensive database of seismic activity in China.
The CEA is responsible for conducting scientific research on earthquakes and their effects, developing earthquake early warning systems, issuing alerts and warnings for potentially hazardous seismic activity, overseeing construction projects to ensure they meet seismic safety standards, and providing technical assistance and advice in the event of an earthquake. The agency also coordinates relief efforts following earthquakes and other disasters.
In recent years, the CEA has placed increasing emphasis on public education about earthquakes and disaster preparedness. It has also worked to improve its own capabilities through technological innovation and international cooperation. The CEA’s efforts have contributed to reducing loss of life and property damage from earthquakes in China.