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Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP)

Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP)
Address: 1 rue Jussieu, 75005 Paris, Île-de-France, France
Geophysics & Seismology, Geochemistry & Volcanology, Marine Geosciences & Planetology

The Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP) was founded in 1921 as an institute of the University of Paris, and in 2024 the institute described itself as 103 years of science for the planet. It studies the Earth and the planets and sits in Paris, close to the Jussieu area in the 5th arrondissement, with further sites in the Paris region and overseas.

A distinctive feature of IPGP is its network of observatories. It runs volcanological and seismological observatories in Guadeloupe (La Soufrière), Martinique (Mount Pelée) and La Réunion (Piton de la Fournaise), and a national magnetic observatory at Chambon-la-Forêt. It also hosts the GEOSCOPE worldwide seismological network.

The institute has about 500 people, among them researchers, engineers, technicians, administrative staff, postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students. It is a joint research unit with the CNRS and offers master’s programmes and doctorates. IPGP also took part in NASA’s InSight mission to Mars through the SEIS seismometer.

Domains taught:

Diplomas*:

Status:

Partnerships:

Associated with Université Paris Cité and CNRS. Operates global networks of observatories (seismic, magnetic, volcanic).

Research:

Earthquake physics and seismology, Volcanism and magmatic processes, Geodynamics and plate tectonics, Marine geosciences and oceanography, Planetary science.

Famous Alumnis:

Xavier Le Pichon, Claude Allègre

International recognition**:

Number of staff***:

500

Current students***:

200

Foreign students***:

20%

Cumulative former students***:

N/A

Pros

World-leading research institute in Earth and planetary sciences, extensive network of observatories, strong graduate programs.

Cons

Highly specialized in geosciences.

Best For

Leading research institute for Earth and planetary sciences, offering graduate programs.

Most Similar Schools Locally

  • Observatoire de Paris - PSL is a Paris research institution in Astronomy & Astrophysics and Space Science & Planetology.
  • Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle is comparable through Earth Sciences & Paleontology and Ecology & Environmental Sciences.
  • Sorbonne Université includes Earth Sciences within a wide range of Sciences and Mathematics, in the heart of Paris.
  • École Normale Supérieure de Lyon offers Biology & Earth Sciences next to Physics & Chemistry.
  • Université Grenoble Alpes works in Earth & Environmental Sciences, with Physics & Nanosciences.

Most Similar Schools Abroad

  • CUG in China is built around Geology & Geological Engineering and Geophysics & Geomatics.
  • Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands teaches Earth Sciences next to Life Sciences and Chemistry.
  • Université de Lausanne in Switzerland is relevant for its Geosciences and Environmental Science.
  • Universität Hamburg in Germany works in Climate & Earth System Science, Physics and Nanoscience.
  • University of Colorado Boulder in the United States combines Aerospace Engineering with Earth and Environmental Sciences and Physics.

*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.

FAQ

When was IPGP founded?

It was founded in 1921 as an institute of the University of Paris. In 2024 the institute described its history as 103 years of science for the planet.

Which observatories does IPGP operate?

It operates volcanological and seismological observatories in Guadeloupe, Martinique and La Réunion, as well as a national magnetic observatory at Chambon-la-Forêt. These sites monitor active volcanoes on behalf of the French state.

What is GEOSCOPE?

GEOSCOPE is a worldwide seismological network managed from IPGP. It records earthquakes and supports research on the interior of the Earth.

Did IPGP take part in a space mission?

Yes, it took part in NASA's InSight mission to Mars through the SEIS seismometer, a seismic instrument placed on the planet.

How large is the institute?

About 500 people work there, including researchers, engineers, technicians, administrative staff, postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates. These teams work across the Paris sites and the overseas observatories.

Can students enrol at IPGP?

The institute offers master's programmes and doctorates. Details of each programme and the admission steps are on the official site.

*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”,  “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.

 

**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale: 

  1. known locally
  2. known locally and internationally
  3. is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
  4. is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications

***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.

Innovation.world is not affiliated with this school/university.
We recommend to contact them directly on their website for any special request.

 

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