Sara Figueras

Professional with more than 20 years of experience in Geophysics, specifically the disciplines of Applied Geophysics, Seismology, Earthquake Engineering and Avalanche forecasting. Since 1990 she has been involved in numerous technical works and projects related to seismology, seismic networks implementations and seismic risk evaluation, as well as the application of geophysical methods in the fields of hydrogeology, geological cartography, urban geology, geothermal exploration, environment and geological risks. Her main technical activity and developments have been oriented to the seismic signal analysis processing procedures, the application of experimental and numerical simulation techniques to local seismic effects characterisation, seismic hazard evaluation and microtremor surveys for urban geophysics studies. It is worth noting her teaching activity since 1995 in various specialization courses, seminars, postgraduate and master's degrees taught at different universities in Spain, as well as the direction of Doctoral and Master theses, all of them in the field of Geophysics and its applications. She is currently the head of the Geophysics Area inside the Cartographic and Geological Institute of Catalonia (ICGC) and coordinates and manages three teams consisting of highly qualified technicians with extensive experience, high kills and competences in geophysical exploration methods (seismic, electrical, electromagnetics, well logging, gravimetric, and vibrations monitoring), seismology, seismic networks and seismic risk management and avalanches prediction and prevention. The team also provides experience in the application of numerical methods for the interpretation of the models obtained in the processing of the data acquired in the field as well as numerical simulation methods for the propagation of seismic waves to characterize the seismic response of the soil in the seismic hazard studies. The Area of Geophysics, managed by Dr Sara Figueras, is involved in the development and implementation of several protection emergency plans in Catalonia leaded by the civil protection authorities.