IASPEI promotes the study of earthquakes and other seismic sources, the propagation of seismic waves, and the Earth's internal structure, properties, and processes. Scientists participating in IASPEI initiate and co-ordinate research and scientific exchanges that demand co-operation among countries. Work on specific topics is carried out through commissions, committees, task and working groups formed to meet specific needs of new, exciting problems as they emerge.
The International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) is the international organization dedicated to advancing, promoting, and communicating knowledge of the Earth system, its space environment, and the dynamical processes causing change.
The main purpose of the ISC is to compile the ISC Bulletin, regarded as the definitive record of the Earth's seismicity. Data is collected from over 130 agencies worldwide and is available online soon after being received. The Reviewed ISC Bulletin is typically available 24 months behind real-time and is manually checked by ISC analysts.