On 23 October 2012, the first permanent geophysical multi-parameter station of DESERVE in Palestine was inaugurated in the presence of the Prime Minister of Palestine, Dr. Salam Fayyad. DESERVE was represented by Prof. Christoph Kottmeier (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, KIT) and Prof. Michael Weber (German Research Centre for Geosciences, GFZ). The station is located north of Jericho at Al Uja, Palestine. On 21 October 2012, a second geophysical multi-parameter station was already inaugurated at Ghor Haditha, Jordan.

The data of the measuring instruments (broadband seismometers, accelerometers, GPS, magnetotellurics) are transmitted via satellite directly to the GFZ, where they are provided in real-time within the GEOFON Program to the partners in the region and the international community.

The stations mark a central part of DESERVE: The establishment and operation of a trans-boundary high-quality monitoring network of seismic, geodynamic, hydrological, and meteorological stations in the Dead Sea region. The long-term measurements of geophysical parameters enable detailed studies of interacting processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere, as well as simulations for the prediction and prevention of geophysical risks.

From left to right: Prof. Christoph Kottmeier, DESERVE-Coordinator (KIT); Prof. Michael Weber (GFZ); Prof. Rami Hammdallah, President of the An Najah National University; Dr. Salam Fayyad, Prime Minister of Palestine.