STATUTE I - Name and Mission

The International Society for Earthquake Precursors which is established in London, England the 5th of June 2007 is a non-governmental international organization, devoted to the development of international cooperation for the advancement of knowledge, research, development, education and training in earthquake prediction sciences, their integration and applications, to contribute to the well-being of humanity and the sustainability of the environment.

STATUTE II - Definitions

Before weather predictions became widely accepted, we had to spend decades learning about climatology, fluid dynamics and the physical laws that govern the ocean and the atmosphere at all scales. We also had to collect immense amounts of historical data and set up satellites to monitor the Ocean-atmosphere system. If earthquake predictions are to become as effective as weather predictions are today, we must take seismology to a comparable level. Earthquake Prediction is the art, science and technology of obtaining reliable information from atmosphere, lithosphere and ionosphere and from other physical objects to predict through recording, measuring, analyzing the occurrence of earthquakes.

The aim of I.S.E.P. is to form a Society with individual and corporate members who work seriously for Earthquake Prediction under one roof and promote their research and work to the governments.
The other aim of I.S.E.P. is also to protect the rights of its members creating international foundation to obtain grants to accomplish their research. The members will always protect their independence and their projects will be published in I.S.E.P. web site, journal and documents. The general public or governmental agencies who want to make donations or give grants will be able to choose the research company published in I.S.E.P. web site or journal or newsletter.

The members will also be able write articles to promote their research.

The Earthquake Protection Companies are also welcome to join I.S.E.P. to introduce their company and their products. I.S.E.P. will organize seminars and workshops also with those companies which will educate the general public how to protect themselves from earthquakes. The non-member basic building companies will also learn which material to use to build earthquake resistance buildings.

The reassessment of earthquake pessimism in the time, when the Planet seismicity increase as consequences of Global Warming, could be achieved faster if the Insurance, Gas and Oil, Transport and other companies start collaboration with I.S.E.P. in solving the earthquake prediction problem.

To achieve its aims, the Organization has been divided into two section as a SCIENTIFIC and SOCIAL Department.

I.S.E.P. respect and share values of the European Code and Ethics resolution adopted by the Council of Strasbourg concerning Earthquake Prediction on October 18, 1991. (The resolution is published at the end of Statutes)

STATUTE III - Qualifications
The Society pursues its aims without any discrimination on grounds of race, religion, nationality, or political philosophy.

STATUTE IV - Activities
To achieve its aims, the Society shall:

(a) Facilitate excellence in research and development and the proper use of appropriate technology in the Earthquake Prediction Research, Early Warning and spatial information sciences, as well as the development of standards;

(b) initiate and coordinate research in the fields of the Earthquake Prediction and spatial information sciences by creating Technical Commissions and Working Groups concerned with pertinent aspects of the geophysics, meteorology, geology, physics , Early Warning and spatial information sciences;

(c) Convene international Congresses, symposia and other meetings, with lectures, communications, discussions, and as appropriate, tutorials, exhibitions, technical visits, and social events;

(d) Ensure wide international circulation of the results of research and the records of discussion by the publication of The International Archives of the Earthquake Prediction and Spatial Information Sciences, which shall form the record of Congresses and Symposia, and other scientific meetings of the Society;

(e) Publish and circulate an international journal, a bulletin, and other communications relevant to the interest of the Society and the community at large;
(f) Stimulate the formation of national and regional Societies of the Earthquake Prediction, Early Warning and spatial information sciences and promote exchanges between such Societies;

(g) Encourage interaction of the Society and its members with the community at large, including the publication and exchange of scientific papers and journals by, and among, its national and regional Societies;

(h) Encourage recognition and administer awards to honor the achievements of individuals or groups;

(i) represent the Earthquake Prediction and spatial information sciences in relevant international forums;

(j) Promote and facilitate education, training, and technology transfer of the Earthquake Prediction, Early Warning and spatial information sciences;

(k) Promote other appropriate actions to enhance the Society's mission.
As a Scientific activities I.S.E.P. shall:

(a) study the large table below with its members;

Earthquake precursors:

• planetary positions
• ground deformations
• geomagnetic methods
• energy accumulation rate
• earthquake clouds
• gravity anomalies
• ground water level
• radon concentrations
• meteorological conditions
• thermal infrared
• infrasound
• crustal stress
• abnormal behaviour of animals
• geo-electric pulse
• MDCB-Method
• historical/statistical data
• ground-based EM field
• Tilt meters
• GPS
• TGFR
• MS-Double Time Method
• Geo-electricity
• Micro-vibration
• Earth resistivity
• Geochemistry
• Seismic gap
• Foreshocks
• Geodesy
• Micro-changes
• ULF/VLF electromagnetic signal perturbations
• ion concentrations in ionosphere
• EM field perturbations in ionosphere

Short -term imminent precursors:

• Thermal-inrared satellite data
• Earthquake clouds
• Infrasound
• Crustily stress
• Abnormal behaviour of Budgerigars
• Geo-electric pulse
• Ground water
• MDCB -Method
• ULF/VLF electromagnetic signal perturbations

Long-term (trend anomalies) / medium -term precursors:

• Planetary positions - gravity pull
• Ground deformation - D - inSAR, GESS
• Geomagnetic methods
• Energy accumulation rate
• Gravity
• Ground water (Radon)
• Meteorology (temp.,drought)
• Statistical methods

Worldwide Future Research:

• Lithosphere- atmosphere-ionosphere coupling (gas, water, aerosol) (Develop decision support system)
• Infrasound arrays for more accurate location of epicentre
• Integrating space-based, ground-based measurement networks
• ESTAPE : Statistical Evaluation for Short-Term and Annual Prediction of Earthquakes
• Formulate prediction methodology testable by others (more objective testing of each precursor techniques)
• Need some funding (more infrasound sensors, crustal stress inducers, networking, planetary position software, etc).

STATUTE V - Cooperation with Other International Organizations

The Society should cooperate with:

(a) international and regional institutions or organizations concerned with Earthquake Prediction, image analysis, spatial information sciences, land survey, geophysics, meteorology, geology and other relevant disciplines;

(b) Inter-governmental bodies of the United Nations and other relevant, international policy-making organizations.

As a Social activities I.S.E.P. shall:

• Encourage interaction of the Society and its members with the community at large, including the publication and exchange of scientific papers and journals by, and among, its national and regional Societies;

• Encourage recognition and administer awards to honor the achievements of individuals or groups;

• Promote worldwide education, training, seminars and work shops concerning Earthquake Prediction research.

• Promote worldwide education, training, seminars and work shops concerning Earthquake Protection subject

• The Foundation’s purpose is to concentrate sensible personage to develop the style of rigorous scientific approach and responsibility for saving lives and reducing the losses properties of human society, who shall be galvanized into action to apply the global natural disaster prediction technology, promote the natural disaster reduction industry, make great efforts to improve the social civilization and maintain the international peace.

• To promote reduction of natural disasters, and to call for the society’s concern for the development and application of natural disasters Prediction Technology

• To collect, manage and utilize the Fund. To increase the value of the Fund in line with the Nation’s policies and laws.

• To assist governments with monetary and material support and to carry out rescue missions to disaster-affected areas

• To promote and finance disaster reduction related social services and charity works, such as scientific researches, seminars, trainings, consulting, exhibitions and studies. To promote exchanges and cooperation with international and domestic groups, organizations and individuals around the world.

• To support and assist groups and organizations who utilize natural disaster Prediction Technology.

STATUTE VI - Membership

The I.S.E.P. should cooperate with:

(a) international and regional institutions or organizations concerned with earthquakes, early warning, image analysis, spatial information sciences, land survey, geophysics, meteorology, geology and other relevant disciplines;

(b) Inter-governmental bodies of the United Nations and other relevant, international policy-making organizations.

STATUTE VI –

a.-Board of Directors

Board of Directors of I.S.E.P. is the supreme body for discussion and policy-making. It comprises of President, Vice-President, Secretary-General and Board Members. President manages the network. Board of Directors of the Foundation has the following authority:

(I) Establish and revise particulars;

(II) Elect and recall President and Vice-President;

(III) Listen and discuss work report and annual financial statements. Examine and investigate asset management report;

(IV) Invite Honorary Chairman and Honorary Directors.

Board of Directors of I.S.E.P. must be held at least once a year with participating members exceeding 2/3. Date and venue are to be fixed by President’s Meeting. Resolutions made by Board of Directors are passed when 50% attended board members consent

President’s Meeting of I.S.E.P. is comprised of a number of board members. When Board of Directors of I.S.E.P. is adjourned, President’s Meeting manages the work of Board of Directors and is responsible for Board of Directors. President’s Meeting has the following authority:

( I ) To execute resolutions of Board of Directors of I.S.E.P.;

( II ) To execute tasks raised by the Charter;

( III ) To convene and chair Board of Directors of I.S.E.P.;

( IV ) To elect and recall Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General;

( V ) To decide amendments or adjustment of Council Members;

( VI ) To decide Council Members of the next term’s number and composition, and to nominate Directors and Deputy Directors

( VII ) To exercise other authorities empowered by Board of Directors of I.E.P.O.

President’s Meeting can only be held when participating members exceed 50%. The President is to fix date and venue and chair meetings. When special occasion arises, President’s Meeting can be held in other forms.
Set by the Foundation is Executive Board which is in charge of daily works authorized by President’s Meeting and Standing Vice-President. Secretary-General will be held responsible for entire Executive Board.

Elected by the foundation are one of President, one of Standing Vice-President and a certain number of Vice-President’s. New term of nominations of President and Vice-President should be made by last term of Chairman’s Meeting, and should be elected out of the First Conference by the Board of Directors of the Foundation. When amendments or adjustments of President and Vice-President are really required in each term, proposals or nominations should be made by Chairman’s Meeting, and then brought to Board of Directors of the Foundation.

Nominations of Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General should be made by President and then brought to Chairman’s Meeting. When a certain number of concurrent job of Deputy Secretaries-General are required, nominations should be made by Secretary-General, and then brought to Chairman’s Meeting.

Elected by the Foundation are President, Vice-President and Secretary-General who must comply with the following conditions:

(I) Keep discipline and abide by the low;

(II) Be provided with High prestige and strong ability of verbal command based on social relations;

( III ) sound in mind and body who can keep on doing normal works;

( IV ) have complete capability of civil liability behavior?

President is regarded as a representative of a legal entity of the Foundation, (When it was in particular conditions that need to regard Vice-President as a representative of a legal entity of the Foundation instead, the letter of application should be endorsed by direct supervision unit and approved by registration and management unit). President has the following authority:

(I) Shoulder the responsibility of the lead ship of the comprehensive works of the foundation;

(II) Convene and chair the conference of Board of directors and Chairman’s Meeting;

(III) Supervise the practicable conditions decided by Board of Directors and Chairman’s Meeting, and daily works of Executive Board;

(IV) Sign his name on the significant documents concerned on behalf of the Foundation.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS (? members) can be changed

President

Vice President – Responsible for Asia
Vice President – Responsible for America
Vice President – Responsible for Europe & other countries
Vice President – Responsible for Earthquake Protection

Secretary General

Member of the Board - General Director of Research
Member of the Board – General Director of I.T. & P.R.
Member of the Board - General Director of Funding
Member of the Board – General Director of Membership

STATUTE VI –
b.-Membership

1. The fee of membership will be € 100 / year for each individual participant and € 200 / year for each organization

2. As we mentioned in Definitions section, the members benefit will be the following:

• Publish their research in I.S.E.P. web site, magazine, newsletter etc

• Access unlimited to the I.S.E.P. forum page designed exclusively for members.

• Write articles in the website, magazine, newsletters

• To protect the rights of its members creating international foundation to obtain grants to accomplish their research

• To assist international workshops, meetings, conferences with a reasonable fees.
Funds

Sources for the formation of property and assets of the Foundation are:

(I) Contributions and donations given by individuals and legal entities on a voluntary basis home and abroad.

(II) Accumulating funds by increments as well as profit from financial investments.

(III) Income from businesses and financial services within authorizing operations limits.

(IV) Funds appropriated by the government;

(V) Other sources not forbidden by legislation.

Purpose of the fund

(I) Providing the financial assistance to programs and activities concerning Earthquake Prediction within the operations limits stipulated by the Foundation Charter, or any programs and activities in accordance with statutory aims of the Foundation.

(II) Financing specific targeted activities and programs to the benefit of natural disaster reduction cause in accordance with the wishes of the benefactor.

(III) Promoting the establishment of the specific designated fund to satisfy the demands made by the Foundation along with its development.

Administration and inspection of the fund

(I) the raise of funds should be carried out in conformity with the volunteer principle, according to strict donating procedure and with sincere acknowledgements.

(II) Complying with Foundation Administration Bylaws stipulated by legislation as well as the principles of good accounting management.

(III) The Foundation has its own independent accounts management system with its own professionally qualified accountants. The Accounts shall be made up in conformity with the principles of good accounting practice, with regard to both the valuation of its assets and the itemization of the accounts and denomination of the various entries.

(IV)The Accounts of the Foundation shall be publicized periodically and subjected to audit by the Board of Directors of the Foundation and concerning authority as well as the public.

( V ) Any embezzlement or misappropriation of the Foundation’s assets and property is forbidden.

( VI ) Routine working business expenses of the Foundation shall be charged from Value-added on fund, Specific Designated Subsidization and other kinds of incomes;

(VII) There are full-time staff members of the Foundation whose pay and conditions of salary, insurance and welfare funds shall be in complied with the relevant regulations of institution established by our country.

STATUTE VII - Organization and Administration

The direction and management of I.S.E.P., including the conduct of its technical and scientific program, shall be undertaken through the following components: the Congress, the General Assembly, the Council, the Financial Commission, the Technical Commissions and the Sustaining Members Committee.

STATUTE VIII - Officers

1. The Officers of the Society shall be the President of the Society, the other Members of the Council and the Presidents of Technical Commissions.
2. The Officers shall serve from the termination of the Congress at which they are elected or appointed until the completion of the next ensuing Congress.

STATUTE IX - Congress

1. The Congress shall consist of Earthquake Prediction specialists in attendance.
2. The Congress shall normally meet every four years.
3. The Congress shall be convened in plenary session at least twice during the course of each Congress.

STATUTE X - Headquarters
The headquarters of the Society shall be designated by the Council.

EUROPEAN CODE AND ETHICS

The European Seismological Commission, held in Barcelona (Spain) on September 20, 1990, adopted two resolutions concerning Earthquake Prediction.

Resolution 1: Moratorium. The European Seismological Commission,

• Recognizing the social and economic implications of the release of earthquake predictions to the public,

• Strongly appeals to the sense of responsibility of all scientists not to convey any predictions, or opinions which can be considered as predictions, or opinions which can be considered as predictions, of earthquakes to the public media or to persons related to them, before having the predictions properly evaluated according to the scientific state of the art and before appropriate procedures have been developed to evaluate such predictions.

The voluntary moral moratorium should not impede the freedom of scientific research and the critical discussion of predictions with the scientific community; rather, it should be used to increase the efforts to collect real-time data as the necessary basis for evaluation criteria.

Resolution 2: Evaluation Committee. The European Seismological Commission,

• Recognizing the need for a European Scientific Evaluation Committee for Earthquake Predictions,

• Offers its assistance and advice to the Council of Europe in establishing such a committee on the basis of its scientific competence in the field,

• Urges the national authorities of countries in earthquake-prone areas to establish national evaluation committees. The European Committee should only be approached if national evaluation committees cannot be established or if a national committee requests advice.
It has to be pointed out, however, that generally accepted criteria for the evaluation of earthquake predictions are still being developed,

• Welcomes initiative of the “Open Partial Agreement” to organize International Conference on Earthquake Prediction: State-of-the-Art, October, 1991, in Strasbourg, which aims to establish a tentative scheme for evaluating earthquake predictions.
They were detailed discussions of questions concerning earthquake prediction at the conference of the European Council in Strasbourg. This resulted in the adoption on October 18, 1991, of the European Code of Ethics Concerning Earthquake Predictions, which runs as follows (Council of Europe, 1991)

Preamble. Information concerning earthquake prediction can have dramatic repercussions on society if it is not based on various ethical principles that define the relation between science and society. Erroneous information can have social, psychological, political, and economical, etc., consequences linked to panic and stress, generating mistrust of the population toward scientists and civil authorities.
The keystone of professional conduct of scientists involved in earthquake prediction is integrity. They shall conduct themselves with conscience, responsibility, and impartiality towards the public, towards civil authorities, towards the media, towards their employers, and towards their fellow scientists, and shall apply their knowledge for the benefit of mankind.

Where research or activities carried out by a scientist lead to forecast an earthquake, he/she has a duty to:

• Verify with other scientists the relevance of the scientific data and procedures that have led him to predict an earthquake;

• Inform the senior staff of the scientific and technical institutions for which he works. The scientist has a duty to bring his predictions to the attention of the authorities of the country where he works, through the appropriate channels.

The scientist should not inform the media or the public of earthquake predictions through channels other than the appropriate, and only if he is authorized to do so, or if the public authority has requested him to do so.

The European Advisory Evaluation Committee for earthquake prediction. Wherever useful and possible, the creation of a national evaluation committee in the field of earthquake prediction is recommended.

The European Advisory Evaluation Committee for earthquake prediction can be approached by:

• National authorities of a country where such a national evaluation committee does not exist, or as an appeal;

• National evaluation committees in order to obtain its objective opinion.

Under no circumstances should a European Advisory Evaluation Committee be seen as a body proclaiming the official truth, but rather as a body officially responsible for expressing an opinion, including its doubts about its own capacity to understand and judge. There can be no question of placing such a committee in a situation where it is driven to substitute itself for the national evaluation committees or the civil authorities, the latter having to take decisions, regardless of the quality of information available to them.

The European Advisory Evaluation Committee will be composed of a maximum of fifteen scientists proposed by the European Seismological Commission (ESC) in consultation with the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), and other European scientific institutions. A list of consultants will be established in order to advise the European Advisory Evaluation Committee.

The secretariat of the European Advisory Evaluation Committee will be served by the executive secretariat of the Open Partial Agreement and reinforced by advisors from the European centers of the Open Partial Agreement, in close coordination with the European Seismological Commission.

The duration of the non renewable mandate of the members of the European Advisory Evaluation Committee will be six years. Half the Committee’s membership will be renewed every three years.

Conduct of the scientist in relation to foreign countries. Notification of the authorities of a foreign country shall be the responsibility of the authorities of the country where the scientist is working.

It is the responsibility of the authorities of the country or countries for which an earthquake is forecast by a scientist, who is bound by the ethical principles defined in the preamble, to inform the public and the media.

For more than 10 years in the Interdepartmental Council on Seismology and Seismoresistant Buildings (presently Seismological Scientific, Engineering, and Coordination Center, Russian Academy of Sciences), an expert group has been working on earthquake prediction, and has gained significant experience in the evaluation of predictions and created a card index of the incoming predictions. At present there are some efforts to establish an expert council within the planned Russian State Seismological Service.

We appeal to all scientists and specialists working with the problem of prediction to follow the above stated Moratorium and Code of Ethics and address their predictions primarily to the Seismological Scientific, Engineering, and Coordination Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, located at: Moscow, Ul’yanovskaya St, 51.