Aren’t earthquakes a problem for the E-ELT?
The E-ELT Project Office has considered the seismic risk in all of the design aspects of the telescope. The quantification of seismic risk was the subject of extensive analysis at the time of the selection of Paranal for the VLT. The design criteria for the E-ELT follow closely those used for the VLT in terms of accelerations, but take into account the most recent international norms for their application. Two studies were commissioned to re-evaluate the design criteria and this work was reviewed by three independent teams of experts. In addition to these studies, four independent contractors developed options for seismically isolating the telescope and the dome. Most of the resulting precautions against rapid accelerations for the telescope, its optical systems and the dome, would have to be in place in any case to avoid accidental damage. These protections do not carry large budgetary impacts for the telescopes.
