Site Survey
Broad layout drawing depicting the enormous footprint of the LIGO-India observatory.
To minimise the noise from terrestrial sources the interferometers must be built in a place where earthquakes are least likely. Turns out that the Deccan plateau in India is one of the most seismically quiet zones in the world.
LIGO-India site search involved weeks long seismic survey measurements at potential sites to ensure that the natural and man-made ground vibrations were within tolerable limits.
With collaboration of Indian Seismic Survey. A list of the most seismically QUIET zones of India were identified. After detailed study using data from ISRO's CARTOSAT which can map the earth surface with the special resolution of 2.5 meters, a few sites were short listed. The contribution of IISER Kolkata in the site analysis is notable. Later a detailed map and specification of the most favourable constructions was prepared by TATA Consultancy Services.
A country wide search for an appropriate site for LIGO-India in low earthquake risk zone since Sept 2011 followed up on 37 site leads.