The seismic safety of nuclear installations has received substantial attention in the IAEA within the framework of its statutory functions for establishing IAEA Safety Standards and assisting Member States in their application. Over the past years, attention has been renewed worldwide due to the occurrence of strong earthquakes, some of which affected existing nuclear installations beyond their original design levels.
The role of the ISSC is to assist IAEA Member States in external hazard assessment, and in aspects of site selection and site evaluation. With the support and participation of Member States, and with scientific guidance provided by a newly-established Scientific Committee, the ISSC serves as a global focal point for safety against external hazards for nuclear installations world-wide.