In the region of the Gulf of Corinth for about 30 years a concerted effort has been made to better understand the geophysical processes (e.g. earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis) that take place in the region. Studies conducted, which were based on GNSS and Earth observation satellites, revealed North – South extension rates across the gulf of up to about 1.5 cm per year during the last 20 years, a phenomenon unique in Europe and the world for areas beyond the tectonic boundaries. The rifting mechanism observed is crucial for the stability of the region, as it can lead to submarine slope failures. The Gulf of Corinth has been long identified as a site of major importance due to its intense past geophysical activity. The rifting mechanism observed is crucial for the stability of the area, as it can lead to submarine slope failures and possible damaging tsunamis. On land, the same fault system causes landslides. Moreover, the south coast of the Corinth rift is uplifting whereas the north part is subsiding.

The area is studied by research teams from Europe and an institution or human network, the Corinth Rift Laboratory, (CRL) has been established, de facto. Researchers and professors from universities and research centres across Europe are participating in the CRL partners network.

For the most complete and thorough study, a large number of instruments (seismometers, accelerometers, GPS satellite receivers, tide gauges, tilt-meters etc.) have been installed. About 40 seismographs and accelerographs, as well as 30 geodetic GNSS stations have been installed in an area of 90 X 70 km2. Moreover, almost 100 campaign GNSS points are being revisited over time in order to densify the geodetic measurements. At the same time, data obtained from Earth Observation satellites and ground observations are being used in CRL research projects and CRL studies by various research teams, covering a wide scientific field, with a view to an in-depth understanding of the intense geophysical processes that take place. Recent common studies from the CRL group fully exploited the in-situ seismological, geodetic and satellite measurements of the 2020-2021 seismic crisis at the CRL area, demonstrating the awareness, alertness and the high level of activation of the researchers of the network.

The Gulf of Corinth is included as a Near fault Observatory (NFO) within the European Plate Observing Systems (EPOS) as Corinth Rift Observatory (CRO) and as formal infrastructure of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). Moreover, it is a supersite (within Geohazard Supersites and Natural Laboratories Group on Earth Observation initiative.

The CRL governance schema includes the CRL Governance Committee (one member from each partner institute) and the CRL General Assembly. Additionally, a CRL Visiting Committee acting as external advisory body is about to be formed.

On June 11, 2024 the Corinth Rift Laboratory General Assembly 2024 was held at the University of Athens, in hybrid mode. A number of 24 participants from all the partner institutes from Greece (National and Kapodistrian university of Athens, National Observatory of Athens and University of Patras), France (French National Centre for Scientific Research) and Chechia (University of Prague) as well as external partner from Italy (National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology ) was present either live or remotely. At the General Assembly, the past activities of the Laboratory, concerning governance, scientific and maintenance issues were presented and new ones were discussed, decided and allocated for resolving. Past and future common opportunities for project proposals were discussed. A number of topics, including the adoption of strategical decisions for the long term sustainability of the CRL, the obligations arising from the participation in EPOS NFO as well as the educational and outreach activities were also discussed. The CRL General Assembly 2024 agenda has been posted the minutes soon will be, too as it has been decided to be freely disseminated. They can (will) be found at the CRL General Assembly 2024 web page.