China’s earthquake and geo-information authorities on Nov 18 signed a deal to share data, strengthening their capabilities in earthquake prevention and relief.

Under the deal, the China Earthquake Administration (CEA) and the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geo-information will regularly exchange data including from the Global Navigation Satellite System, gravitational observation, observation of magnetic fields, mapping of geological formations and topography, and remote sensing.

They also agreed to launch gravitational surveillance in Tibet, filling a void for such statistics in that region, and to use the China-managed BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and gravitation satellites in quake prevention and disaster reduction.

The value of the two authorities cooperating has already been demonstrated by their effectively sharing remote sensing and other observation data to help with relief following the Wenchuan and Yushu earthquakes in 2008 and 2010, said CEA head Chen Jianmin.