Guided Tours through Hidden Highlights at the University and the ETH

Calatrava Library at the University

• Wednesday and Thursday, 2-3 pm
• Registration and tickets (CHF 15.-) at the Info-Desk
• Groups of max. 18 persons

‘As if freely suspended in air, the six reading galleries, enclosing a lens-shaped light funnel, rise up to the dome roof. Glass, white stone, white steel girders, light maple wood and boun- tiful daylight are all combinded to create a daring shape, while generating an easy elegance. The library of the University of Zurich Law Faculty was designed by spanish architect and engi- neer Santiago Calatrava. The library building was integrated in the courtyard of an existing building. It opened in 2004 and houses around 200’000 books and 500 study places.’

www.rwi.uzh.ch

Text: University of Zurich, Photo: Hans-Jakob Lüthi

 

 

Museum Focus Terra at the ETH

• Wednesday and Thursday, 2-3 pm
  
• Registration and tickets (CHF 15.-) at the Info-Desk
  
• Groups of max. 12 persons

‘Focus Terra is an inspiring new museum which explains in an easily understandable way the geologic processes in and on our planet. It displays exciting aspects of the Earth and shows how earthquakes are triggered, what makes volcanoes erupt, where gems come from and what fossils tell us about the origin of life. The exhibit also explains how the Alps came to be and what the climate was once like in the past.

The three levels of the public exhibition structure are dedicated to various themes which range from the formation of the Earth and the processes operating within the Earth to the treasures of the Earth’s crust and the surface which act as archives of Earth’s history. Each exhibition level displays the relationship to the region by depicting the natural phenomena in relation to our daily lives.

The exhibition hosts an earthquake simulator. The facility, weighing a massive 3 tonnes, can simulate the ground motion of earthquakes up to intensity 8. The electrically driven simu- lator is furnished with tables and other movable objects and can seat up to 10 people. Using real recorded seismic signals and with no risk, visitors can experience the phenomenon of an ‘earthquake’. The earthquake simulation is not only intended to increase the public’s awareness of Switzerland’s vulnerability to earthquakes, but also to demonstrate safe personal behavior and practice in the case of an earthquake. The visit of the earthquake simulator is at one’s own risk.’

The guided tour focuses on the earthquake topic (incl. simulator).
The other parts of the exhibition can be visited individually: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.

www.focusterra.ethz.ch

Text: Earth Science Research and Information Centre ETH Zurich, Photo: Radek Brunecky