focusTerra

About the museum

The ETH Zurich Earth Sciences building was constructed between 1912 and 1916 to plans by Gustav Gull and soon housed the university's geological and mineralogical collection. In the 1960s growing space requirements forced major alterations under Alfred Roth; the collection was then reinstalled in 1980.

During a comprehensive renovation between 2005 and 2009, a tower-like exhibition structure was built in the inner courtyard, with its content and design handled by Holzer Kobler Architekturen. Since its opening in 2009, focusTerra has presented Earth and planetary sciences in an accessible way as an Earth & Science Discovery Center. In 2019 the permanent exhibition was fundamentally revised; since then all texts have also been available in English.

The tour leads from the dynamics of the Earth with earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain building, through the treasures of the Earth with crystals and minerals, to the archives of the Earth with fossils and landscape reliefs. An earthquake simulator built in 2006 on behalf of the Federal Office for the Environment lets visitors experience ground movements up to magnitude 8 firsthand.

Highlights

• Earthquake simulator for up to 10 people (only with a one-hour guided tour)
• Exhibition tower on three levels: dynamics, treasures and archives of the Earth
• Crystals and minerals of the Alps from the ETH collections
• Fossil plants and geologically painted landscape reliefs
• Projection globe and media stations with drone footage
• Free admission

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung focusTerra – An exhibition tower shows, from the dynamics of the Earth through crystals and minerals to fossils and landscape reliefs, how the Earth works and how it has changed.
• Erdbebensimulator – A container room for up to 10 people that reproduces ground movements up to magnitude 8 using real earthquake signals; access only with a guided tour.

Founded

2009

Operated by

ETH Zürich, Departement Erd- und Planetenwissenschaften

Director

Ulrike Kastrup

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free. The earthquake simulator is only accessible as part of a one-hour guided tour; on Sundays public tours take place at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Group and school tours as well as workshops are charged per group or school class.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance is at street level with automatic doors and is marked on the sidewalk with an attention field for blind and visually impaired people. Accessible elevators with Braille labeling connect the exhibition levels, and all exhibition areas are accessible by wheelchair. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located at the entrance and one floor below; a disabled parking space is right next to the main entrance. Seating is available in the exhibition area and in the atrium. Tours for people with disabilities can be booked.

Kids & families

• Hands-on stations

The earthquake simulator offers a physical experience of earthquakes. Tours and workshops are available for school classes.

Getting there & parking

Entrance at Sonneggstrasse 5 in the ETH Earth and Planetary Sciences building.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check

Cloakrooms in the main hall, which is accessible without barriers (unsupervised).

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit