A Bavarian seismological station tracks nuclear tests In the Bavarian forest, a few kilometres from the border with the Czech Republic, a seismological station can detect waves caused by nuclear tests all over the world. Inaugurated in 1989 to monitor nuclear activities related to the Cold War, it has more recently detected North Korean tests and also monitors the planet's natural seismic activity. Completely autonomous, it only receives visits from scientists or technicians from time to time for maintenance work.