Based on the instructions of the Council of Ministers (1994), the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) established the Kuwait National Seismic Network (KNSN) in 1996. The KNSN started functioning in March 1997. The network was designed to:

• Monitor the seismic activities in the State of Kuwait.
  
• Record earthquake events inside Kuwait and in the surrounding areas, i.e., (local, regional and teleseismic events).
  
• Proceed with necessary studies and research concerned with seismology
  
• Characterize seismicity status in the State of Kuwait to develop local seismic hazard maps.
  
• Cooperate with concerned authorities to establish seismic codes for buildings.
  
• Exchange seismic data with international seismological networks.
  
• Create a cadre of qualified national manpower in the field of seismology.

Kuwaiti national network for monitoring earthquakes