FocusTerra museum, Zurich

focusTerra is the earth science discovery centre of ETH Zurich, housed in the historic NO building of the university on Sonneggstrasse, about a ten-minute walk uphill from Zurich main station. Entry is free.

The permanent exhibition explains how the Earth was formed, why volcanoes erupt and earthquakes happen and where gemstones come from, with minerals and rocks from the ETH collections, current research results and interactive displays. Changing special exhibitions run alongside it; the current one, KEEP IT CO₂OL – Tech to the rescue?, is about technologies against climate change.

The earthquake simulator can only be visited on a one-hour guided tour; public tours take place on Sundays. focusTerra is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00, and it is closed on Saturdays.