In 1893, a unique scientific collection was published, the Catalog of Earthquakes of the Russian Empire. The authors gathered extensive data, from chronicles to modern times, to identify the most seismically hazardous regions of the country. They noted that seismic activity and mountain-building processes have a common geodynamic nature. A special contribution was made by physicist Boris Borisovich Golitsyn, a graduate of the University of Strasbourg.

Golitsyn, being a 'field' scientist, preferred to study phenomena on-site. At his initiative, a network of seismic stations began to be built in the Russian Empire in regions with potential earthquakes, paying special attention to the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Tomsk province. In Berdsk, on March 3, 1882, residents heard a subterranean rumble and felt strong tremors that shook the walls. Golitsyn proposed to record all tremors, even weak ones, at 22 stations. Initially, spring pendulums were used, which, although not very effective, still registered oscillations.

Later, Golitsyn significantly improved the equipment. Russian seismographs became the most accurate in the world, and they were quickly purchased by the USA, Germany, England, Switzerland, and France. Thanks to the high sensitivity and ability of the instruments to dampen their own oscillations, scientists obtained quality data on seismic waves.

Observations from Russian stations in Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk helped discover the Earth's inner core. Boris Golitsyn became a leading world expert in seismology, and scientists from various countries sought his advice. Since 1912, he headed the International Seismological Association. Unfortunately, much remained unfulfilled, as he passed away in 1916 at the age of 54.