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GEM participated in the first General Assembly of the SIGMA‑3 project, held in Espoo, Finland, as part of an international effort to advance seismic hazard assessment in support of nuclear safety. 

SIGMA‑3 is a multi-year research initiative focused on improving the science and methods used to assess seismic hazard and ground motion, particularly for critical infrastructure such as nuclear power plants. The project is supported by a consortium of European and international industry and regulatory bodies. 

Representing GEM were Marco Pagani, Head of Seismic Hazard, along with Zainab Asaad and Fahrettin Kuran, PhD students from IUSS Pavia. GEM’s participation contributes to SIGMA‑3’s goal of strengthening site-specific hazard estimates, with a focus on improving approaches to probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA), particularly in the Nordic region. 

GEM representatives contributed to technical discussions on methodologies and modelling, reinforcing the Foundation’s role in connecting academic research with real-world applications. Their input supports the ongoing refinement of hazard estimates for nuclear sites and promotes open, consistent frameworks for hazard modelling. 

Through its involvement, GEM is sharing open-source tools, data and expertise to help ensure that seismic risk modelling remains transparent, science-based and accessible. The collaboration highlights how GEM’s core values – openness, credibility and public good – align with the safety priorities of the nuclear energy sector. 

The next SIGMA‑3 General Assembly is scheduled for December 2025. GEM will continue to support the initiative’s progress toward more reliable seismic safety assessments for critical facilities.

For more information, please visit: Sigma 3 Technical Program - sigma