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News How GEM’s New June Releases Expand the Global Picture of Earthquake Risk By: Apr 24, 2026 Apr 20, 2026 Share Facebook LinkedIn GEM’s June 2026 release will not only update its core global hazard and risk products but also extend the scope of earthquake risk analysis into areas that are increasingly important for long-term planning and decision-making. Alongside updated global hazard and risk maps, the release will introduce new global seismic hazard datasets and new products on future exposure and risk, global road network exposure to liquefaction, and the carbon cost of earthquakes, and will also highlight advances in the hazard modelling that underpins these global products. Overall, the new release reflects a broader view of earthquake risk: one that considers not only where losses may occur, but also how impacts may change over time, affect critical systems, and generate wider consequences for recovery and resilience. These products add new layers of evidence for users working across research, public policy, engineering, insurance and investment. Among the main releases are GEM’s updated global hazard maps, which will provide, for the first time, a fully global view of seismic hazard , extending across the oceans so that onshore and offshore sources are treated consistently within one unified global framework. These maps remain a core reference product and support a wide range of applications, from scientific analysis to broader risk assessment and planning work. GEM will also release updated global risk maps, offering the latest view of earthquake risk across countries and regions . As one of GEM’s flagship global products, these maps help translate hazard information into potential impacts, supporting comparison, communication and further analysis. Furthermore, pioneering global views of future exposure and risk until 2065 will add a forward-looking dimension to GEM’s global portfolio. By looking beyond present-day conditions, this product is expected to support analysis of how risk may evolve under changing patterns of development, urban growth and asset accumulation, and how decisions we take today can increase resilience and change this future risk trajectory. GEM will unveil the first-ever probabilistic assessment of global liquefaction hazard , together with an analysis of the exposure of road networks to this secondary hazard caused by earthquakes. By bringing this aspect into GEM’s global product suite, the release will help users consider ground failure effects that can contribute significantly to earthquake damage and disruption, especially to infrastructure. GEM is also preparing to release an innovative product that will highlight the global environmental impact caused by earthquakes through embodied carbon (i.e. the greenhouse gas emissions generated by the entire life cycle of building materials). This introduces a new perspective that connects the built environment, risk and sustainability. This product links earthquake damage with reconstruction demand and the material consequences of recovery, helping broaden the discussion of earthquake cost beyond direct physical and economic losses alone. These products will be presented in June during the GEM Conference 2026, where participants will have an opportunity to learn more about their underlying methods and potential applications. A fuller report on the releases and related discussions will follow in the next edition of the newsletter. No images found. GALLERY 1/0 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

Publications Development of a fragility and vulnerability model for global seismic risk analyses Share Facebook LinkedIn Download 2020 | Peer-reviewed Seismic fragility and vulnerability assessment is an essential step in the evaluation of probabilistic seismic risk. Ideally, models developed and calibrated for the building portfolio of interest would be readily available. However, the lack of damage data and insufficient analytical studies lead to a paucity of fragility and vulnerability models, in particular in the developing world. This study describes the development of an analytical fragility and vulnerability model covering the most common building classes at the global scale. Nearly five hundred functions were developed to cover the majority of combinations of construction material, height, lateral load resisting system and seismic design level. The fragility and vulnerability were derived using nonlinear time-history analyses on equivalent single-degree-of-freedom oscillators and a large set of ground motion records representing several tectonic environments. The resulting fragility and vulnerability functions were validated through a series of tests which include the calculation of the average annual loss ratio for a number of locations, the comparison of probabilities of collapse across all building classes, and the repetition of past seismic events. The set of vulnerability functions was used for the assessment of economic losses due to earthquakes as part of the global seismic risk model supported by the Global Earthquake Model Foundation.

News RISE Project Annual Conference By: Jun 6, 2022 Share Facebook LinkedIn GEM represented by John Schneider participated in the eal-time earthquake rIsk reduction for a reSilient Europe or RISE annual project conference from May 11th - 13th in Florence, Italy. RISE is a 3-year project coordinated by ETH Zurich and financed by the Horizon 2020 programme of the European Commission involving 19 organisations from across Europe and five international partners. The conference was the first in-person conference most participants had attended in more than two years. Coincidentally, during the conference dinner on a 5th-floor rooftop, participants experienced ground shaking from a M3.7 earthquake with an epicentre 12 km from Florence. The short, sharp shake was a clear reminder of the importance of developing earthquake alerts and protocols for response, including for small earthquakes. Results of the research will feed into improved earthquake monitoring, alerts, short-term forecasting and communication protocols John noted that “GEM’s Openquake Engine and databases are being used extensively by project participants across many work packages, and demonstrate how GEM’s tools have become fundamental to European scientists and engineers for the development of earthquake scenarios and in forecasting or estimating earthquake impacts.” No images found. GALLERY RISE annual conference 2022 Florence RISE conference event dinner location vs earthquake epicentre on May 12th (star) RISE annual conference 2022 Florence RISE conference event dinner location vs earthquake epicentre on May 12th (star) 1/1 Gallery VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News Seismic Science in Action: Helen Crowley's AEES Joyner Lecture and Geoscience Australia Visit By: Dec 18, 2024 Nov 21, 2024 Share Facebook LinkedIn Helen Crowley, Secretary General of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, recently visited Australia, delivering the prestigious Joyner Memorial Lecture at the 2024 Australian Earthquake Engineering Society (AEES) Conference in Adelaide and engaging with Geoscience Australia in Canberra. Her visit highlighted the ongoing collaborations and future opportunities to enhance seismic resilience across the region. At AEES 2024, Helen presented the Joyner Memorial Lecture, titled “Why Seismic Hazard Modelling Has Become a Risky Business” , addressing the evolving challenges and advancements in seismic hazard modelling. Her talk explored the implications of these developments on building design and resilience strategies. Other notable keynote speakers included Timothy Sullivan from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and David Wald of the U.S. Geological Survey. The conference served as a hub for earthquake scientists and engineers from academia and industry, promoting discussions on a wide range of topics of relevance to earthquake resilience. Helen remarked, “The AEES provides an invaluable opportunity for the earthquake community in Australia and neighbouring countries to exchange knowledge and build connections that are essential for advancing earthquake science and public safety.” Before the conference, Helen visited Geoscience Australia (GA), a long-standing GEM public partner, to explore collaborative projects and share updates on mutual interests. Whilst there she met with a number of teams within GA’s Community Safety Branch, including Earthquake Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Mitigation, and Natural Hazards and Impacts. Key topics of discussion included advances in seismic hazard modelling, multi-hazard risk assessment with the OpenQuake Engine, the ongoing RAMSEY project, and areas of future collaboration in seismic hazard and risk assessment, both nationally and internationally. “The collaboration between GEM and Geoscience Australia demonstrates how partnerships can translate science into actionable outcomes, particularly in a region like Australia where seismic activity, while infrequent, still poses significant risks,” Helen said. Helen’s visit underscored the shared commitment to improving earthquake preparedness and risk reduction strategies in Australia and beyond. As both GEM and Geoscience Australia explore further opportunities for collaboration, such as aftershock hazard assessments and rapid impact assessment, these initiatives are expected to contribute to a safer, more resilient future. For more details on GEM's work or to arrange a customised presentation tailored to your organisation’s needs, contact the GEM Foundation. GEM’s projects and programmes for the public sector aim to inform policy-making, enhance risk reduction planning, and support efforts to build safer and more resilient communities. To learn more about GEM’s ‘past, present, and future’ programs, download the paper: “A Brief Overview of the Past, Present, and Future of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation” . No images found. GALLERY 1/5 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News GIROJ releases Japanese version of the OpenQuake engine user manual By: Jul 2, 2018 Share Facebook LinkedIn Mr. Suguru Fujita during the March hazard modelling workshop in Pavia, Italy. Mr. Fujita has a background in applied mathematics and led the translation of GEM’s OpenQuake engine manual into Japanese. The General Insurance Rating Organization of Japan (GIROJ) has completed the translation of the OpenQuake engine user's manual into Japanese and released it last July 31 through GIROJ’s website http://www.giroj.or.jp/news/2017/170731-2.html. The translation was completed in cooperation with Oyo Corporation. Earlier this year, during GEM’s Hazard Modelling Tools workshop in March, Mr. Suguru of GIROJ shared why they embarked on this project, “GEM’s OpenQuake engine is the global standard tool for seismic hazard and risk analyses. We are translating the manual so more of our partners and colleagues can use the engine.” The Japanese version of the OQ engine manual is expected to reach modellers, scientists and engineers in universities, government, and private engineering and insurance sectors in Japan. GIROJ has been a GEM partner since 2012 and OYO Corporation has been a partner since 2013. No images found. GALLERY 1/0 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News Vitor Silva receives EGU Award By: Oct 29, 2019 Share Facebook LinkedIn Vitor Silva, Risk Team Coordinator, 2020 NH Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award Congratulations Vitor Silva for receiving the Natural Hazards Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award of the European Geosciences Union - EGU! The GEM family is proud of your achievement! (Watch this space for updates) No images found. GALLERY 1/0 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News GEM Showcases Vision for Seismic Resilience at INGV’s 25th Anniversary By: Dec 17, 2024 Oct 29, 2024 Share Facebook LinkedIn In a significant milestone for the earthquake science community, the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Italy, commemorated its 25th anniversary with a series of seminars and a special issue of its journal, the Annals of Geophysics. As part of this celebration, the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation was invited to contribute a paper, highlighting the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions. “GEM’s collaboration with INGV and its contributions to the Annals of Geophysics reflect our shared commitment to advancing earthquake science and promoting global seismic risk reduction,” said Licia Faenza, Researcher, National Earthquake Centre - INGV . “Their participation in INGV’s 25th year underscores the value of partnerships in addressing seismic challenges.” GEM Secretary General Helen Crowley authored the paper, “A Brief Overview of the Past, Present, and Future of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation,” which explores GEM’s evolution from a groundbreaking initiative to a leading authority in seismic hazard and risk modeling. Presented in Rome on October 29, 2024, and live streamed on YouTube, the paper highlighted GEM’s significant impact on global disaster risk reduction efforts. “The INGV’s milestone year provided a platform to reflect on GEM’s contributions over the past 15 years and share our vision for the future,” said Helen, whilst reflecting on her presentation. “As the challenges of seismic risk grow more complex, GEM remains committed to building resilience through innovation, collaboration, and practical solutions.” Past, Present, and Future: The Paper’s Key Highlights The paper begins by revisiting GEM’s incorporation in 2009 as a global public-private partnership with the bold ambition of democratising seismic risk information. It reflects on how GEM’s collaborative framework brought together scientists, engineers, and policymakers from diverse backgrounds to develop the first truly global seismic hazard and risk models. These efforts culminated in the first release of the Global Seismic Hazard and Risk Maps in 2018, a landmark achievement that remains a reference for risk managers worldwide. At present, GEM’s work has evolved to address emerging challenges. Initiatives such as the Global Seismic Hazard Mosaic and regional collaborations including those with the USGS and INGV demonstrate GEM’s commitment to enhancing hazard models and extending coverage to underserved regions. On the risk front, GEM’s Global Seismic Risk Model provides critical insights into the potential impacts of earthquakes, helping decision-makers prioritise mitigation efforts and allocate resources effectively. Equally significant is the organisation’s focus on developing tools that are both scientifically robust and accessible to stakeholders, exemplified by the OpenQuake engine, which supports applications ranging from earthquake scenarios to risk-informed policymaking. Looking ahead, the paper outlines an ambitious vision guided by three core strategic objectives for the next five years. First, GEM is committed to enhancing and expanding its Global Seismic Hazard and Risk Models to address new and emerging challenges, ensuring they remain a vital resource for policymakers and engineers worldwide. Second, strengthening partnerships with diverse stakeholders - government agencies, academic institutions, and private organisations - remains central to promoting disaster risk reduction and integrating seismic risk into broader climate resilience efforts. Finally, GEM emphasises the development of educational resources and training programs tailored to the needs of high-risk, low-resource regions, empowering communities and decision-makers with the knowledge and tools to reduce seismic risk. The organisation also plans to leverage advances in technology, such as AI, to refine hazard and risk assessments further. An invitation to Join the Effort GEM’s participation in the INGV anniversary underscores the power of partnerships in advancing seismic resilience. The event provided a unique opportunity to highlight how GEM’s work complements the efforts of public sector institutions managing disaster risk. For disaster risk managers and policymakers, the paper serves as an invitation to collaborate and get to know how GEM’s data, tools, and expertise are designed to support evidence-based decision-making, from local earthquake preparedness measures to national seismic risk assessments. The full paper can be accessed here , and the presentation is available on YouTube . Visit or contact us at www.globalquakemodel.org/get-involved or email us at info@globalquakemodel.org if you are interested in understanding GEM’s Global Seismic Hazard and Risk Models, learning about regional applications, or exploring tools like the OpenQuake engine, we can provide a session designed to fit your context. Presentations can be conducted virtually via Zoom or, resources permitting, through an in-person visit. No images found. GALLERY 1/0 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News GEM’s Global Mosaic of Earthquake Models - challenges and approaches in creating globally consistent earthquake hazard and risk models By: Mar 16, 2022 Share Facebook LinkedIn On March 9, 2022, Marco Pagani and Anirudh Rao discussed GEM's approach in overcoming the top challenges in creating globally consistent earthquake hazard and risk models. The event, organized by EigenRisk, was part of the GEM-EigenRisk partnership to promote and distribute GEM’s global earthquake hazard products. On the hazard side, Marco discussed the challenges in creating a comprehensive map of seismic hazard by combining probabilistic seismic hazard models of many different nations and regions of the world. When GEM works on building a model for a certain region, we make sure to first get in touch with the community leaders. We try to engage them into those projects because we recognize the importance of working with local experts.” - Marco Pagani, GEM Hazard Coordinator on collaboration and openness in modeling earthquake hazards. On the risk side, Anirudh explained that the development of the global exposure model and building classification involved hundreds of people around the world, reaching out to communities through dozens of meetings and forming working groups. He also discussed the development of the global suite of vulnerability functions. He added that GEM visited different places, held workshops on earthquake risk assessment and solicited critical feedback from local experts. As a result, GEM was able to identify many areas for improvement in the risk models which, he said, would not have been possible without the deep engagement of local expertise and stakeholders. Both Marco and Anirudh expressed that community effort at various levels – an approach that GEM has embraced since its foundation in 2009 – was key in overcoming both scientific and organizational challenges in creating the global mosaic. Through sharing of scientific knowledge, material and human resources, GEM was able to produce the first globally consistent earthquake hazard and risk model in 2018. GEM’s open source software, OpenQuake Engine, was used to develop and translate all of the data and models into a consistent framework, resulting in hazard and risk maps that are now accessible to inform a wide range of risk management decisions, including risk rating, insurance underwriting, exposure modelling, catastrophe bonds/parametric risk financing, and seismic regulations. The webinar was participated in by more than 80 participants from several countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe. For more information about Eigenrisk and EigenPrism, visit www.eigenrisk.com . No images found. GALLERY 1/0 Gallery VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News GEM: Applicability to the insurance industry and collaboration with Oasis By: Jul 12, 2018 Share Facebook LinkedIn Close to 100 participants attended the Oasis Conference, hosted by the Swiss Re Institute and Swiss Re's Cat Perils team on July 3, 2018 at the Swiss Re Next Auditorium, Zurich, Switzerland. The 1-day event aimed at sharing and demonstrating the suite of available models, options to deploy Oasis, and how Oasis technology is developing. The event also provided a venue for model providers to demonstrate their model availability to participants such as Ambiental, Cat Risk Solutions, Fathom, Impact Forecasting, JBA and Kat Risk GmbH. More importantly, the conference discussed key issues in model development, the need for transparency and the future of catastrophe risk modelling. Paul Henshaw, GEM Director of Technology and Development and one of the keynote speakers at the conference, presented initial findings and considerations in porting a proof-of-concept OpenQuake risk model to OASIS. He is leading GEM’s testing activities on this to better understand the effort and requirements involved. “I believe that OASIS and GEM approaches and offerings are complementary. While this project is still at an early stage, I think our continued collaboration could open interesting possibilities such as the development of open and transparent software and models with support for multi-peril loss estimation and financial module,” Paul remarked after sharing his initial experience on GEM’s model implementation on OASIS loss modeling framework. Paul also presented the progress of GEM’s global earthquake hazard and risk model (GRM2018). In his presentation, he discussed the open source tools used for hazard and risk analysis and highlighted how GEM’s collaborative regional and national projects around the world contributed to the ongoing development of GRM2018. The GRM2018 is scheduled to be released on 5th December this year in Pavia, Italy. About OASIS LMF Oasis Loss Modelling Framework provides an open source modelling platform that eases the exchange of catastrophe models. Among other things, this allows the insurance industry to access models from new model providers, which increases the diversity of models and risk views. No images found. GALLERY 1/0 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS