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- HORUS | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects HORUS Horus: Pilot for a generic damage evaluation methodology based on remote-sensing data Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background Horus is a pilot project that explores the combination of high-resolution building inventory data from OpenStreetMap and other local sources with image-processing algorithms for the detection of earthquake damage and flood extents using remote-sensing data, along with supplementary geospatial datasets as inputs to a machine learning (ML) classification model. The ML model is trained using detailed building damage datasets from past events in a supervised learning framework, and the trained model is intended to be used to estimate the extent of damage and loss in events previously unseen by the model. The proposed framework is applied in three case study applications: March 2020 Mw5.3 Zagreb earthquake; January 2020 Mw6.4 Puerto Rico earthquake and August 2016 Louisiana floods. The GEM Risk Team is responsible for the overall coordination of the project involving multiple partners, compilation of building-level earthquake damage datasets, development of the ML models, and training and testing of the models. Duration: 2020 Objectives This pilot project, initiated and funded by the World Bank, aims to develop a framework for semi-automated damage and loss assessment due to earthquake and floods from Earth Observation (EO) data and other supplementary datasets, while also leveraging recent advances in machine-learning algorithms. These damage and loss estimates can potentially be used for transparent financial compensation and to target the distribution of resources geographically and temporally. Collaborators Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, JBA Risk, and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) Funding partner: World Bank Group Locations Earthquake case studies: Gorkha, Nepal; Puebla, Mexico; Puerto Rico, United States; Zagreb, Croatia Flood case study: Louisiana, United States Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- EPOS ON | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects EPOS ON European Plate Observing System-Optimisation and EvolutioN (EPOS ON) Project Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Background Anchor 6 Background The European Plate Observing System-Optimisation and EvolutioN (EPOS ON) project, a collaborative initiative involving a consortium of 34 partners across 18 countries aims to support the optimisation and evolution of the EPOS Research Infrastructure (EPOS RI) by enhancing the interoperability, accessibility, and integration of various datasets for effective risk management and resilience against natural hazards. The project is led and coordinated by EPOS ERIC with funding support from the European Union (EU) under the Horizon Europe program, and will be implemented across various geographic locations within Europe and may extend its partnerships to other regions globally. Duration: September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024 More details: https://www.epos-eu.org/on . Expected Key Outputs GEM work packages (WP) include scientific products that support risk management: WP3 Contribution to Tackle Societal Challenges - Enhancement of existing EPOS services for improved risk management for natural hazards, supported by dialogue with the EU Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network (UCPKN). Data products and services for rapid post-event assessment: this includes the improvement of existing tools (e.g., European ShakeMap service) for rapid post-event assessment of earthquake impacts and associated secondary hazards (e.g. liquefaction), tools to predict population dynamics in the immediate aftermath of a disaster, and databases of damage-dependent seismic vulnerability models for European buildings. WP5 Enlarging European and International Collaborations - Establishment of collaborative partnerships with relevant research infrastructures to promote synergies and expand global access to EPOS services and data. Support for the expansion of the existing European seismic risk services to include maps representing the environmental impact associated with earthquakes in terms of equivalent carbon dioxide (eCO2) emissions arising from damage and subsequent repair activities. Collaborators EPOS ON includes 34 partners from 18 countries, which represent not only research and academy, but also private sector companies and new communities. Funding partner: EPOS ON is funded by the EC Horizon Europe programme under G.A. n 101131592 Location Europe Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- TURKEY DRR | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects TURKEY DRR Seismic risk and exposure data for Turkey Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The World Bank is developing a thematic Paper on Building Climate and Disaster Resilience in Turkey that will apply a new World Bank Guidance Note on how to prepare resilience and adaptation strategies. The Guidance Note provides a practical guide for designing national strategies for climate change adaptation and resilience. It specifies actions that reflect universal principles of effective climate change adaptation and disaster resilience, emphasizing that each country needs to tailor the relative importance and sequencing of these actions to its specific needs and priorities. Given the best practice of mitigating natural hazards for a more resilient future, and the high risk of catastrophic earthquakes, the adaptation paper needs to consider seismic risk in Turkey. To contribute to the seismic risk component of this adaptation paper, the GEM Risk Team is responsible for the following tasks: - Assessment of earthquake ground shaking hazard in Turkey - Definition of the exposure: residential, commercial and industrial buildings; education and healthcare facilities; population - Assessment of vulnerability/fragility for the exposed elements - Risk modelling based on the current exposure - Risk projections to 2030 and 2050 (based on future socio-economic conditions) Duration: 2021 Objectives The World Bank thematic Paper on Building Climate and Disaster Resilience in Turkey aims to support the Turkish government by providing guidance on how to prepare resilience and adaptation strategies, including those related to earthquakes. The objectives of this project are to: 1. Provide deterministic and probabilistic seismic risk metrics in Turkey for population and selected structure types, to inform macro-economic and public finance analysis (conducted by the World Bank project team). 2. Provide seismic impact analysis for three earthquake scenarios aimed at reducing risk in Turkey to estimate the impact of these interventions on i) loss due to direct damage and ii) fatalities. Collaborators GEM Foundation Funding partner: World Bank Group Location Turkey Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- BEYOND BUTTON PUSHING | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects BEYOND BUTTON PUSHING Earthquake Risk Assessment and Sensitivity Analysis for California Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The goal of the project was to show how important the quantification of uncertainty is in estimating and understanding California’s earthquake risk using OpenQuake - GEM Foundation’s state-of-the-art open source earthquake hazard and risk assessment software. With OpenQuake’s plug-and-play capabilities, expert users can individually select or substitute every model component, data, and assumption. This feature will help model users and decision makers to: 1) ‘ask the right questions’ when evaluating model results; 2) better interpret risk assessment results and gain trust in model results; and 3) make better risk management decisions. Duration: 2015-2017 Objectives The main objectives of this project are to: Establish representative sets of exposure: ‣ for the San Francisco Bay Area; ‣ for the Southern California region affected by the Shakeout Scenario Choose specific results (risk metrics) to use as a basis for comparison. Produce ‘baseline’ results from OpenQuake, using a ‘control’ set of assumptions. Undertake a thorough sensitivity analysis for the risk estimates for California based on the UCERF3 model by running OpenQuake multiple times, each time varying one assumption or parameter, such as: ‣ earthquake probabilities (controlled by assumptions about fault geometries, slip rates, maximum magnitudes); ‣ ground motion model selection; ‣ vulnerability functions; ‣ site conditions; and ‣ statistical treatment of uncertainty and correlation Beyond the aims stated at the outset of the project as listed above, several additional objectives were achieved during the course of the project, including the following: Implement within OpenQuake the latest seismic hazard model for California based on the recently published Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast version 3 (UCERF3), produced by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities. Calculate the average annual loss estimates for all 8,057 census tracts in California, using the seismic hazard model based on UCERF3. Establish the range (distribution) of scientifically viable results for the chosen risk metrics by accounting for the various uncertainties in the hazard model. Identify the components of the hazard model contributing most to the overall uncertainty in the risk metrics for the different exposure portfolios. Implement a model simplification (‘logic-tree trimming’) software tool to reduce the number of computer runs and greatly speed up the time required for running the risk model for California. Collaborators GEM Foundation Funding partner: Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission (SSC) Location California, United States Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- SARA Project | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects SARA Project South American Risk Assessment (SARA) Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Outcomes Training Outreach Photos Publications Anchor 6 Overview South America incorporates some of the most seismically active regions on the planet, where the South American subduction zone generates the forces to create the Andes Mountains and drives the occurrence of destructive earthquakes across Chile, western Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. In turn, the high vulnerability of many structures and the high population density of the main cities are factors that contribute to the region’s high seismic risk. In the last two decades alone, over 3,000 fatalities have been reported, and the economic losses have exceeded 30 billion USD (EM-DAT, www.emdat.be ). While expert capabilities exist in these countries to assess earthquake risk, the information, infrastructure, tools, and collaboration networks necessary to develop comprehensive knowledge among scientists and engineers and to move this knowledge into the mainstream of disaster risk reduction activities has been lacking. Objectives The approach is to bring together international best practice tools and methodologies with local expertise and knowledge needed to establish local ownership and define risk assessment objectives and priorities. GEM Foundation combined these elements and focused on developing local capacities across sectors (academic, public and private), across technical disciplines (e.g., hazard, risk, IT), and through the implementation of disaster risk reduction policies and programs. The program of capacity development was initiated in 2013 with the South America Risk Assessment (SARA) Project to bring experts, institutions, and stakeholders from 7 countries to develop a regional assessment of earthquake hazard and risk. GEM provided its OpenQuake earthquake hazard and risk analysis software and other tools and databases freely and openly to all participants. More than 50 of the region’s experts across 17 institutions collaborated to produce critical data sets, develop common approaches, and develop open-source tools for both data collection and interpretation. Collaborators The SARA Project, completed in December 2015, provided the foundation for formal and informal collaborations at many levels and for many purposes. GEM subsequently developed formal partnerships across public and private sectors (e.g., SuraAmerica Insurance, the Geological Survey of Colombia, EcoPetrol), academic partnerships (e.g., EAFIT Univ, Univ del Norte, Univ Catolica Chile), non-profits (e.g., OSSO), and most recently, with municipal governments (Cali, Colombia and Quito, Ecuador), for urban risk assessments. (complete list ) Location Andean Region (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina) Introduction The project was carried out by experts and institutions from the region using to the extent possible open data sets, methodologies and tools such as GEM’s new open source software, the OpenQuake Engine and other OpenQuake tools. The project revolved around 5 modules: hazard, exposure and physical vulnerability, socio-economic vulnerability and resilience, loss estimates and city scenarios. The modules were carried out by a variety of experts/scientists from the region , in collaboration with the project coordinators and, where relevant, the GEM Secretariat. 1. Seismic hazard In early 2013 the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) published seven Requests for Proposal covering topics related to the compilation of basic datasets as well as the creation and calculation of an updated probabilistic seismic hazard input model for South America. Five consortia of South American researchers responded to this request and submitted proposals, which were reviewed in an initial stage by scientists working at the GEM Secretariat, and successively discussed in a meeting in Bogota held in December 2013 at the “Servicio Geologico Colombiano”. 2. Exposure and Physical Vulnerability Development of exposure datasets and vulnerability functions for South America at regional, national and/or sub-national levels have been considered. Modelling of exposure and physical vulnerability in the most earthquake prone countries is the main goal in the first stage of the project. 3. Social Vulnerability and Resilience The social vulnerability component of SARA comprises the development of composite indicators of social vulnerability and resilience along with their robustness testing and validation. The objective is to provide tools and information useful for understanding the potential effects of earthquakes in communities of South America. 4. National and subnational estimation of losses An open and transparent seismic risk assessment for the Andean countries has been performed. A probabilistic approach was followed for the calculation of risk metrics, that includes average annual economic and human loss maps, mean loss exceedance curves per country, and statistics that reveal which building classes are most vulnerable to earthquakes. 5. City Scenarios Following the objectives of SARA, the development of city scenarios is crucial for planning risk management strategies in cities with larger concentration of population and exposed to significant hazard. In this sense, the GEM Secretariat has been seeking collaborations with research groups and governmental stakeholders that will be the end users of case studies in Lima (Peru), Quito (Ecuador), Medellín (Colombia), Iquique, Osorno and Rancagua (Chile). Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Capacity development and institutional strengthening To promote sustainability, SARA’s work included the following: capacity development and institutional strengthening, and stakeholder engagement. The outcomes of activities in these areas are described below. Anchor 4 A blog by Carlos Costa featuring the SARA project workshop in Chile 2014. [News ] A wiki project website containing technical information about the SARA project. [Website ] Anchor3 BUSINESS NEWS Quito workshops 2015 1/3 BUSINESS NEWS Lima workshops 2015 1/2 Publications SARA Project Executive Summary [PDF ] Probabilistic Seismic Risk Assessment Of The Residential Building Stock In South America [PDF ] A conference paper on Building A Ground-Motion Logic Tree For South America Within The Gem-Sara Project Framework [PDF ] SARA (South America Risk Assessment Project Workshop) on “Inventory of Quaternary deformation of South America” [PDF ]
- INDONESIA DRR | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects INDONESIA DRR Seismic Resilience Baseline Analysis and Investment Option Needs in Indonesia Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background This project, funded by the World Bank's GFDRR, aims to conduct a seismic baseline analysis to support the development of a potential national seismic risk mitigation program in Indonesia. The study focuses on public assets, which include education facilities (primary and secondary schools, universities), health facilities (health clinics, hospitals), commercial facilities (shophouse), emergency services facilities (e.g., ambulance stations, fire stations, early warning service providers), and critical government administration buildings (e.g., local disaster management offices). The project has five main tasks: 1. Inception: literature review on seismic risk in Indonesia, methodology, definition of stakeholder/consultation workshops, preliminary data collection 2. Baseline analysis of Indonesia’s exposure and vulnerabilities to seismic hazards (earthquakes and tsunami) 3. Seismic Risk Assessment and Rapid Prioritization of Potential Investments in Three Selected Districts 4. Development of Baseline Data and Conceptual Framework Design 5. Final Report and Completion Report The GEM Risk Team contributes to all tasks, ranging from support on hazard modelling, development of exposure, selection of vulnerbaility models and the computation of seismic risk using the OpenQuake engine. Duration: 2022-2023 Objectives The methodology, workplan, programme and potential target cities is elaborated together with the World Bank and Indonesian Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH) stakeholders and other relevant agencies such as Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB), Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics (BMKG). The objectives include: (a) a rapid baseline analysis of the exposure and vulnerability of the country and three Indonesian districts to earthquakes and tsunami, baseline information/data, and gap analysis, including disaggregated analysis of risk and vulnerability of women and other vulnerable groups; (b) a conceptual framework for improving seismic resilience and recommendations for a national program that aims to reduce the vulnerability of people (with consideration for diverse groups) and assets to earthquakes and tsunami through an integrated package of structural and non-structural investments; and (c) stakeholder consultations to seek inputs on the potential program design, investment funding mechanisms, and institutional set-up options for the national program. Collaborators GEM Foundation, Arup, LAPI-ITB and Kota Kita Funding partner: World Bank GFDRR Locations Three cities in Indonesia: ‣ Kota Bengkulu, Bengkulu province ‣ Kota Cilegon, Banten province ‣ Kota Gorontalo, Gorontalo province Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- CAREC Phase II | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects CAREC Phase II CAREC Phase II: Developing a Disaster and Climate Risk Transfer Facility in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Updates Anchor 6 Overview This project builds upon the modelling and analytical work conducted under TA-9878 ( https://www.globalquakemodel.org/proj/carec ) and involves the preparation and implementation of a pilot disaster relief bond (DRB) that will be issued by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for two countries, namely, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. The pilot DRB will complement existing climate and disaster risk financing tools and will be structured to encourage the adoption of risk-reduction and climate-adaptation actions. It will also direct relief assistance to the most vulnerable groups, including women and small and medium-sized enterprises, through pre-agreed response plans developed with the pilot countries. GEM's contribution to the project includes: Build upon the work conducted under TA-9878, review modeling to ensure that it is up-to-date and aligned with the pilot countries’ and investors’ expectations Update exposure data for the two pilot countries based on updated housing and socio-economic data Update seismic hazard and risk modelling for the two pilot countries to serve as the basis for the DRB structuring and placement Undertake historical events analysis for the two pilot countries, considering all potentially damaging events since 1907 Provide earthquake model outputs required to determine the trigger form, level of coverage, and size and positioning of the DRB (when the policy attaches, detaches and how much it pays), in close consultation with WTW, Munich Re, Verisk, ADB, and the pilot countries Update the earthquake data underlying the user-friendly graphic interface developed in the previous CAREC project for the two pilot countries, to help illustrate modeling results and cost-benefits of the risk transfer options as well as disaster risk reduction measures, allowing capacity building, facilitating consultation workshops and supporting the decision process Support the preparation of knowledge products on earthquake risk modeling and financing Duration: 2025-2026 Objectives Key objectives involved: Review existing risk modelling for earthquakes in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, and update and perform more detailed and granular risk modeling, as required; Conduct dynamic risk analysis to estimate capital requirements, reinsurance options, and the impacts of various historical or possible future scenarios on the facility’s operations; Support capacity building workshops to enhance countries’ understanding of disaster risk, including insurance solutions, and the process required for making informed disaster risk financing decisions; and Provide modeling outputs through a transparent and user-friendly interface/tool to inform the terms and design of the facility’s initial product offering, ensuring that is both relevant to the countries and financially sustainable over the longer term. Collaborators Collaborators: Willis Towers Watson (WTW), GEM Foundation, Munich Re, Verisk Funding partner: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Location Kyrgyz Republic Tajikistan Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Project Data Sheet Asian Development Bank (ADB) project materials - overview, project details, documents. New ADB Program to Help Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan Respond to Disasters The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $56.4 million program to help the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan boost their capacity to respond to disasters. Both countries are vulnerable to disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, but lack the fiscal capacity and risk transfer mechanisms to effectively respond to hazards. The Risk-Layered Disaster Relief Finance Program will enhance their financial preparedness through a combination of two pre-arranged ADB financing instruments targeting different layers of disaster risks. Anchor3 Publications
- ALBANIA HAZARD MODELLING | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects ALBANIA HAZARD MODELLING Joint development of the Albanian seismic hazard model Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Outcomes Training Outreach Photos Publications Anchor 6 Background GEM and IGEO-Albania are currently implementing a 1-year project funded by the European Investment Fund and supported by the Electrical Corporation of Albania to update Albania’s probabilistic seismic hazard model through a series of technical workshops. The GEM Hazard Team is providing support on the use of its open source tools for hazard model building and assessment. Duration: 2023 Objectives The main objectives of this project are to update the national seismic hazard model for Albania, and provide the outputs that can be used in the National Annex of Eurocode 8, for the seismic design of buildings in Albania. Collaborators GEM Foundation, Institute of Geosciences (IGEO) Funding Partner: European Investment Fund, Electrical Corporation of Albania Location Albania Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Strengthening Albania's Earthquake Preparedness: A Collaborative Effort This project, funded by the Central European Initiative and supported by the Albanian Electricity Corporation, has two objectives. It aims to modernize Albania's seismic hazard map, a crucial step in updating the nation's building code to meet Eurocode 8 standards. This marks the first significant revision to Albania's building regulations since 1989. A more updated view of seismic hazard will help in promoting more cost-effective earthquake-resistant construction practices. Read more Albania’s Institute of Geosciences (IGEO) and GEM collaborate to update the national seismic hazard model GEM and IGEO-Albania implemented a 1-year project funded by the Central European Initiative (CEI - https://www.cei.int/) and the Albanian Electricity Corporation (KESH - https://www.kesh.al/en/) to update Albania's probabilistic seismic hazard model through a series of technical workshops. Read more Anchor3 BUSINESS NEWS NSHMA 2024 Presentation, Tirana, Albania - July 16, 2024 Photo credits: IGEO 1/3 BUSINESS NEWS GEM - IGEO Albania Workshop, Pavia 2023 1/4 Publications
- ARMENIA PSHA MODELLING | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects ARMENIA PSHA MODELLING Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment for the Republic of Armenia Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background This project responds to a World Bank request for a probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for the Republic of Armenia. The goal of this study is to better understand the existing seismic hazard information in the country, and to provide an updated hazard model. The GEM Hazard Team supports all aspects of the model development, and in the running of the analyses with the OpenQuake engine. Duration: 2017 Objectives Probabilistic seismic hazard models, such as this model for the Republic of Armenia, can be used as a rigorous and robust basis for the design of a national disaster risk financing and insurance strategy. Collaborators Verisk (AIR Worldwide), GEM Foundation, Georisk Scientific Research Company Funding partner: World Bank Group Location Armenia Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- CAREC | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects CAREC Developing a Disaster Risk Transfer Facility in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Outreach Anchor 6 Background Willis Towers Watson, a GEM Advisor Sponsor is leading the consortium of organizations to implement the project, “Developing a Disaster Risk Transfer Facility in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region” supported by the Asian Development Bank. The GEM Risk Team is responsible for the exposure and seismic vulnerability components of the project, with the Hazard Team providing support in the preparation of risk profiles for countries in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Region. Objectives The project has three main components: (i) development of disaster risk assessments and modeling in all CAREC countries; (ii) design of a regional pilot disaster risk transfer facility for at least three CAREC countries; and (iii) capacity building and awareness raising activities to sensitize key public and private stakeholders in all CAREC countries about the benefits of disaster risk reduction, risk retention and risk transfer solutions. Willis Towers Watson, a GEM Advisor Sponsor is leading the consortium of organizations that will implement the project. The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation, or CAREC Program is a partnership of 11 countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), supported by 6 multilateral institutions, working together to promote development through cooperation, leading to accelerated growth and poverty reduction. Location Central Asia Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 About the CAREC program Read more GEM has started a new project with WTW supported by the Asian Development Bank Read more ADB project overview and data sheet Read more Anchor3 Publications
























