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- WESTERN BALKANS CCDR | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects WESTERN BALKANS CCDR Input to World Banks' Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) for Western Balkans Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background As part of the World Bank Groups' Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDRs), the GEM Foundation and JBA Risk Management are working together to provide current (2021) and future (2050) earthquake and flood risk assessment for 6 West Balkans countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The GEM Risk Team is providing the exposure database (property and population data) for both the flood and seismic risk assessment for six Western Balkan countries at the lowest administrative level, using both existing datasets for 2021 and socio-economic projections for forecasted exposure to 2050. Seismic hazard and risk assessment for the current and future exposure is also being undertaken with the OpenQuake engine, leading to average annual losses and losses for specific return periods for each country. Duration: 2023 Objectives The World Bank is preparing the Country Climate and Development Report for the Western Balkans. The CCDR aims to inform policy dialogue and engagement with governments. This provides an opportunity to carry out several analytical pieces, including in the area of Disaster Risk Management, bringing together existing knowledge on the economic and social impacts of disasters and climate change, and delivering new analytical insights to support policy recommendations. Collaborators JBA Risk Management, GEM Foundation Funding partner: World Bank Group Locations Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- MYANMAR RISK MODELLING | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects MYANMAR RISK MODELLING Development of an Earthquake Risk Model for Myanmar. GEM contribution to ADB TA 9307-MYA: Strengthening Climate and Disaster Resilience of Myanmar Communities Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The Government of Myanmar has identified in its disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) related policy frameworks the increasing suffering of the population from disasters, and the need for support in strengthening resilience to extreme weather events. Accordingly, since 2015, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has supported the Government of Myanmar develop a National Framework for Community Disaster Resilience, which identifies potential opportunities for strengthening resilience of communities through investments in key sectors and themes of development, such as, agriculture, rural development, and financial inclusion, among others. The proposed technical assistance (TA) project responds to the request from the Government of Myanmar to support its implementation of the National Framework for Community Disaster Resilience. As part of this project, the ADB contracted the GEM Foundation to provide updated seismic hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and seismic risk information for Myanmar, with risk information presented at the third administrative level. Objective The main objective of this project was to develop, in collaboration with experts from the Myanmar Earthquake Committee, updated exposure, vulnerability, and seismic risk information for Myanmar, with risk information presented at the third administrative level. Collaborators GEM Foundation, Myanmar Earthquake Committee (MEC) Funding partner: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Location Myanmar Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- FORCE | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects FORCE Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE) Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Profile Outcomes Training Schedule Outreach Photos Publications Anchor 6 Overview This project, supported by USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), aims to enhance earthquake hazard modeling capabilities in small communities, as well as to provide better risk models to account for changes in the number of occupants, structures and economic value exposed to earthquakes and the adverse effects of climate change. The project will evaluate future earthquake risk losses, thus supporting decision makers with risk metrics that account for the expected evolution of the built environment, which are fundamental for the design and implementation of long-term risk reduction measures. Objectives The project aims to strengthen the capacities and understanding to manage and respond to future earthquake risk by: introducing future growth or change into national and global exposure models to enable the quantification of future disaster losses, including those associated with climate change; developing communication and dissemination tools to maximize the uptake of disaster risk information in policy making bodies; and improving the reliability of earthquake hazard and risk assessment, in particular in regions that lack information. To achieve the above, the project will implement five components below: Predicting the evolution of the built environment and population Forecasting future disaster risk due to earthquakes Incorporating infrastructure in exposure modeling for risk assessment Modeling earthquake hazard and risk for small communities Advancing communication and dissemination of risk information Collaborators Funding partner: USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) El Salvador: Science partner: University of El Salvador (contact Manual Menjivar, associate Professor). Government partner: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales, MARN (contacts Douglas Antonio Hernández, Geology Area Coordinator, and Luis Mixco, seismologist). Nepal: Science partner: National Society for Earthquake Technology, NSET (contact Surya Narayan Shrestha, Executive Director). Government partner: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). Bhutan: Science partner: College of Science and Technology-Royal University of Bhutan (contact Chimi Wangmo, Head of Department, Civil Engineering DepartmentCheki Dorji). Pacific partners: Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC), Geoscience, Energy and Maritime Division (contact Litea Biukoto, Geohazards Risk Management Leader) Indian Ocean partner: The Indian Ocean Commission IOC, (contact Gina Bonne, Director) Government partners: Member states and territories of the SPC and IOC through their representatives. Additionally, collaboration is expected from GEM partners Geoscience Australia (GA) and Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS), New Zealand, considering their active role in the region. Location Bhutan, El Salvador, Nepal, and small communities in oceans Seismic Risk Forecasting for a Safer El Salvador The FORCE project assesses El Salvador’s seismic risk today and projects future impacts over the next 30 years under two scenarios: continuing current construction practices or fully adopting modern seismic codes. The findings highlight the urgent need for stronger building regulations to reduce economic and human losses. View summary of results | Download 1. Historical Earthquakes and Their Destructive Potential El Salvador has experienced numerous significant earthquakes, each shaping the country’s approach to disaster preparedness. This dashboard provides a comprehensive analysis of historical seismic events, highlighting their destructive potential and reinforcing the need for proactive risk management to reduce future impacts. Eventos_históricos_potencial_destructivo_Dashboard_Luis_Mixco_PPT View details | Download 2. Seismic Codes and Future Risk Scenarios What role do building regulations play in disaster risk reduction? This study examines the impact of seismic codes on El Salvador’s future risk landscape. By comparing scenarios with and without strengthened regulations, the findings emphasize how improved construction practices can significantly reduce losses and enhance community resilience. Codigo-Riesgo_Futuro View details | Download 3. Forecasting Seismic Risk in El Salvador How will seismic risk evolve in the next 30 years? This risk forecast presents two possible futures - one where risk remains high due to unregulated construction and another where proactive policies and seismic codes reduce vulnerabilities. The results underscore the importance of long-term planning for disaster resilience. Pronostico_Riesgo View details | Download Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Online and Onsite Training Workshops This part of the program is designed to improve the understanding and awareness of earthquake hazards and risks and to help bridge the gap between the information produced in the project sites and its communication to a wide variety of stakeholders through online and onsite training workshops. Under the FORCE project, Spring and Autumn OpenQuake training courses will be offered. Please check back regularly for the latest training activities. Modules covered by the OpenQuake Online Training Courses The online training Modules 2-4, discuss how to explore and prepare the required input files for earthquake scenarios, PSHA (such as hazard maps for different return periods, hazard curves, and uniform hazard spectra), and event-based risk analysis in the OpenQuake-engine, how to run an example and visualise the results. Module 1 OQ Introduction is a self-learning module available at training.openquake.org . OpenQuake Online Training Language: Spanish Upcoming session dates Module II (part 1) February 6, 2024 Module II (part 2) February 20, 2024 Module III February 13, 2024 Module IV February 27, 2024 ----- OpenQuake Training: an online course for beginners Language: English Completed session dates March 20, 2023 March 27, 2023 April 17, 2023 April 24, 2023 ----- Anchor 4 Advancing communication and dissemination of risk information The activities in this component are focused on raising awareness of the public on earthquake hazard and risk by training a diverse group of disaster risk reduction (DRR) professionals together with personnel in charge of communicating risk to the public, and by conducting community-based workshops in the pilot countries. Luis Mixco and GEM’s Cata Yepes Featured on El Salvador’s National News El Salvador’s Ministry of Environment has launched a new tool designed to quickly estimate earthquake damage, enabling a faster response to affected communities. Watch as Luis Mixco, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of El Salvador, and GEM’s Cata Yepes discuss this important development in a national news segment. https://youtu.be/MfGn347363c?si=WrpbeeVkjsVFrnZ3 Strengthening Pacific Resilience: Highlights from the Workshop GEM concluded a successful two-day training workshop in Suva, Fiji, as part of the FORCE project. Held on November 18-19, the workshop focused on understanding earthquake hazard and risk in the Southwest Pacific - a region highly vulnerable to seismic activity. Facilitated by GEM’s Catalina Yepes Estrada, Exposure Development Lead, and Kendra Johnson, Senior Seismic Hazard Scientist, the training brought together local stakeholders and experts to explore practical approaches to earthquake risk assessment and disaster preparedness. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises using GEM’s OpenQuake engine, explored probabilistic seismic hazard and risk analysis, and discussed ways to improve resilience through better data and modeling. A key takeaway was the importance of tailoring risk models to local needs, with opportunities for participants to share insights on addressing data and resource challenges unique to the Pacific region. The workshop was held alongside the STAR Conference, where GEM also presented on leveraging hazard and risk models for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. A big thank you to all participants for their active engagement and to our partners - the Mineral Resources Department (MRD) in Fiji, the Pacific Community (SPC), UNESCO, and the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, GEM's funding partner for the FORCE project - for their collaboration in making this event possible. These shared efforts are crucial as we work toward a safer and more resilient future for communities in the Pacific. Read more PSHA for the Oceans Webinar In this webinar, we explored the key features of the Global Seismic Hazard Mosaic and the PAC model, with a special focus on the ocean models in the Southwest Pacific. We presented GEM’s approach to building PSHA models that span vast regions, even in data-scarce areas. Additionally, we highlighted seismic hazard trends across the region, including insights for key population centers. The recording and presentation are now available and can be accessed here: https://www.globalquakemodel.org/gemevents/psha-oceans-force-project Read more FORCE project: Groundwork activities gain strong support from local and national stakeholders in Nepal GEM’s USAID-supported Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE) project kicked off in Kathmandu, Nepal from February 20th to 24th by meeting local and national partners involved in disaster risk reduction activities in the country. A half-day introductory workshop for key project stakeholders on February 24th capped the groundwork activities. (report with detailed information ) Read more Strengthening Bhutan's Resilience: GEM's Collaborative Efforts in Seismic Risk Reduction Thimphu, Bhutan - March 15, 2024. The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation's USAID-supported project, Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE), recently concluded a successful week of activities in Bhutan (March 11-15, 2024). Led by GEM's Alejandro Calderon and Catarina Costa, the project focuses on strengthening local capacities and improving earthquake risk reduction in the country (report with detailed information ). Read more A Resilient Future: Embracing Innovation and Leveraging Local Expertise and Collaboration to Enhance Seismic Risk Reduction in El Salvador The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation's USAID-supported project, Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE), has been working to help strengthen local capacities and improve earthquake risk reduction in El Salvador. The project has conducted two visits to the country, bringing together government agencies, scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders to discuss seismic hazard assessment, risk analysis, and communication strategies (report with detailed information ). Read more - English | Spanish FORCE Project Update: Predicting Urban Growth and Population Evolution One critical component of this project involves predicting urban growth and population evolution. This involves analysing more than 20 potential drivers of urban development over several decades. These encompass factors such as demographic trends, economic metrics, and land-use patterns. The FORCE team is actively developing urban growth models utilising techniques like regression analysis and machine learning. Currently, these models are undergoing meticulous evaluation to ensure their ability to replicate observed increases in dwelling numbers and construction areas. Read more Earthquakes in El Salvador: What Do We Know and How Could They Affect Us in the Coming Years? GEM's FORCE project made notable developments in #ElSalvador last week. Various meetings and technical activities were conducted highlighted by a workshop that convened stakeholders to discuss the topic "#Earthquakes in El Salvador: What Do We Know and How Could They Affect Us in the Coming Years?" In collaboration with the USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), and national partners Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de El Salvador (MARN) and Dirección General de Protección Civil de El Salvador, this session marked a crucial step in advancing #seismic #risk #understanding and response capabilities. Thanks to all for the productive discussions and active participation! FORCE Project Updates: City Zonation workshops Our sessions with USAID focused on city zonation for #emergencyresponse in #Medellin, followed by a workshop communicating #seismic #risk to first responders in our ongoing collaboration with Universidad EAFIT, #SIATA - Sistema de Alerta Temprana del Valle de Aburrá, and #AMVA - Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá. These initiatives are fundamental in enhancing emergency preparedness efforts. #EmergencyPreparedness #SeismicRiskCommunication SATIC Event, OpenQuake Conference, Cali Risk Assessment and Community Awareness Workshops An event was held at the Banco de la República Auditorium in Cali, Colombia from November 21-25 to present seismic scenarios for Cali using Cali risk models; introduction of OpenQuake Tools; and training workshop for the use of the information repository and risk models, including awareness workshops for the community (local trainers, firefighters, civil defense). Read more Workshop on Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA), Risk Analysis, and the OpenQuakeEngine at FEPADE in El Salvador The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) of #ElSalvador and the GEM Foundation successfully concluded a workshop on Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (#PSHA), #Risk #Analysis, and the #OpenQuakeEngine at FEPADE in El Salvador, as part of the USAID - Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance-supported #FORCE #Project. This workshop substantially contributes to building local expertise in this crucial pilot project area, reinforcing El Salvador's #earthquake #resilience. We extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated #local #partners for their invaluable contributions, pivotal in ensuring the success of this event! Read more Online session on seismic hazard and risk assessment in the Pacific Our FORCE project team successfully concluded an online session on seismic hazard and risk assessment in the #Pacific. With participation from 15 attendees representing 7 countries, the session explored Session 1 - Seismic #hazard and #risk information available in the Global Mosaic. Attendees were informed of various #earthquake #hazard and #risk outputs within the GEM Foundation, such as hazard maps, hazard curves, uniform hazard spectra, #exposure models, #vulnerability and #fragility models, and risk metrics. Discussions also focused on what information is included in GEM’s Country Seismic Risk Profiles. These insights underscored the significance of #seismic #assessment in the region. Stay tuned for updates on future sessions! #FORCEProject #SeismicAssessment #GEMFoundation New GEM-USAID Project Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk (FORCE) launched On the heels of the successful completion of the TREQ project partnership this year, GEM and USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) are embarking on a new project called Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk or FORCE. The project aims to strengthen the capacities and understanding to manage and respond to future earthquake risk. Read more Anchor3 BUSINESS NEWS Workshop summarising the USAID-supported initiative in El Salvador led by GEM’s local partners, January 21-24, 2025 The activities focused on sharing and communicating the project's outcomes, including updated earthquake hazard and risk models, impact metrics, and capacity-building activities. GEM's Alejandro Calderon and Catalina Yepes-Estrada joined as participants to share insights on project outcomes, tools, and lessons learned with stakeholders. 1/4 BUSINESS NEWS Strengthening Pacific Resilience: Highlights from the Workshop - November 18-19, 2024, Suva, Fiji GEM concluded a successful two-day training workshop in Suva, Fiji, as part of the FORCE project. Held on November 18-19, the workshop focused on understanding earthquake hazard and risk in the Southwest Pacific - a region highly vulnerable to seismic activity. 1/2 BUSINESS NEWS Activities in Bhutan (March 11-15, 2024) A series of technical meetings and workshops on the FORCE project in Bhutan was held from the 11th to the 15th of March 2024. 1/3 BUSINESS NEWS El Salvador Stakeholder Workshop January 11, 2024 Earthquakes in El Salvador: What Do We Know and How Could They Affect Us in the Coming Years? 1/8 BUSINESS NEWS El Salvador Meetings January 9, 2024 Meetings with the Protección Civil de El Salvador. 1/3 BUSINESS NEWS Medellin Workshops December 2023 with AMVA Workshops on city zonation for #emergencyresponse in #Medellin , followed by a workshop communicating #seismic #risk to first responders in our ongoing collaboration with Universidad EAFIT , #SIATA - Sistema de Alerta Temprana del valle de Aburrá, and #AMVA - Área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá. 1/2 BUSINESS NEWS El Salvador November 2023 Workshop Introduction to Probabilistic Seismic Hazard (PSHA) and Risk Analysis and the OpenQuake Engine with MARN hosted by the Fundación Empresarial para el Desarrollo Educativo (FEPADE) November 6-10, 2023. 1/5 BUSINESS NEWS SATIC event in Cali, Colombia Nov 21-25, 2022 1/6 BUSINESS NEWS Kick-off meetings in Nepal The launch meetings of the FORCE project – Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk were held in the city of Kathmandu, Nepal, from 20th to 24th February 2023. 1/11 Publications Similar to the TREQ project, reports and publications relevant to each of the FORCE project components will be produced and published in due course. This page is dedicated to this purpose. Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Risk - Bhutan Technical Visits in Bhutan A series of technical meetings and workshops of the FORCE project – Forecasting and Communication Earthquake Risk – were held in Bhutan from the 11th to the 15th of March 2024. One-to-one meetings were organised with the main governmental departments involved in Disaster Risk Reduction activities in the country, along with a workshop held in Thimphu on 12th March 2024, that included an important group of stakeholders. Moreover, a presentation to students and college staff from the Royal University of Bhutan in Phuentsholing was held on the 14th of March 2024. Representatives of the GEM Foundation and the College of Science and Technology (CST) from the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) attended all meetings and were the coordinators of the visit activities in the country. Pronostico y Comunicacion de Riesgos por Terremotos Visitas técnicas en El Salvador EL proyecto FORCE: Pronóstico y comunicación de la amenaza y el riesgo de terremotos (Forecasting and Communicating Earthquake Hazard and Risk por sus siglas en inglés), realizó dos visitas a El Salvador con el objetivo de fortalecer las capacidades locales y la comunicación de los resultados de riesgo sísmico a las diferentes entidades que forman parte de la prevención, gestión y respuesta ante terremotos destructivos en el país. De la mano del Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (MARN) se realizaron talleres y reuniones con diferentes actores del sector público como Protección Civil, Ministerio de Obras Públicas, Fondo de Conservación Vial de El Salvador, Cuerpo de Bomberos, Ministerio de Educación, Instituto Salvadoreño del Seguro Social, Oficina de Planificación del Área Metropolitana de San Salvador (OPAMSS), entre otros. Kick-off meetings in Nepal FORCE Project The launch meetings of the FORCE project – Forecasting and Communication Earthquake Risk were held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 20th to 24th February 2023. Multiple one-to-one meetings were held with the main governmental departments involved in Disaster Risk Reduction activities, and a workshop with an important group of stakeholders was held on 24th February 2023. Representatives of the GEM Foundation and NSET attended all meetings and will be the coordinators of the project activities in the country. Disclaimer The contents of this project website such as studies, reports, audio-visual, news articles, blogs, and other information or media products including those in the external links are made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
- COMET GEM | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects COMET GEM COMET-GEM Central Asia Seismic Hazard Project Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background Since 2021, COMET and GEM have partnered to integrate the latest advancements in earthquake science into seismic hazard and risk modeling. The first phase of the collaboration (2020–2022) focused on building essential datasets, including an active fault database, a homogenized earthquake catalog, GNSS data, and a preliminary seismic hazard model for Central Asia. The ongoing second phase (2023–2025), supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK, expands on these efforts by incorporating time-dependent hazard modeling, earthquake clustering analysis, and geodetic data processing. By bridging scientific research with practical applications, the collaboration ensures that hazard models remain at the forefront of earthquake risk assessment, strengthening disaster preparedness efforts in Central Asia and beyond. Duration: Phase 1: 2021 -2023, Phase 2: 2023 - 2025 More details: https://comet.nerc.ac.uk/ Overall Objective The COMET-GEM collaboration aims to develop an advanced, publicly accessible seismic hazard and risk model for Central Asia, integrating cutting-edge scientific methods such as satellite geodesy, palaeoseismology, and geodetic data analysis. The goal is to provide local communities, researchers, and policymakers with robust hazard and risk assessments to inform disaster risk reduction strategies and enhance preparedness for future seismic events. Specific Objectives / Expected Outputs 1. Enhancing Seismic Hazard Models Refining fault databases, earthquake catalogs, and strain rate fields to improve hazard predictions. Incorporating time-dependent earthquake occurrence models and earthquake clustering analysis to improve forecasting. 2. Integrating Advanced Scientific Techniques Utilizing InSAR-based deformation data and GNSS datasets to quantify seismic strain accumulation across Central Asia. Developing high-resolution geodetic velocity fields for improved hazard modeling. 3. Supporting Disaster Risk Reduction Integrating hazard models into seismic risk assessments to estimate economic and human losses. Engaging local communities and stakeholders in seismic hazard model development. 4. Collaborative Research and Capacity Building Hosting workshops and training sessions to enhance regional expertise in seismic hazard assessment. Supporting research collaborations in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and beyond. Collaborators Project Coordination: COMET and GEM, with contributions from UK-based institutions Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation COMET (Centre for Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Tectonics) British Geological Survey (BGS) University of Oxford (geologic data compilation) University of Leeds (geodetic data processing) Various local and international research institutions Funding Partner: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK Locations Primary Focus Region: Central Asia Additional Areas of Study: South Caucasus, Türkiye, Mongolia Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- CRAVE | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects CRAVE Collaborative Risk Assessment for Volcanoes and Earthquakes (CRAVE) Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Outcomes Training Outreach Photos Publications Anchor 6 Summary The need to better understand the existing earthquake and volcano risk led to the establishment of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) and the Global Volcano Model (GVM) network. GEM, founded in Italy in 2009, has been developing open tools and models to calculate and communicate seismic hazard and risk worldwide. Similarly, the GVM network represents an international community aiming to provide systematic evidence, data and analysis of volcanic hazards and risk on national, regional and global scales working with monitoring institutions to implement the best science and DRR strategies. Both GEM and the GVM network are currently leading international efforts that aim to mitigate the adverse effects from these perils. South America and ASEAN regions have been the target of numerous studies in the last two decades. However, most of these studies only focused on one component of the risk problem (e.g. hazard, vulnerability). Such limitation prevents the development of a comprehensive risk profile to properly inform decision-makers. The CRAVE project, through the current GEM and GVM network tools will offer a timely and unique opportunity to advance the understanding of seismic and volcanic risk in the region. Objectives This project aims to develop a common framework for the assessment of the impact from earthquakes and volcanoes, with an application in three countries located around the Pacific Rim. The activities comprised in this project feature several events to bring together global partners with the mandate to calculate and communicate seismic and volcanic risk, as well as training events to increase the capacity of local institutions in the assessment of their hazard and risk. Collaborators This project includes several partners including the following: British Geological Survey; the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS); the University of Edinburgh; the Volcano Disaster Assistance Program (VDAP) of the United States Geological Survey (USGS); and key organizations from the region including: the Colombian Geological Survey; the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology;(PHIVOLCS); and Badan Geologi (Indonesia). Location Colombia, Indonesia and the Philippines Volcano Scenario tool for OpenQuake The CRAVE project required the implementation of a new calculator in the OpenQuake Engine called ‘multi_risk’, which is able to manage at the same time different types of hazards, specifically ash fall, pyroclastic density currents flow, lava flow and lahar flow, passed as CSV files with headers ‘lon’, ‘lat’, ‘intensity’. The calculator is also able to consider the difference between dry and wet ash by setting the `ash_wet_amplification_factor` parameter in the job.ini file. The output of the calculator is a CSV file with ‘Exposure + Risk’ fields. For convenience we also produced a ‘Total Risk’ output which is simply the sum over the assets of the values in the ‘Exposure + Risk’ output. In order to support other formats used in the volcanic hazard community we prepared tools to convert hazard footprints into the format accepted by the OpenQuake-engine. These tools were included in the Input Preparation Toolkit. [Software ] Volcano Model example Full example of the volcano model developed with the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC). [Data ] OpenQuake Volcano Risk Assessment OpenQuake for volcano risk assessment? Yes! Now you can perform volcanic scenarios. Checkout our tutorial! [Video ] Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Introduction The presentation of the tools and datasets from CRAVE took place in Bogota (Colombia) and Bandung (Indonesia). These events were organized by the Colombian Geological Survey and the Institute of Technology of Bandung. Kick-off Meeting The kick-off meeting took place in Bogota at the offices of the Colombian Geological Survey (SGC) on the 22nd of February 2018. During the meeting the goals of the CRAVE project were presented by GEM, as well as some concepts on seismic hazard, vulnerability and risk modelling. The British Geological Survey (BGS) presented general aspects of volcano hazard modelling and the mission of the Global Volcano Model, the SGC demonstrated how three volcanoes are currently being monitored and how seismic hazard maps have been developed in the past and the Rabaul Volcano Observatory (RVO) presented the current situation in terms of volcano hazard monitoring and assessment in Papua New Guinea. During this event all partners also discussed the way forward, including the division of tasks, case studies, relevant risk outputs and the timeframe for the next workshops. Bandung, Indonesia (20-22 of May) Workshop – IT Bandung With support from the Institute of Technology of Bandung (ITB), the event featured a day of presentations and discussion with representatives from the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM), the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works, the National Disaster Management Agency (Badan Nasional Penanggulangan Bencana - BNPB), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi dan Geofisika - BMKG), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). Bogota, Colombia (13-17 of May) Workshop - Geological Survey of Colombia Five days in Bogota provided a fruitful time to share and discuss the national volcanic hazard and risk assessment, as well as risk management challenges in the country. The workshop was divided into two main parts: The first part focused on the technical aspects of volcanic hazard and risk assessment. Representatives from the three mains national volcanological observatories participated in the sessions (Manizales, Popayan and Pasto). The second part of the workshop was conceived for a broader audience, involving stakeholders that contribute to the Disaster Risk Reduction strategy in the country. Anchor 4 CRAVE project kicks off in Colombia The USAID project – Collaborative Risk Assessment for Volcanoes and Earthquakes or CRAVE successfully kicked off with a workshop in Bogota, Colombia. [News ] CRAVE in Colombia and Indonesia Members of the USAID-supported project – CRAVE from Colombia and Indonesia participated in two separate workshops to discuss volcanic threats and risks. [News ] CRAVE workshop, Bandung, Indonesia Workshop at IT Bandung exploring open tools and models for #earthquake and #volcano #hazard and #risk assessment with project partners. [Social Media ] Anchor3 BUSINESS NEWS CRAVE project workshops held in Bogota, Colombia 1/3 BUSINESS NEWS CRAVE project workshops held in Bandung, Indonesia 1/5 Publications CRAVE Project Final Report Final Report to USAID/OFDA for: CRAVE-Collaborative Risk Assessment for Volcanoes and Earthquakes [Report ] Disclaimer The contents of this project website such as studies, reports, audio-visual, news articles, blogs, and other information or media products including those in the external links are made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
- WFP-ADAM+ | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects WFP-ADAM+ WFP-ADAM+ Innovation Accelerator Project Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The World Food Programme (WFP) Innovation Accelerator was established in 2016 to identify, support, and scale innovative solutions that contribute to ending global hunger by 2030. Based in Munich, Germany, the Accelerator provides funding, hands-on support, and access to WFP’s global operations and expert networks to empower WFP teams, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and NGOs worldwide. GEM participated in the Accelerator’s five-day bootcamp, held from November 27–29, 2023, where innovation and humanitarian experts collaborated with start-ups and WFP innovators to address field-level challenges, refine project strategies, and develop scalable solutions. Following this process, GEM successfully secured a place in the Accelerator’s Sprint Programme, a six-month initiative designed to advance innovations from proof of concept to prototype implementation. The bootcamp culminated in GEM’s participation in the WFP Accelerator Pitch Event in February 2024 in Munich, where GEM was selected as one of eight innovations to present its project to WFP senior management and potential funders. Duration: 2024 - 2025 Overall Objective The project aims to integrate GEM’s earthquake risk methodologies and datasets into humanitarian emergency preparedness and response efforts. By leveraging GEM’s expertise, the project seeks to enhance global access to reliable earthquake risk data and post-disaster impact assessments for humanitarian actors. This will be achieved by testing GEM’s models within WFP’s ADAM tool , ensuring they align with humanitarian needs in earthquake-prone regions. Expected Outputs 1. Improved Spatial Risk Assessment for Preparedness Development of high-resolution datasets on building exposure, population demographics (including gender and age groups), and vulnerability indicators. Validation of these datasets through ADAM-Preparedness to enhance the identification of at-risk communities. 2. Enhanced Post-Earthquake Impact Assessments Rapid estimation of affected populations within hours of an earthquake using USGS ground-shaking data integrated with GEM’s exposure and vulnerability layers. A refined impact assessment within 48 hours, leveraging GEM’s full modeling capabilities to estimate damaged buildings, displaced populations, homelessness, and fatalities for improved humanitarian response. Collaborators Coordination World Food Programme Project partner Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, Italy Funding partner: W orld Food Programme Innovation Accelerator Programme, Munich, Germany Locations Earthquake-prone WFP Countries with initial pilots in Afghanistan, Nepal, Turkey, Syria, Haiti, and the Philippines. 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
- PERU PUBLIC SCHOOLS | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects PERU PUBLIC SCHOOLS Development of an Insurance Program for Peru’s Public Schools Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The project aims to protect more than 50,000 public schools in Peru against the impact of natural hazards, and to improve continuity for children’s education by accelerating reconstruction and strengthening the country’s resilience through an innovative insurance programme. The GEM Hazard and Risk Teams are contributing to the design of the insurance programme with expertise in the earthquake hazard and risk modelling of school buildings in Peru. For more information, visit https://www.bmz.de/en/issues/climate-change-and-development/climate-risk-insurance/59532-59532. Duration: 2020 - 2024 Objectives The main objective of this project is to design an insurance programme for Peru’s public schools. The project will provide the Government of Peru with options to cover all or a subset of its more than 50,000 public schools against the impact of natural hazards thus accelerating reconstruction, while also strengthening the country’s resilience. Collaborators GEM Foundation, AXA XL, Munich Re, Peruvian Association of Insurance Companies (APESEG), JBA Risk Management, InsurTech Picsure. Funding partner: Germany’s InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF) Location Peru Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- TREAD | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects TREAD daTa and pRocesses in sEismic hAzarD Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background GEM is one of the partners of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funded TREAD project, which involves a consortium of 14 academic institutions and 8 private partners of the highest scientific level from 7 European countries. TREAD will train a new generation of seismic hazard scientists to tackle the challenges of earthquake forecasting in complex tectonic contexts such as the Europe and Mediterranean regions. During the 4 year project GEM will host and supervise two PhD students, one working with the hazard team and the other with the risk team, on the following topics: 1. Modelling distributed seismicity under innovative approaches (under joint supervision with the University of Milano, Bicocca, 2. Assessment of the impact of advanced seismic hazard modelling approaches on earthquake risk (under joint supervision with the University of Chieti-Pescara) More information at https://tread-horizon.eu/ . Duration: 2023-2027 Objectives The aim of TREAD is to train a new generation of seismic hazard scientists to tackle the challenges of earthquake forecasting in complex tectonic contexts such as the Europe and Mediterranean regions. A change of paradigm in seismic hazard is necessary to be able to fully account for the specific properties of earthquake source and seismic modes in those areas. For example, to calculate the probability of having multiple earthquake ruptures, the interaction between active faults across various space-time scales needs to be accounted for, as well as the effects of stress transfer and fault-fluid interaction in earthquake triggering. TREAD objectives are: 1) Developing a novel integrative approach to seismic hazard analysis in Europe and the Mediterranean by bridging the gap from small-scale laboratory experiments to large-scale observations. 2) Establishing physics-based earthquake modelling by linking computational modelling of earthquakes from millions of years to fractions of a second. 3) Transferring earthquake geology and computational modelling to hazard and risk assessment adapted to the needs of government, industry and scientific stakeholders. Collaborators University of Chieti-Pescara, CNRS, University of Utrecht, GEM Foundation, University of Grenoble Alps, Ludwig Maximilians University, University of Barcelona, University of Padova, ETH Zurich, IRSN, OGS, INGV, Ruhr University Bochum, IPGP, Helmholz Centre, Willis, IFP, EDF, University of Milan Bicocca, Munich Re, TNO, Tre Altamira, University D'Aix Marseille Funding partner: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), European Commission Location Pavia, Italy Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- GAR 2023 | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects GAR 2023 GAR Special Report 2023: Mapping resilience for the Sustainable Development Goals Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)'s Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2023 offers a unique perspective on development progress by emphasizing risk and resilience in a changing climate. The report features maps developed in collaboration with the GEM Foundation and other agencies (United Nations Geospatial Information Section, Environmental Systems Research Institute - ESRI), displaying country-level Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators and risk drivers, and showcasing resilience deficits. These maps also present future projections of these deficits under different climate scenarios, incorporating IPCC greenhouse-gas-emission-rate scenarios and representative concentration pathways. Duration: 2023 Objectives The report serves as a comprehensive inter-agency effort to assess and address resilience gaps, aiding in informed decision-making for sustainable development. Collaborators GEM Foundation, United Nations Geospatial Information Section, Environmental Systems Research Institute - ESRI Funding partner: UNDRR Location Geneva, Swizterland Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications



















