Publications The hazard component of OpenQuake: The calculation engine of the Global Earthquake Model Share Facebook LinkedIn Download 2012 | Peer-reviewed We present OpenQuake-Hazard: the seismic hazard calculator of the OpenQuake engine, the seismic risk platform promoted and developed by the Global Earthquake Model initiative. OpenQuake-Hazard is designed to be an open, transparent, and community driven tool for seismic hazard analysis. The source code is hosted on public repositories that allow for distributed development and it’s implemented following modern software design principles like test driven development and continuous integration. It uses an XML-based data exchange format (called NRML, ‘Natural hazard’ Risk Markup Language) and its design reflects the analysis of seismic hazard models produced for different regions of the world (it’s therefore not tight to the needs of a particular geographical/tectonic region).

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News Urban hazard assessment of selected cities in Latin America By: Jun 6, 2022 Share Facebook LinkedIn Latin America is no stranger to earthquakes and records reveal seismic activity in Quito (Ecuador) dating back to the 1587 Guayllabamba earthquake. The urban centres built on deep alluvial basins have the potential to amplify the seismic waves thereby increasing the intensity of ground shaking. The rapid urbanisation in these cities only adds to the seismic risk of the built environment and human casualties. One of the objectives of this project was to build seismic hazard and risk models incorporating the local site effects that can be useful for engineers and policymakers in making an informed decision. GEM scientists developed site response models for three urban centres, namely, Cali, Colombia; Quito, Ecuador; and Santiago, Dominican Republic, based on geotechnical data provided by local experts. GEM used the available methods to combine in a probabilistic framework, the seismic sources (such as faults), ground motion models and the local site response models to compute the intensity of ground shaking at the surface. The end product includes 1) hazard maps - showing the level of ground motion at a certain probability of exceedance in the given time frame, 2) hazard curves and 3) uniform hazard spectra. The results of site response analyses show in some cases (e.g. in Cali) the de-amplification of motion, whereas in others - like in Quito and Santiago - increased levels of shaking. In some zones in each of these cities, soil softening and hardening, as well as resonance was captured in the site response models. At some locations, the use of site-specific information in hazard calculation produces estimates that are nearly twice that of ground motion values at bedrock. Further, the study highlights the prominent non-linear behaviour in soft soils at high levels of ground shaking which can be captured only through site specific amplification models and their impact on seismic hazard and risk. No images found. GALLERY Hazard map for the Hispaniola island considering local site effects. The map shows peak ground acceleration values corresponding to 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years. 1/2 Gallery VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News News Briefs: April-June 2025 By: Jul 7, 2025 Jul 8, 2025 Share Facebook LinkedIn GEM Governing Board Meets in Pavia GEM’s Summer Governing Board meeting was held on 26–27 June 2025 in Pavia. The agenda included partner presentations, project updates, and public sponsorship renewals. Four new members were also confirmed to GEM’s Advisory Board: Justin Ginnetti (IFRC), Finn Løvholt (NGI and Global Tsunami Model Association), Renato Solidum Jr. (Secretary, DOST Philippines), and Iain Stewart (University of Plymouth/Royal Scientific Society of Jordan), who was appointed Vice Chair. The group brings a valuable mix of science, governance, and risk expertise. GEM concludes participation in EU METIS project GEM wrapped up its role in the EU-funded METIS project this June. Coordinated by EDF under Horizon 2020 Euratom, METIS aimed to advance seismic risk assessment for nuclear facilities. GEM led enhancements to OpenQuake for hazard-to-risk modelling and supported workflows linking seismic hazard with probabilistic safety assessments. The project’s open methodologies are expected to benefit nuclear safety reviews across Europe. More at www.metis-h2020.eu . GEM at Oasis Insight 2025 in London GEM joined industry leaders at the Oasis Insight Conference, held 30 April – 1 May at Glaziers Hall, London. Vitor Silva spoke on emerging global risk modelling challenges, while Pratim Parash Kalita showcased GEM’s open tools and datasets at the exhibit booth. The event, hosted by Oasis and Lloyd’s Market Association, highlighted advances in open catastrophe modelling and cross-sector collaboration. GEM at EGU2025 GEM researchers and collaborators participated in the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2025 in Vienna from 27 April – 2 May 2025, presenting new methods on rupture geometry, site effects, hazard grid optimisation, and EO-based exposure disaggregation. Julián Santiago Montejo, a GEM-TREAD PhD student, received an OSPP Award (outstanding student and PhD candidate presentation) for his poster on optimal site hazard grids. GEM also supported Lisa Jusufi’s participation, following her team’s success as Best Group Presentation at the GEM-EGU Summer School last year. Presentations highlighted GEM’s applied risk science in Colombia, Türkiye, Nepal, and France. GEM holds PSHA and OpenQuake training in Camerino From 9–12 June, GEM delivered a four-day course on probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) and OpenQuake at the University of Camerino, Italy. Led by GEM Seismic Hazard Scientists Kirsty Bayliss and Christopher Brooks, the training combined lectures and hands-on exercises for students and researchers. The course aimed to strengthen local capacity in applying open-source hazard modelling tools. Ground failure meets ShakeMap EU At the Third European ShakeMap Workshop, funded by the GeoINQUIRE project, on 5 June 2025 at INGV Milan, Lana Todorović, GEM Collaborator on Liquefaction and Landslide Modeling, presented her work on integrating liquefaction models into the ShakeMap EU workflow. Her presentation explored how combining ground failure modelling with real-time ground shaking maps can improve impact assessments and emergency response across Europe. Celebrating research milestones in seismic risk On 29 May 2025, during the International ROSE Seminar in Pavia, GEM PhD researchers Lana Todorović and Naveen Ragu Ramalingam successfully defended their doctoral theses. Lana presented her work on liquefaction risk assessment, while Naveen introduced machine learning methods for modelling offshore-to-onshore tsunami impacts. Both are PhD students at IUSS Pavia. Congratulations to them for advancing research in geohazard and tsunami risk. Bridging modelling and vulnerability at COMPDYN2025 At COMPDYN2025 in Rhodes, Greece (10–12 June), GEM’s Al Mouayed Bellah Nafeh and Karim Aljawhari presented work on open-source tools and global vulnerability databases. Furkan Narlitepe (IUSS Pavia) shared his research on retrofitted building vulnerability and cost–benefit analysis, while Amir Taherian (University of Aveiro) introduced machine learning models calibrated with nonlinear simulations. The event convened experts in structural dynamics and earthquake engineering, highlighting applied research supporting improved seismic risk and disaster mitigation strategies. GEM at ICOSSAR’25 in Los Angeles At the 14th ICOSSAR, held 1–6 June 2025 at the University of Southern California, GEM’s Karim Aljawhari co-convened Session 37: Vulnerability of the Built Environment with Meera Raghunandan (IIT Bombay) and Eyitayo Opabola (UC Berkeley). The session explored data-driven strategies to assess direct and indirect impacts of natural hazards. GEM also joined broader discussions on structural reliability and uncertainty quantification, reinforcing its commitment to science-based, collaborative approaches to disaster risk reduction and resilience of the global built environment. GEM LinkedIn Poll: Where Public Institutions Need Support Most In a recent GEM LinkedIn poll, 54% of respondents said collaborative risk modelling would most support seismic risk mitigation in their country, followed by model and software training (37%) and input to seismic design codes (9%). The poll was held alongside the launch of GEM’s Public Sponsorship Scheme. Although applications for the merit-based sponsorship tier closed on 24 May 2025, updates and partnership opportunities can be followed at: https://www.globalquakemodel.org/get-involved?tab=partnership-opportunity 29 April: International Day in Memory of Earthquake Victims The UN General Assembly has officially designated 29 April as the International Day in Memory of the Victims of Earthquakes, following a resolution led by Uzbekistan, Chile, and the Philippines. GEM welcomes this recognition as a reminder of the shared responsibility to turn remembrance into action. Honouring the lives lost means continuing to build seismic knowledge, support safer construction, and train local capacity to reduce future risk. Click here for more details. No images found. GALLERY 1/0 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

News Communicating Risk: How we respond to risk and what that means for communication By: May 21, 2020 Share Facebook LinkedIn GEM participated recently in a UNDRR Geneva-sponsored webinar facilitated by Jeanette Elsworth, UNDRR Senior Public Information Officer. The webinar explores the emotive way people respond to risk, why even if armed with all the facts, we may still have trouble persuading people to do the right thing. The webinar also touched on what behavioral economics can teach us about the way we respond to risk, and how we apply this to policy making and public-facing media communications. Speakers include experts from behavioral economics and communications with introductory remarks from Mami Mizutori, Special Representative of the UN for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR. Kate Orkin, Senior Research Fellow in Behavioral Economics at the University of Oxford talked about ‘Incorporating how we behave under risk into COVID-19 communications’. She proposed that key messages must: speak socially, invoke the future and use every touch point you can to be effective in changing the intended audience’s behavior. Lisa Robinson, Head of Advisory, BBC Media Action presented the ‘3 common mistakes in designing risk communication’. She said that failure of risk communication strategies is due to the following: skimping on audience research, creating a snazzy product without a strategy for change, and avoiding conversation about risks. Ranil Dissanayake, adviser to the UK Department for International Development added that key messages and how they are designed are important in behavioral change but he also pointed out that key messages alone cannot be effective if the target demographic is faced by more immediate problems such as joblessness, poverty and hunger. However, he agreed with Kate and Lisa on the importance of understanding the intended audience in order to be effective in communicating risk. During the discussion, a trending topic focused on the importance of risk communication in changing behaviors, but participants also recognized the fact that it’s expensive and requires a lot of sustained work. Stephanie Speck, Head of Communications, Advocacy, Knowledge Management and IT, UNDRR gave the closing remarks, highlighting the possibility of a follow up webinar focusing on how to develop and implement a communication strategy when financial, material and human resources are limited. For the latest in risk communication online training and workshops, visit . No images found. GALLERY 1/0 Gallery VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

License Request Form You have chosen to get more information about: Sub-Saharan Africa Hazard Hazard Please check the link below to see if this product already meets your your requirements before submitting your request for a license. Thank you. DOWNLOAD THE OPEN VERSION Summary of steps to obtain a license for the requested product. Fill in the application form below. Click Submit. Please check your email Inbox or Spam folder for the summary of your request. You will then be contacted by the GEM Product Manager with either a request for more information, or a request to sign the license. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks, please send an email to product@globalquakemodel.org . REQUEST DETAILS A. Requesting party information First Name Last Name Role/Job Email Business type Business type Other business Sector Sector Other sector B. License agreement signatory information The signatory must be someone who is authorised to sign license agreements on your behalf such as your immediate supervisor, manager or legal officer. If you’re a PhD student, the signatory must be your adviser or a university officer in charge of license agreements or similar legal documents. Full Name of Signatory Position Company Email of Signatory Organisation name Complete Address C. Purpose of request GEM is able to offer products for free because of the support of our project partners, national collaborators and institutional sponsors. All of GEM’s products are freely available for public good, non-commercial use, but with different license restrictions. In most cases we release products under an open license (e.g., CC BY-SA or CC BY-NC-SA), which permits (re)distribution. In this case, we are granting access under a more restricted license that forbids distribution or disclosure and requires signing by GEM and the licensee in order to better assure accountability for the confidentiality of the information. In order for GEM to properly assess your request, please answer the following questions below. 1. Explain briefly how will the GEM product be used e.g. project, research including the expected results and the foreseen public benefit. 2. Will you be able to share the results of your work with GEM? YES NO 3. Will you be able to provide feedback to GEM on the quality and usefulness of this product via a survey? YES NO C. Privacy Policy By submitting this form, you consent to the processing of your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We are committed to safeguarding your information and ensuring it is only used for the purpose outlined in this form. You have the right to access, rectify, or delete your data at any time. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. I agree Words: 0 Email us at product@globalquakemodel.org if you're experiencing problems submitting your application. Thank you. Submit Thanks for submitting! You will be contacted as soon as possible Incomplete data. Please fill in all required fields. Thank you.

News News Briefs: April - June 2024 By: Jul 8, 2024 Jul 8, 2024 Share Facebook LinkedIn GEM at Sismica 2024 conference, Portugal The GEM Foundation participated in Sismica 2024, the 13th National Congress of Seismology and Earthquake Engineering, held in Portugal. Vitor Silva and Catarina Costa represented GEM on panels discussing comprehensive earthquake risk assessment in Portugal and innovative methods for estimating earthquake damage to roads in urban areas. Vitor also moderated a session on ground motion simulations and contributed to discussions on using low-cost sensors to assess damage to reinforced concrete structures. GEM's involvement highlighted its contributions to various aspects of seismic risk reduction and the importance of international collaboration in earthquake preparedness. GEM at OASIS conference in London The GEM Foundation participated in the Oasis Loss Modelling Framework Ltd. Insight Conference in London. Andrés Abarca, GEM Product Manager, presented a 3-minute pitch during the "Messages from Providers" session. He highlighted GEM's vision, mission, and how its resources can empower businesses and organisations in earthquake risk management. GEM Governing Board Meeting June 2024 GEM successfully held its summer Governing Board meeting in June 2024. Participants engaged in productive discussions, reviewing governance, secretariat and partner activities, and finalising strategic priorities for the latter half of the year. New sponsors joined and existing commitments were renewed, solidifying a strong foundation for GEM's future. Looking forward to seeing everyone again in December! GEM Sponsors OQ training workshop GEM recently hosted a successful training workshop in Pavia, Italy (May 6-10). The week-long event brought together 26 participants from its global network of sponsors and partners. Through active participation, the group focused on knowledge sharing and capacity development to strengthen the GEM community to better address seismic risk. Participants gained practical experience with the OpenQuake Engine and explored datasets crucial for seismic hazard and risk modelling. Assessing Future Earthquake Risks - TREAD Horizon Lecture Series Alejandro argues that earthquake risk assessment should consider not just current risk, but also how risk will change in the future due to factors like population growth and new buildings, proposing that future risk models should be time-dependent to account for these changes. Watch his presentation below, organised by TREAD Horizon – a doctoral network that aims to tackle the challenges of earthquake forecasting in complex tectonic settings using integrated observations and physics. The project is funded by the European Union Horizon Europe Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101072699) and will run until 2026. ( www.tread-horizon.eu ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ0sQ2FuoiA No images found. GALLERY 1/0 VIDEO RELATED CONTENTS

Publications Beyond Button Pushing report Share Facebook LinkedIn Download 2017 | Report According to the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities, the likelihood of magnitude 6.7 and larger earthquakes occurring somewhere in California in the next 30 years is near certainty. Given the high level of earthquake risk in California, it is crucial to develop policies for risk mitigation, emergency preparedness, risk transfer and insurance, and buildings and infrastructure design that are informed by the best available science on earthquakes. Consequently, there is a need for improved understanding of the seismic risk in the State, including a better characterization of elements that comprise the risk: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.

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