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- TREQ Project | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects TREQ Project Training and Communication for Earthquake Risk Assessment (TREQ) Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Risk Assessment Training Outreach Photos Publications Anchor 6 Summary The Training and Communication for Earthquake Risk Assessment (TREQ) Project was designed to demonstrate how earthquake hazard and risk assessment can inform decision makers in the development of risk reduction policies, as well as how earthquake risk can be properly communicated to stakeholders and the public in general. [PDF Executive Summary English ] Objectives The project was organized into two main parts. The first one aimed to develop capacity for urban earthquake hazard and risk assessment in Latin America, Quito (Ecuador), Cali (Colombia), and Santiago de los Caballeros (Dominican Republic); while the second part was to develop training, educational and communication material to enhance the understanding of earthquake risk worldwide. The program was tailored for a wide spectrum of stakeholders, categorized into four main groups: governance (decision-makers/public authorities), industry (practitioners and professionals), academia (researchers and professors), and the community. Collaborators Ecuador Municipalidad de Quito Escuela Politécnica Nacional (EPN) Instituto Geofísico (IG) Colegio de Ingenieros Civiles de Pichincha (CICP) Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Dominican Republic Municipalidad de Santiago de los Caballeros Servicio Geológico Nacional (SGN) Oficina Nacional de Evaluación Sísmica y Vulnerabilidad de Infraestructuras y Edificaciones (ONESVIE) Comité Técnico Nacional (CTN) Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) Colombia Municipalidad de Santiago de Cali Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC) Departamento Administrativo de Planeación Municipal (DAPM), Cali Universidad EAFIT, Medellin Unidad Nacional de Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres (UNGRD) Costa Rica Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR) Mexico Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC) Location Quito (Ecuador), Cali (Colombia), and Santiago de los Caballeros (Dominican Republic) Urban risk assessment in Latin America and the Caribbean The following deliverables were generated in this component: seismic hazard and risk assessment at the urban scale for the three TREQ cities: Quito (Ecuador), Cali (Colombia), and Santiago de los Caballeros (Dominican Republic). State-of-art models were developed for each city in close collaboration with local partners. The input models and results are available at the URL address below: [github.com/gem/treq-riesgo-urbano/ ] a. City reports Seismic Risk Assessment for the Metropolitan District of Quito [Evaluación de Riesgo Sísmico para el Distrito Metropolitano de Quito] [Español ] Seismic Risk Assessment for Santiago de Cali [Evaluación de Riesgo Sísmico para Santiago de Cali] [Español ] Seismic Risk Assessment for Santiago de los Caballeros [Evaluación de Riesgo Sísmico para Santiago de los Caballeros] [Español ] c. Seismic Risk Assessment Executive summary Urban seismic risk assessment for the cities of Quito, Cali and Santiago de los Caballeros [Resumen ejecutivo sobre la evaluación del riesgo sísmico urbano para las ciudades de Quito, Cali y Santiago de los Caballeros] [PDF English ] Building classes in Quito, Cali and Santiago de los Caballeros [Tipologías constructivas en Quito, Cali and Santiago de los Caballeros] [PDF Español ] Geo-referenced exposure database of population and buildings in the TREQ city [Base de datos de exposición georreferenciada de población y edificios en cada ciudad de TREQ] [Cali ] [Quito ] [Santiago ] Database of fragility and vulnerability functions for each building class present in the exposure model [Base de datos de funciones de fragilidad y vulnerabilidad para cada clase de edificio presente en el modelo de exposición] [Data ] Maps and risk metrics generated for each city [Mapas y métricas de riesgo para cada ciudad] [Cali ] [Quito ] [Santiago ] e. Urban Applications Earthquake induced landslides and liquefaction in Cali [Deslizamientos y licuefacción inducidos por sismo en Cali] [PDF English ] b. Seismic Hazard Assessment PSHA models and datasets for urban hazard assessment [Modelos probabilísticos de amenaza sísmica (PSHA) y conjuntos de datos para la evaluación de la amenaza a nivel urbano] [PDF English ] Probabilistic seismic hazard model for the Dominican Republic [Modelo Probabilístico de Amenaza Sísmica para la República Dominicana] [PDF English | Español ] [Download Model ] Seismic hazard results (rock and soil conditions) [Resultados de amenaza sísmica (condiciones en roca y en suelo)] [PDF English ] Seismic hazard analysis at the urban scale [Análisis de la amenaza sísmica a escala urbana] [PDF English ] d. City scenarios Database with ruptures selected for scenario analysis [Base de datos con rupturas seleccionadas para análisis de escenarios] [Cali ] [Quito ] [Santiago ] Scenario hazard assessment for the representative earthquakes in Quito, Cali and Santiago de los Caballeros [Evaluación del escenarios de amenaza para sismos representativos en Quito, Cali y Santiago de los Caballeros] [PDF English ] Anchor 1 Anchor 5 a. Website for OpenQuake online training The OpenQuake online training was designed for different types of audience with diverse background and expertise. Through this platform, participants interacted with GEM scientific and technical teams to learn the main concepts of earthquake risk assessment, along with the basic features of the engine. [English | Español ] b. OpenQuake manual in online format The official manual has been converted from latex into reStructuredText format made possible by @USAID support. The new manual is now online in HTML format and can be accessed at: [Webpage English ] c. Video tutorials on seismic hazard and risk analysis using OpenQuake The project has produced 15 videos on technical training using the OpenQuake-engine (in English and Spanish), 7 videos with material to disseminate the models and results of urban risk assessment in the TREQ cities, and 2 videos for communicating earthquake risk to the general public. OQ Engine Video Tutorials [ English | Español ] Improving global capacity for seismic hazard and risk This part of the program was designed to improve the understanding and awareness of earthquake hazard and risk, and to help bridge the gap between the information produced in detailed hazard and risk assessment studies and its communication to a wide variety of stakeholders (which range from local experts with the remit to assess seismic risk to decision-makers responsible for the implementation of risk reduction measures). e. Training the Trainers TREQ has engaged and collaborated with five university professors from Latin America to conceptualize, create and implement a unified course for the study of seismic risk at the university level. Brochures in English and Spanish further explain the concept behind this initiative and outline the early results and experiences of the professors from Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico. [PDF English | Español ] d. Manual to perform seismic hazard analysis This manual presents the basic concepts of classical PSHA and the wide spectrum of alternatives to model seismicity and uncertainties (epistemic and aleatory) in the OpenQuake-engine. Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) is the principal methodology for assessing the potential hazard posed by earthquakes. The hazard maps generated with the hazard calculator are widely used in national seismic codes for hazard zonation and structural design provisions. [PDF English ] [Example materials ] [More info ] Anchor 4 c. Guidelines for teachers for the development of an introductory course on seismic risk [Guía para profesores para el desarrollo de un curso introductorio de riesgo sísmico] [PDF Español ] Communicating and raising earthquake risk awareness The activities in this component 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 selected areas of the pilot cities by those who were trained by the project. b. Video to communicate earthquake risk to the general public [Video para comunicar el riesgo de terremoto al público en general] [English | Español ] News articles Events Understanding seismic risk through capacity development and knowledge sharing webinar draws hundreds of participants from around the world [Article ] [Event page English | Español ] [Video ] Presentation of the national PSHA model for the Dominican Republic: a joint webinar hosted by Servicio Geológico Nacional Dominicano in cooperation with GEM, Oficina Nacional de Evaluación Sísmica y Vulnerabilidad de Infraestructura. and USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance . [Event flyer Español ] [Video English | Español ] ---- Articles Raising Earthquake Risk Awareness: TREQ’s community workshops for the general public Urban hazard assessment of selected cities in Latin America Local solutions to global problems: reducing disaster risk through collaboration and openness TREQ Project Updates: Site Effects Modelling and Urban Exposure Models USGS has joined the TREQ initiative for urban earthquake scenarios TREQ capacity building: OQ online training updates Jan-Feb 2021 TREQ2020 – Capacity development and OpenQuake online training, year in review TREQ OpenQuake Online Training: Earthquake Scenarios - Ground Motion Fields Sept 2020 More at GEM News section d. Urban risk mitigation and response profiles for the TREQ cities [Perfiles de respuesta y mitigación de riesgos urbanos para las ciudades TREQ] [Cali ] [Quito ] [Santiago ] a. Educational material to raise seismic risk awareness: Application for the Metropolitan Area of Aburra Valley (AMVA) [Material didáctico para sensibilizar a la comunidad sobre el riesgo sísmico: Aplicación para el área Metropolitana del Valle de Aburrá (AMVA)] [PDF Español ] Newsletter The TREQ project newsletter was intented to share activities in urban risk assessment, and earthquake risk training and education materials with a wide-range of local stakeholders from the academia, private and public sectors, as well as the civil society in Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond. Newsletter no. 3 - May 2021 Newsletter no. 2 - September 2020 Newsletter no. 1 - March 2020 Maiden issue [English ] Maiden issue [Españo ] Anchor3 BUSINESS NEWS Meetings in Quito 1/10 BUSINESS NEWS Meetings in Guayaquil 1/1 BUSINESS NEWS Photos from the November 2020 OpenQuake Online training 1/2 BUSINESS NEWS More TREQ photos here Facebook album 1/4 BUSINESS NEWS March 2020 Project Kickoff 1/4 BUSINESS NEWS Raising Risk Awareness: workshops for the general public 1/4 Publications Overview TREQ Executive Summary [English ] Seismic Hazard Assessment PSHA models and datasets for urban hazard assessment [English ] Probabilistic seismic hazard model for the Dominican Republic [English | Español ] [Download Model ] Seismic Hazard Results (rock and soil conditions) [English ] Seismic hazard analysis at the urban scale [English ] Seismic Risk Assessment Executive summary Urban seismic risk assessment for the cities of Quito, Cali and Santiago de los Caballeros [English ] Building classes in Quito, Cali and Santiago de los Caballeros [Español ] City Scenarios Scenario selection for representative earthquakes in Quito, Cali and Santiago de los Caballeros [English ] Urban applications Earthquake-induced liquefaction and landslides in Cali, Colombia [English ] City reports Seismic Risk Assessment for the Metropolitan District of Quito [Español ] Seismic Risk Assessment for Santiago de Cali [Español ] Seismic Risk Assessment for Santiago de los Caballeros [Español ] Training and communicating earthquake risk Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) Training Manual [English ] [Example materials ] [More info ] Educational material to raise seismic risk awareness: Application for the Metropolitan Area of Aburra Valley (AMVA) [Español ] Guidelines for teachers for the development of an introductory course on seismic risk [Español ] 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.
- 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
- AELO | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects AELO ASCE Earthquake Loads Overseas (AELO) Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The project is carried out within a collaboration between GEM and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State (DoS) and the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD). The aim of the project is to provide a web service for computing design ground motions (on rock and soil) that are compliant with the ASCE guidelines (ASCE 7-16, ASCE 41-17, ASCE 7-22, ASCE 41-23) for 500 locations worldwide. In its inaugural year, AELO focuses on rigorously calculating seismic parameters, including Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA), Ss, and S1 design values across 500 diverse global locations, particularly emphasizing rock site conditions. This aims to ensure compliance with ASCE7-16 and ASCE41-17 standards, essential for seismic assessment and design practices. In the following year, the project progresses to establish a secure webservice for computing design ground motions. This password-protected platform will provide access to ASCE7-16 and ASCE41-17 aligned calculations, simplifying access to these critical seismic design parameters. Transitioning into the third year, AELO expands its computational scope to encompass ground motion calculations across various soil conditions worldwide, encompassing 500 locations to adhere to ASCE 7-22 and ASCE 41-23 standards. This phase seeks to enhance the breadth of seismic assessments, offering a comprehensive understanding of seismic hazards on diverse soil types. Finally, in its fourth year, the project concludes with the introduction of a sophisticated, password-protected webservice. This platform offers the capability to compute design ground motions based on the latest ASCE7-22 and ASCE41-23 standards, supporting seismic engineers and researchers globally by providing accurate, standardized, and essential seismic design parameters for diverse geographical locations. Duration: 2022 - 2026 Objectives The primary objective of the project is to create a web service capable of calculating design ground motions, both on rock and soil, in adherence to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) guidelines. These guidelines include ASCE 7-16, ASCE 41-17, ASCE 7-22, and ASCE 41-23. This web service heavily relies on the hazard models that are part of GEM’s global mosaic and the OpenQuake Engine. Collaborators GEM, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with support from the U.S. Department of State (DoS) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Location Global (Washington DC, USA) Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- 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
- ARISTOTLE | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects ARISTOTLE Multi-Hazard Expert Advice System for ERCC Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background The All Risk Integrated System TOwards Trans-boundary hoListic Early-warning or ARISTOTLE consortium combines a number of services that enable a rapid understanding of events from various natural hazards (earthquakes and tsunami, volcanoes, severe weather and floods) and how they might unfold, thus aiding a deeper interpretation of the resulting hazards and impact. The GEM Foundation is supporting the consortium by providing an assessment of the impact of earthquakes using GEM's global exposure and vulnerability models, with a focus on metrics such as collapsed buildings and displaced people, such that it may provide an added value to existing rapid loss assessment services such as the USGS's Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER). Visit http://pilot.aristotle.ingv.it/ for more details about the project. Duration: 2022 - 2028 Objectives ARISTOTLE aims to provide Multi-Hazard Advice to the European Research Coordination Centre, either in advance of / during the activation of the EC Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM), in order to increase preparedness and response levels of the EU and to improve the ERCC’s assessment capacity. Collaborators ARISTOTLE is a multi-disciplinary partnership consisting of world-leading scientific centres in the areas of Earth and Climate sciences, providing operational and monitoring services, early warning and information systems as well as contributing to innovation and research actions. Location Global (Rome, Italy) Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 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 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
- 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 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 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 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 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 Anchor 1 Anchor 5 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 ----- 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 . 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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! 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 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 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 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 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 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 Anchor3 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 Meetings January 9, 2024 Meetings with the Protección Civil de El Salvador. 1/3 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 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 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 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 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 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. 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. 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. 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.
- 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
- GEORGIA DRR | Global Earthquake Model Foundation
Projects GEORGIA DRR Capacity building to understand and take action on seismic risks in Georgia Versión en español English version Share Facebook LinkedIn Overview Anchor 6 Background This project aims to enhance the understanding of earthquake impacts in Georgia and to address the following two challenges: i. The lack of understanding of potential earthquake risk and the impact on people, infrastructure and the economy at large; and ii. the lack of efforts to reduce the vulnerability of existing infrastructure, particularly critical emergency response infrastructure. The project is divided into 5 tasks, with the GEM Risk Team contributing to all tasks, with a specific emphasis on developing exposure models, identifying vulnerability models and running the probabilistic seismic risk assessment with the OpenQuake engine: Task 1 – Project Inception Task 2 – Preparation of Input Data & Development of Input Models Task 3 – Seismic Risk Analysis Task 4 – Recommendations on Risk Reduction Strategy Task 5 – Capacity Building Workshops Duration: 2020-2021 Objectives The objective of this project is to provide greater insight to the World Bank into the exposure of Georgia’s emergency response sectors to earthquakes and the potential consequences, as well as strategies to build seismic resilience in these sectors. The findings allow the World Bank to develop recommendations and better advise the Government of Georgia on how to: i. enhance its capacity to plan for future risk reduction investment programs based on a better understanding of earthquake risk in emergency response buildings; ii. develop options for a framework for a future short, medium and long-term intervention strategy; and iii. communicate and build consensus on earthquake risks and potential interventions in key sectors. Collaborators GEM Foundation, Arup, Progress Project LLC, Ilia State University Funding partner: World Bank Group Location Georgia Anchor 1 Anchor 5 Anchor 4 Anchor3 Publications
- 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



















