The Global Earthquake Model: Assessing the Impact of Earthquakes

The Global Earthquake Model: Assessing the Impact of Earthquakes at Local, Regional and Global Scale

Synopsis

Part 1

Despite the recent achievements in earthquake engineering and seismic hazard modeling, an increase in the human and economic losses due to this peril has been observed, strengthening the need to invest in risk reduction measures. In response to this need, the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation was created in 2009. Since then, GEM and its network of international experts have developed databases, tools and models useful for the assessment of earthquake hazard and risk at local, regional and global scale. In this presentation, the recent developments in the GEM products will be demonstrated through several case studies in South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

Part 2

Recovery from hazard impacts, such as those caused by earthquakes, is one of the least understood components of the disaster management cycle. Although there is evidence that socio-economic conditions influence recovery, attempts to measure and validate this relationship have been limited. GEM, supported by Alfred E. Alquist California Seismic Safety Commission, in collaboration with the University of California at Los Angeles, is developing methodologies and tools for the estimation of the recovery time of communities considering the effect of socio-economic factors, in addition to the initial damage state of buildings. In this presentation, the recent developments of the project through a real-world case will be presented.

About the speakers

Dr. Vitor Silva is a Seismic Risk Engineer at the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation, where he serves as the coordinator of the seismic risk section. Dr. Silva has led studies in structural vulnerability and probabilistic seismic risk assessment in countries such as Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Peru or Colombia, and participated in a multitude of European and regional projects (SHARE, SYNER-G, PRISE). He is responsible for the development of the risk component of the OpenQuake-engine, and coordination of the risk activities in various international projects in South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, North America and South Europe. He has authored more than 60 publications in international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

Venetia Despotaki is a Seismic Risk and Social Vulnerability scientist at the Global Earthquake Model Foundation (GEM). Following her studies in Civil Engineering at the National Technical University of Athens, she attended the “Risk and Emergency Management” master, in Pavia, Italy. Currently, she is involved in a project that aims at providing estimates of community recovery times following an earthquake, accounting for both the physical damage and the socio-economic conditions. She has performed field surveys documenting the recovery of the building stock of Napa, California following the 2014 Napa Earthquake and has interviewed stakeholders in the region.

Further information

This evening meeting is jointly organised by SECED & IStructE and chaired by Dr Tiziana Rossetto (UCL). Non-members of the society are welcome to attend. Attendance at this meeting is free. However, registration via the IStructE website is required. Tea and biscuits will be served from 5.30pm. For further information, please contact Jane Black (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).