GEM Foundation

𝗔𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗘𝗠 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲! This issue highlights our efforts to strengthen disaster resilience through improved seismic hazard and risk assessment. Following the recent earthquake in Vanuatu, which caused significant shaking and impacted local communities, our thoughts remain with those affected. We hope our contributions, including the Southwest Pacific workshop under the FORCE project, will help support these efforts. Our 𝘐𝘯𝘍𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 article introduces GEM’s new public sponsorship scheme, approved at the recent Governing Board meeting, enhancing partnerships with public institutions worldwide. We also spotlight GEM’s participation at INGV’s 25th-anniversary event, where we presented the evolution of the Global Earthquake Model and our vision for a resilient future. Additionally, discover updates to our Global Seismic Regulation Database, now including South American countries, and GEM’s role in advancing the EMME24 Model at ASC 2024. Let’s celebrate these achievements and renew our commitment to resilience in 2025. Discover more in the latest GEM TOPIQS Newsletter October-December 2024 for more insights, resources, and upcoming events! https://lnkd.in/dbCWHetK Stay connected for more updates, collaborations, and upcoming events! 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘁 https://lnkd.in/dD_V2mq.

🌊 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Today, GEM PhD Student from IUSS Pavia, Naveen Ragu Ramalingam, shared insights into his research on the promising use of machine learning (ML) to enhance tsunami modelling. His work focuses on developing ML-based emulators to address the computational costs of expensive numerical tsunami simulations, to facilitate large-scale, high-resolution assessments, achieving: ✅ Predictions of critical tsunami metrics, including wave height and inundation. ✅ Up to 30x reduction in computational costs compared to traditional numerical simulations. ✅ Applications to hazard and risk assessments in regions like Tohoku, Japan, and Eastern Sicily, Italy. This approach showcases the potential of ML to make tsunami modelling more scalable, efficient, and accessible, paving the way for improved disaster preparedness and response worldwide. 💡 Congratulations to Naveen on this exciting contribution to seismic and tsunami risk research, which reminds us of the importance of extending scientific collaboration to advance disaster risk reduction and strengthen global resilience!

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗜𝗧 𝗕𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘆 On December 9th, GEM participated in the international workshop titled “𝘚𝘦𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦: 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘛𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘥𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴” at IIT Bombay. The event brought together professionals from the insurance sector, government, academia - including professors and students from IIT Bombay - and GEM experts. The workshop featured expert presentations, including Applications of Earthquake Risk Assessment in Disaster Risk Management by Anirudh Rao and Environmental Impact of Earthquakes by Martina Caruso. These were followed by a dynamic panel discussion, during which participants explored innovative approaches to mitigating seismic risk, emphasizing sustainable strategies. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in a longer, more in-depth workshop focused on the OpenQuake Engine. This successful workshop not only promoted knowledge exchange but also strengthened GEM’s ongoing collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, paving the way for future initiatives. Thank you to Prof. Meera Raghunandan and IIT Bombay for organizing the workshop and inviting us!

𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗘𝗠’𝘀 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 GEM is pleased to share updates on our 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙡 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙨𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩. Recent work focused on analyzing seismic design regulations across seven South American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. This study focused on understanding the evolution of seismic codes and estimating the percentage of building stock constructed under various seismic design levels (𝘕𝘰 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦, 𝘓𝘰𝘸 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦, 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦, 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦). Key findings from South America highlight that about 20% of the total building stock—and 55% of reinforced concrete buildings—were designed with some level of seismic consideration. To support this initiative and make the data publicly accessible, GEM has launched a dedicated webpage that provides historical and current seismic code details, includes building stock fractions by code level, and offers downloadable shapefiles of seismic zonations. This initiative will continue to expand globally, covering other regions in the world. Contribute by participating in our survey on seismic code enforcement incorporating new data and refining models for greater accuracy! Explore the database on our website: https://lnkd.in/diupwuY9 And contribute by participating in our survey on seismic code enforcement: https://lnkd.in/eQjGUvXt Together, we’re building resilience through better understanding of seismic risks!

𝗔 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗘𝗠’𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱-𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. The gathering featured a thorough review of governance, secretariat and partner activities, as well as strategic priorities for the year ahead. We’re inspired by the valuable insights, renewed commitments, and collective vision shared during the discussions. Your dedication continues to drive GEM’s mission forward. Here’s to another year of collaboration and progress as we build a safer, more resilient world together!

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝟵𝟬𝟬 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀! This platform brings together a vibrant community to exchange questions, share insights, and collaborate on using GEM’s OpenQuake engine. Since its release in 2013, OpenQuake has become an essential tool for seismic hazard and risk calculations worldwide, empowering a growing community of scientists, engineers, and risk analysts to enhance earthquake risk understanding and resilience planning. A big thank you to our global community of users for their continued engagement and contributions to advancing earthquake hazard and risk assessment! Discover OpenQuake Engine here: https://lnkd.in/eYWTi56w

At GEM, we collaborate with both public and private partners to tackle seismic risks and develop innovative solutions. As part of this effort, GEM contributed to a probabilistic earthquake loss model tailored to Singapore’s unique seismic challenges, including risks from the Sumatran subduction zone and reclaimed land. This collaboration with Aon’s Impact Forecasting team is one example of how GEM works with private sector leaders to advance resilience worldwide. This new model helps insurers and other stakeholders better understand earthquake risks in Singapore. By analyzing ground conditions and potential impacts like liquefaction, it provides detailed insights to support decision-making and improve resilience planning. As a non-profit organization, GEM reinvests income from commercial sales into core programs, including advancing earthquake and multi-hazard risk assessment, pioneering scientific methods, and supporting developing countries in building resilience. Together with our private and public partners, we’re building safer, more resilient communities worldwide. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dFU7Eh3x

𝗕𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗘𝗠 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗦𝗛𝗔 GEM is looking for a talented individual to join our Hazard Team in Pavia, Italy! 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀: - Developing open-source tools for seismic hazard analysis. - Supporting the creation of national, regional, and global PSHA models. - Conducting advanced research in probabilistic seismic hazard modeling. - Training scientists and students in PSHA techniques. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱: - Strong programming skills (Python preferred). - Experience in PSHA calculations and model creation. - A PhD in seismic hazard assessment, engineering seismology, or related fields. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿: - A multicultural, collaborative environment. - Flexible hours, opportunities for international collaboration, and potential for a permanent position. Submit your application, including a cover letter, CV, and references, at: https://bit.ly/3OhY7NA For additional questions, contact Marco Pagani at marco.pagani@globalquakemodel.org with the Subject: GEM Hazard Application.

𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲: 𝗔 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗯𝘆’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 The City of Burnaby, British Columbia is advancing earthquake preparedness with its Burnaby Strategies and Actions for Earthquake Resilience (B-SAFER) project, as highlighted in the Burnaby Beacon article: Burnaby is developing a new earthquake strategy (https://lnkd.in/dc-2De_8). A key part of this initiative is the use of GEM’s OpenQuake Engine to generate earthquake scenarios and assess seismic hazard and risk. “The earthquake scenarios will help illustrate a myriad of ‘risk assessment themes,’ populations that are disproportionately at risk, geographic hot spots of risk across the city, particular dwelling types at risk, potential impacts to critical infrastructure and related systemic effects, potential vulnerabilities within the first responder community,” said Charmaigne Pflugrath, City Emergency Management Coordinator. This encouraging development highlights the growing trust in GEM’s tools at the local government level. Cities like Quito, Cali, Wellington, and now Burnaby have adopted OpenQuake Engine to support their risk reduction efforts, building on GEM’s global collaborations. By integrating OpenQuake’s outputs, cities can make proactive, scientifically sound decisions that enhance safety, optimise resource allocation, and build long-term resilience against seismic events. Canada through Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), a long-standing GEM public sponsor, continues to lead by example in adopting innovative tools to enhance community resilience.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 for the 14th International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability (ICOSSAR 2025). More information below.