Projects per year
Abstract
In the past couple of decades, Operational Earthquake Forecasting (OEF) has been proposed as a way of mitigating earthquake risk. In particular, it has the potential to reduce human losses (injuries and deaths) by triggering actions such as reinforcing earthquake drills and preventing access to vulnerable structures during a period of increased seismic hazard. Despite the dramatic increases in seismic hazard in the immediate period before a mainshock (of up to 1000 times has been observed), the probability of a potentially damaging earthquake occurring in the coming days or weeks remains small (generally less than 5%). Therefore, it is necessary to balance the definite cost of taking an action against the uncertain chance that it will mitigate earthquake losses. In this article, parametric cost–benefit analyses using a recent seismic hazard model for Europe and a wide range of inputs are conducted to assess when potential actions for short-term OEF are cost–beneficial prior to a severe mainshock. Ninety-six maps for various combinations of input parameters are presented. These maps show that low-cost actions (costing less than 1% of the mitigated losses) are cost–beneficial within the context of OEF for areas of moderate to high seismicity in the Mediterranean region. The actions triggered by OEF in northern areas of the continent are, however, unlikely to be cost–beneficial unless very large increases in seismicity are observed or very low-cost actions are possible.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 293-311 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Natural Hazards |
Volume | 105 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 16 Sept 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 31 Jan 2021 |
Keywords
- time-dependent seismic hazard
- feasibility study
- risk-mitigation actions
- nomogram
- decision making
- parametric analysis
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Cost-benefit analyses to assess the potential of Operational Earthquake Forecasting prior to a mainshock in Europe'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Towards more Earthquake-resilient Urban Societies through a Multi-sensor-based Information System enabling Earthquake Forecasting, Early Warning and Rapid Response Systems (TURNKEY)
Douglas, J. (Principal Investigator), Perry, M. (Co-investigator), Roberts, J. (Co-investigator), Tubaldi, E. (Co-investigator) & Zonta, D. (Co-investigator)
European Commission - Horizon Europe + H2020
1/06/19 → 31/05/22
Project: Research
Research output
- 13 Citations
- 1 Article
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Nomogram to help explain probabilistic seismic hazard
Douglas, J. & Danciu, L., 29 Feb 2020, In: Journal of Seismology. 24, 1, p. 221–228 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Citations (Scopus)46 Downloads (Pure)
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37th General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission
Douglas, J. (Participant)
Sept 2021Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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The potential of Operational Earthquake Forecasting for the mitigation of earthquake risk
Douglas, J. (Speaker)
27 Nov 2020Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk