GEM - Global Earthquake Model

16/10/2026

🆕 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗚𝗘𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗦 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘!

The July-September 2026 edition of GEM TOPIQS brings together the latest developments in earthquake risk research, field investigations, scientific collaboration and training.

🌍 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲'𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: The EEFIT reconnaissance mission in Colombia following the August earthquake. Discover how field observations of contrasting building performance are helping researchers better understand earthquake impacts and identify opportunities to improve risk models.

𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲:

🔹 The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)-GEM SAFER Workshop in El Salvador, bringing together experts from 11 countries

🔹 GEM's contributions to ECEE2026 in Berlin and 13NCEE in Portland

🔹 Highlights from the Third GEM-European Geosciences Union (EGU) Summer School and recent OpenQuake training activities

🔹 Early insights from the Venezuela and Colombia earthquakes, including the ECEE2026 special session recording

🔹 New publications, collaborations, upcoming events and opportunities

📬 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿:

👉 https://lnkd.in/eBFpfftM

Not subscribed yet? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dD_V2mq

14/10/2026

𝗪𝗲'𝗿𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿

The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation is looking for an 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆-𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 to join our Hazard Team in Pavia, Italy.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀, research on seismic hazard assessment, and scientific training using GEM's 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 tools.

We're looking for candidates with a 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗗, a strong quantitative background, programming experience and an interest in seismic hazard analysis.

The position is initially for 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, with the possibility of becoming permanent.

📍 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Pavia, Italy

📅 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: Open until the position is filled.

🔗 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: https://www.globalquakemodel.org/careers (Entry-Level Seismic Hazard Modeller)

13/10/2026

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲 | 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 🌍

According to GEM's 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹, unreinforced masonry and earthen construction account for 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗱𝗲.

This finding highlights the importance of understanding not only where buildings are located, but also how they are designed and constructed. Structural systems, connections, reinforcement and construction quality all influence how buildings respond to earthquakes.

Today, 13 October, marks the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗥𝗥). This year's theme, “Resilience Starts at Home,” draws attention to the importance of safer housing and risk-informed construction practices.

In our latest article, we explore what GEM's 2026 global exposure and risk models reveal about the world's building stock, drawing on examples from Afghanistan and research in Central America to examine how seismic risk assessments can inform strengthening measures and investment decisions.

Risk models cannot strengthen buildings on their own, but they can help identify vulnerabilities, compare risk reduction options and support decisions that make homes safer.

🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲: https://www.globalquakemodel.org/GEMNews/drr-day-2026-resilience-starts-at-home

GEM is a non-profit, scientific, public-private partnership that fosters global collaboration, developing transparent earthquake risk assessment resources for worldwide risk management.

08/10/2026

𝗚𝗘𝗠 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 | 𝟯–𝟭𝟮 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 🌍

Organised by the 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 (𝗚𝗘𝗠) 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 as part of the 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗨𝗦𝗦 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮, this in-person course combines theoretical lectures with hands-on training using the 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲.

Across eight training days, participants will work through the main components of seismic hazard and risk assessment, starting with seismic hazard analysis and moving into exposure modelling, building taxonomy, and fragility and vulnerability assessment. The course then brings these elements together through scenario-based and probabilistic risk modelling, drawing on GEM's global models and datasets.

Throughout the programme, lectures are complemented by practical tutorials, OpenQuake Engine exercises and group assignments, giving participants the opportunity to apply the methods and explore how different components contribute to earthquake risk assessment.

🎓 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀

A limited number of places are available for external participants, with priority given to early-career researchers. Up to 𝟭𝟬 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 are available for early-career researchers from low- and middle-income countries.

Participants will also have the opportunity to obtain an 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀, subject to successfully completing the assessment.

📅 𝟯–𝟭𝟮 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳
📍 𝗘𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮, 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆

📩 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴? Send your CV to 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿@𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹.𝗼𝗿𝗴.

Download the agenda here:https://cloud-storage.globalquakemodel.org/public/OQ%20Training/Gem%20Models%20and%20OQ%20Engine_Feb%202027%20v.1.pdf

06/10/2026

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗘𝗠 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 🌍
We’re looking for a 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 – 𝗟𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 to join our science team and contribute to GEM’s growing work on 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀.

The role will contribute to advancing how 𝗹𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲. This includes developing, testing and validating models using observations, geotechnical information, Earth observation and impact datasets, as well as integrating earthquake-triggered hazard and impact methodologies into the 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 and GEM’s 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹.

The ideal candidate will be a geotechnical engineer or researcher with expertise in areas such as 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗹𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, or 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.

A background in 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹-𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗜𝗦, strong quantitative and statistical skills, and scientific programming, particularly in 𝗣𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻, will also be valuable. Experience with 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲, 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 or 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲-𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 would be an advantage.

📍 The position is initially for 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀, with the possibility of becoming permanent, and would ideally be based at GEM’s headquarters in 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮, 𝗜𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆. Remote working may also be possible.

🔗 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀? Find the full position description and application details here: https://www.globalquakemodel.org/careers

Applications will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.

30/09/2026

𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸
A recent article by 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗢𝗻𝗲 draws on GEM’s exposure model to look at Colombia’s building stock in the context of the country’s seismic building regulations.

Based on an exposure dataset covering 𝟵.𝟴𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, the analysis estimates that 𝟳𝟰.𝟵% 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲, 𝗡𝗦𝗥-𝟭𝟬, adopted in 2010.

The article traces the development of earthquake-resistant building regulations in Colombia, from the country’s first code introduced in 1984 to the current NSR-10, and considers the large proportion of existing buildings constructed before current requirements came into force.

Importantly, as the article notes, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲. Rather, it reflects when they were constructed in relation to the current seismic code.

The article places these findings within the wider evolution of seismic regulation in Colombia and the challenge of understanding and assessing an existing building stock developed under different generations of building standards.

🔗 Read the full analysis by 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗶𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮𝗢𝗻𝗲:

Despite some of Latin America’s strictest regulations, 3 out of 4 buildings in Colombia do not meet current seismic resistance standards.

29/09/2026

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗘𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

At 𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗘𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻, a special session co-chaired by 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘆 (𝗚𝗘𝗠) and 𝗔𝗻𝗮 𝗔𝗰𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱𝗼 (𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗜𝗧 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆) brought together researchers and practitioners to examine the 2026 earthquakes in Venezuela and Colombia from a range of perspectives, from the first assessments through to more detailed investigation.

The session moved across 𝗨𝗦𝗚𝗦 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲, 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱-𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀, 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝘀𝗲𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, bringing different sources of evidence into the same discussion.

Together, the contributions provide a closer look at the observed impacts of the two events and at how different forms of analysis and reconnaissance can contribute to understanding earthquake hazard and risk.

🎥 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, including all presentations from the special session.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu3ykUws3VM

Many thanks to all the speakers who shared their analyses and observations, to 𝗔𝗻𝗮 𝗔𝗰𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗜𝗧 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 for their collaboration in bringing the session together, and to 𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗘𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 for providing the space for this exchange.

As part of the 18th European Conference on Earthquake Engineering (...

24/09/2026

𝗔 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗼

From 7–11 September, the 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗚𝗘𝗠-𝗘𝗚𝗨 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 brought participants together at the University of Aveiro for five days of lectures, hands-on analysis, group work and discussion.

The programme moved through different components of 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, beginning with ground-shaking scenarios and their implementation in the OpenQuake-engine before expanding to secondary hazards including 𝗹𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀.

From there, participants explored exposure modelling for loss assessment, the use of 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, seismic vulnerability, disaster impact assessment and structural interventions to reduce earthquake risk. The final day turned to 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and the use of augmented reality in earthquake engineering.

Throughout the week, 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 and group activities gave participants the opportunity to apply the concepts introduced in the sessions, work with open models and data, and bring different aspects of hazard and risk assessment together. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀, 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. The week concluded with group presentations and the opportunity to take the official 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲-𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺.

A big thank you to everyone who took part and contributed to the week in Aveiro, and to the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗿𝗼, 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗘𝗚𝗨) and 𝗘𝗙𝗘𝗛𝗥 for making this third edition possible alongside GEM.

22/09/2026

𝗔 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻.

At 𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗘 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, GEM colleagues contributed across the programme with presentations, posters and theme lectures exploring how our knowledge of earthquake risk can be understood, updated and used in practice.

The discussions moved from the 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝘇𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 to future exposure, vulnerability, embodied carbon loss, liquefaction and transport networks. They also looked ahead – at how 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 can help risk models evolve as the places and communities they represent change.

Beyond the individual presentations, ECEE 2026 created space for wider conversations across the earthquake engineering community – 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀, 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Thank you to the organisers, collaborators and everyone who stopped 𝗯𝘆 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 to exchange ideas with us throughout the conference. The week in Berlin brought new perspectives, useful connections and plenty to take forward in the months ahead.

22/09/2026

𝗚𝗘𝗠 𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗦𝗖𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

From 6 to 11 September, the 40th General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission (ESC2026) brought the seismology community together in Istanbul for six days of scientific exchange and discussion.

GEM contributed to the programme with work exploring some of the methodological challenges and uncertainties involved in seismic source characterisation and hazard assessment.

GEM Seismic Hazard Scientist 𝗞𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁𝘆 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀 convened the session Addressing Challenges in Seismic Source Characterisation for Seismic Hazard Analysis, with Kirsty also chairing the session.

𝗙𝗮𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻, 𝗚𝗘𝗠 𝗣𝗵𝗗 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗨𝗦𝗦 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮, presented Testing Methodological Consistency in Seismic Source Characterization: The Impact of Spatial Windows of Declustering and Smoothing on Stochastic Earthquake Sets in Diverse Tectonic Settings, examining how methodological choices can influence stochastic earthquake sets across different tectonic environments.

👏 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗵𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗦𝗖𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

Kirsty also contributed a poster on Propagating Magnitude and Modelling Uncertainties to Seismic Source Rates, looking at how uncertainties can be carried through into seismic source rate estimates.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗦𝗖𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗯𝘂𝗹.

🔗 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲: https://www.esc2026.org/