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GeoHazard International Books

Issues in Urban Earthquake Risk

Urban seismic risk is growing worldwide and is, increasingly, a problem of developing countries. In 1950, one in four of the people living in the world’s fifty largest cities was earthquake-threatened, while in the year 2000, about one in two will be.

 

B.E. Tucker, Mustafa Özder Erdik, Christina N. Hwang
Springer Science & Business Media, Mar 9, 2013 – 330 pages
ISBN 9401583382

Keeping Schools Safe in Earthquakes

Earthquake-prone communities need earthquake-resistant schools. In 2002, a primary school in San Giuliano, Italy, collapsed killing 29 children and one teacher. In May 2003, a medium-sized earthquake in the city of Bingöl, Turkey, caused the collapse of three new schools and a dormitory, killing many children as they slept. All too frequently, earthquakes cause the collapse of school buildings and the injury and death of staff and students.

 

OECD Publishing, Paris., July 27, 2004 – 244 pages
ISBN 9789264016699

Seismic Hazard and Building Vulnerability in Post-Soviet Central Asian Republics

This book summarizes the currently available seismic and engineering data pertaining to the seismic hazard of the capitals of the Central Asian republics. The conclusion is that the risk to residents of these cities is extremely high. There is a roughly 40% probability that an earthquake will occur near. 

 

Please write to GHI to inquire about a copy of the Chinese version.

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Online Publications

A Culture at Risk: An Initial Assessment of Seismic Vulnerabilities in Upper Dharamsala, India

Numerous earthquake vulnerabilities endanger the Tibetan community’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage in Dharmsala. GHI analyzed the seismic safety and recommended safety improvements to protect the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) campus and other structures of importance in the Upper Dharamsala area..

 

Preventing another Haitian Crisis

Preventing Another Haitian Crisis: Prevention and Mitigation as Aid

This publication is the transcript of a talk given by Dr. Brian E. Tucker to the World Affairs Council in San Francisco, California, on February 2, 2010.

Global Earthquake Safety Initiative (GESI) Pilot Project

The Global Earthquake Safety Initiative (GESI) tested a model to estimate community earthquake safety and the potential lethality of earthquakes; the model was tested on 21 cities around the world. Disproportionately high urban earthquake risk in developing countries persists due to lack of awareness about the risk and about affordable means to manage it. In response, the model alerts threatened cities and helps evaluate which measures will have the most impact on saving lives, with special attention to strengthening schools.

The Quito, Ecuador Earthquake Risk Management Project

Quito has significant earthquake risk and has experienced several strong intensity earthquakes over the last 250 years. The risk has increased with population growth, poorly constructed buildings, and high risk developments. This report describes effects of future earthquakes on Quito and prioritizes recommendations for managing the risk.

Lessons for Central Asia

This document details strategies for urban earthquake risk management for the Central Asian Republics: Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan.

 

Download the document - Russian version

Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Action Plan

In 1997, GeoHazards International convened more than eighty government and non-government institutions to develop an earthquake mitigation Action Plan, which was released and endorsed by the Prime Minister of Nepal on Earthquake Safety Day in January 1999.

Understanding GEM’s Potential Beneficiaries

The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation is now at a point in its organizational history when it is ready to begin developing tools and resources for individuals who are not earthquake risk assessment experts. The research project described in this report comprised a study of earthquake risk reduction activities, needs, and barriers. It was designed to learn about the needs of these individuals worldwide, in order to provide information that could help to guide GEM’s future tool and resource development.

 

Executive summary

Kathmandu Valley’s Earthquake Scenario

This report describes possible impacts of a potential earthquake to impact Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The description is intended for use in planning and preparedness exercises and in raising awareness of Kathmandu Valley’s earthquake risk.

School Earthquake Safety and Preparedness – Course Materials

The National Capital Region of India, which consists of Delhi and surrounding smaller cities including the booming commercial center of Gurgaon, is located in India’s second highest zone of seismic hazard. GHI has been partnering with Bechtel India to reduce school earthquake risks and to educate students, faculty, and parents about earthquake preparedness.

 

Teacher Sensitization: Instructor Guide 

Volunteer Training: Instructor Guide

Volunteer Training: Student Guide

 

Investing in Quito’s Future

This document comprises a description of the Quito, Ecuador school earthquake safety project. High risk schools are prioritized and solutions presented to strengthen them.

 

Download the document (in spanish)

Reducing Earthquake Risk in Hospitals - Course for Maintenance and Facilities Personnel: Instructor Guide

The training materials include presentations, interactive exercises, instructor guides and student guides. The instructor guides and student guides can be downloaded below, and the full set of training materials is available upon request.

January 01, 2020

Reducing Earthquake Risk in Hospitals - Course for Nurses: Student Guide

The training materials include presentations, interactive exercises, instructor guides and student guides. The instructor guides and student guides can be downloaded below, and the full set of training materials is available upon request.

Reducing Earthquake Risk in Hospitals – Course for Nurses: Instructor Guide

The same geologic activity that has given rise to the Himalayan mountains creates high levels of earthquake risk throughout northern and northeast India. Hospitals located in these areas are vulnerable to earthquake damage and at risk of losing the ability to function precisely when the community needs them most.

Reducing Earthquake Risk in Hospitals – Course Training Materials

The same geologic activity that has given rise to the Himalayan mountains creates high levels of earthquake risk throughout northern and northeast India. Hospitals located in these areas are vulnerable to earthquake damage and at risk of losing the ability to function precisely when the community needs them most.

Toward Global Earthquake Safety

This brochure highlights the growth of urban earthquake risk and GHI’s approach to the problem: raise awareness, build local institutions, strengthen schools. It includes testimonials from supporters and advisors.

Uses of Earthquake Damage Scenarios

This document provides a multifaceted introduction to, earthquake damage scenarios (EDSs). An EDS is a description of the anticipated effects that a large but likely future earthquake could have on facilities that are critical to an urban area. By tracing the complex series of social and economic events likely to be triggered by an earthquake, the EDS can raise awareness of earthquake risk among citizens, elected officials, and leaders of the private sector. It can also help administrators to define appropriate earthquake-hazard-reduction strategies, set funding priorities, and direct future research.

Tsunami Preparedness Guidebook Resource Links

This document comprises a chapter-by-chapter companion to GeoHazards International’s Tsunami Preparedness Guidebook.  It lists authoritative resources that provide more information about the topics covered in the Guidebook.

 

Identifying Earthquake-Unsafe Schools and Setting Priorities to Make Them Safe

This document details a case study that took place in Gujarat, India.

Exporting Earthquake Safety Practices

Brian Tucker, President of GeoHazards International (GHI), Palo Alto, California, reports on how GHl’s projects transfer knowledge and experience. An extract by reinsurer Munich Re. 2006.

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