Complexity in seismic risk assessment at different levels with gis technology application

Abstract

The paper addresses the complexity issues faced in simulation models and input data used for strong earthquakes loss assessment. Loss estimations before future events and following strong earthquakes worldwide in emergency mode are considered. Special attention is paid to impact databases on past earthquakes, which could be used for worldwide system calibration, as well as for assessment of regional parameters of simulation models used at all stages, from estimating shaking intensity to assessing the damage to different elements at risk. Examples of seismic risk assessment and mapping at different levels are given and the influence of input data uncertainties on the reliability of loss computations is analyzed.