Share

Within the scope of the 2024 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR), focusing on the role of education in empowering youth for a disaster-free future, GEM is pleased to share the recent success of its summer school held in collaboration with the University of Aveiro, the European Geosciences Union (EGU) and the European project Geo-Inquire. The GEM-EGU Summer School on GeoHazards Risk, hosted at the Universidade de Aveiro in Portugal gathered 22 participants from 16 countries for a week of comprehensive training on earthquake-related risks and multi-hazard assessment.

In September 2024, the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation and the European Geosciences Union (EGU) successfully conducted this inaugural summer school, bringing together experts and participants to explore cutting-edge methods for assessing geohazard risks. The program particularly focused on the cascading impacts of earthquakes, including landslides, liquefaction, and tsunamis.

Participant Key Takeaways

The key takeaways from the 22 participants highlight several critical insights gained during the GEM-EGU Summer School on GeoHazards Risk 2024:

Equipping Future Leaders in Disaster Risk Reduction

Recognising that traditional earthquake risk assessments often overlook the broader scope of secondary hazards, the GEM-EGU Summer School aimed to bridge this gap by offering comprehensive training on holistic risk evaluation. Participants from disaster-prone regions such as Indonesia, Iran, and Nepal enriched the discussions, highlighting the importance of global collaboration in disaster risk management.

Hands-on Learning and Real-world Applications

The week’s curriculum featured a mix of presentations, case studies, and hands-on sessions using OpenQuake, a widely used state-of-the-art software developed by GEM for modelling seismic hazard and risk. Experts from academia and industry, including representatives from the University of Calabria, the University of Thessaloniki, University College London and the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, provided in-depth training. Participants worked on real-world case studies, including the development of earthquake risk reduction strategies for Lisbon, Portugal.

Global Perspectives on Seismic Risk

The event’s impact extended beyond academic knowledge. Participants reflected on the value of international collaboration and practical learning. Rifqi Irvansyah, a participant from Indonesia who recently completed his studies at UCL, noted:

His sentiments were echoed by many who appreciated the opportunity to work with experts from diverse fields.

Rita Couto, a PhD candidate at IUSS Pavia (Italy), for instance, reflected on how the summer school helped her expand her understanding of seismic risks and mitigation strategies:

Another participant, Diego Alberto Cordero Carballo, a geotechnical engineer from Costa Rica, highlighted the program's diverse environment: 

This multicultural exchange was one of the hallmarks of the summer school, reinforcing the necessity of global cooperation in addressing seismic hazards.

The enthusiasm and positive experiences were also echoed in the participants’ feedback, which reflects their overall satisfaction with the course. Below are the key insights gathered from participant responses regarding their engagement, understanding, and likelihood of future involvement in GEM-EGU events.

Participant Feedback on Course Impact and Future Engagement

Impact on Scientific Growth and Application of Knowledge

As the chart highlights, participants overwhelmingly appreciated the course’s depth and practical applications, particularly in enhancing their understanding of geohazard risks and increasing their confidence in using tools like OpenQuake. The majority expressed strong interest in future training sessions, reinforcing the value of comprehensive hands-on workshops.

Looking Ahead: Education as a Tool for Resilience

The event concluded with group presentations, during which participants demonstrated their skills by analysing ground-shaking scenarios and estimating potential losses. The success of this year’s program has already sparked anticipation for the next edition in 2025. As the participants head back to their home countries, they carry the skills, insights, and connections needed to overcome the complex challenges posed by earthquakes and related hazards.

Interest in Topics for Future Training

Participants expressed interest in a variety of advanced and specialized topics for future training, including:

A Collaborative Effort: Contributions from Leading Experts and Organisations

The foundation of this success was the invaluable expertise and dedication of its trainers and presenters. Highlights included presentations on risk reduction in Lisbon, landslides, liquefaction, and vulnerability modelling by Cláudia Pinto from the City Hall of Lisbon, Prof. Maria Durante from the University of Calabria, Dr. Stavroula Fotopoulou from the University of Thessaloniki, Dr. Finn Løvholt from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Prof. Fatemeh Jalayer from University College London, and Prof. Meera Raghunandan from the Indian Institute of Technology of Bombay. Notably, Dr. Al Mouayed Bellah Nafeh, Dr. Christopher Brooks and Dr. Catarina Costa from the GEM Foundation also played key roles in the instruction.

Additionally, PhD students Lana Todorović and Zarin Karim Zadeh delivered modules using OpenQuake, showcasing a “student surpassing the master” moment. A heartfelt thanks goes to the Universidade de Aveiro, European Geosciences Union (EGU), the European project Geo-Inquire, and the participants, whose enthusiasm made the event a memorable experience.

##