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In a significant milestone for the earthquake science community, the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Italy, commemorated its 25th anniversary with a series of seminars and a special issue of its journal, the Annals of Geophysics. As part of this celebration, the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation was invited to contribute a paper, highlighting the longstanding collaboration between the two institutions.

GEM Secretary General Helen Crowley authored the paper, “A Brief Overview of the Past, Present, and Future of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation,” which explores GEM’s evolution from a groundbreaking initiative to a leading authority in seismic hazard and risk modeling. Presented in Rome on October 29, 2024, and live streamed on YouTube, the paper highlighted GEM’s significant impact on global disaster risk reduction efforts.

Past, Present, and Future: The Paper’s Key Highlights

The paper begins by revisiting GEM’s incorporation in 2009 as a global public-private partnership with the bold ambition of democratising seismic risk information. It reflects on how GEM’s collaborative framework brought together scientists, engineers, and policymakers from diverse backgrounds to develop the first truly global seismic hazard and risk models. These efforts culminated in the first release of the Global Seismic Hazard and Risk Maps in 2018, a landmark achievement that remains a reference for risk managers worldwide.

At present, GEM’s work has evolved to address emerging challenges. Initiatives such as the Global Seismic Hazard Mosaic and regional collaborations including those with the USGS and INGV demonstrate GEM’s commitment to enhancing hazard models and extending coverage to underserved regions. On the risk front, GEM’s Global Seismic Risk Model provides critical insights into the potential impacts of earthquakes, helping decision-makers prioritise mitigation efforts and allocate resources effectively. Equally significant is the organisation’s focus on developing tools that are both scientifically robust and accessible to stakeholders, exemplified by the OpenQuake engine, which supports applications ranging from earthquake scenarios to risk-informed policymaking.

Looking ahead, the paper outlines an ambitious vision guided by three core strategic objectives for the next five years. First, GEM is committed to enhancing and expanding its Global Seismic Hazard and Risk Models to address new and emerging challenges, ensuring they remain a vital resource for policymakers and engineers worldwide. Second, strengthening partnerships with diverse stakeholders - government agencies, academic institutions, and private organisations - remains central to promoting disaster risk reduction and integrating seismic risk into broader climate resilience efforts. Finally, GEM emphasises the development of educational resources and training programs tailored to the needs of high-risk, low-resource regions, empowering communities and decision-makers with the knowledge and tools to reduce seismic risk. The organisation also plans to leverage advances in technology, such as AI, to refine hazard and risk assessments further.

An invitation to Join the Effort

GEM’s participation in the INGV anniversary underscores the power of partnerships in advancing seismic resilience. The event provided a unique opportunity to highlight how GEM’s work complements the efforts of public sector institutions managing disaster risk.

For disaster risk managers and policymakers, the paper serves as an invitation to collaborate and get to know how GEM’s data, tools, and expertise are designed to support evidence-based decision-making, from local earthquake preparedness measures to national seismic risk assessments. The full paper can be accessed here, and the presentation is available on YouTube.

Visit or contact us at www.globalquakemodel.org/get-involved or email us at info@globalquakemodel.org if you are interested in understanding GEM’s Global Seismic Hazard and Risk Models, learning about regional applications, or exploring tools like the OpenQuake engine, we can provide a session designed to fit your context. Presentations can be conducted virtually via Zoom or, resources permitting, through an in-person visit.