The EFEHR platform brings together data from seismologists and engineers to assess risk and strengthen community resilience. Seismic risk assessment, also known as seismic hazard, determines the potential impact of future earthquakes on infrastructure and citizen safety. Such an assessment requires information on building and population densities, structural vulnerabilities, and local ground conditions. With the introduction of the European Seismic Risk Model ESRM20 in 2020, Europe has the first open and harmonized framework for calculating seismic risk. The model emphasizes that old buildings, densely populated areas and areas of high seismicity form the risk map. Despite the existence of modern standards, thousands of old or insufficiently fortified buildings remain objects of increased danger.
The EFEHR consortium and the EM-DAT database document that earthquakes caused more than 200,000 deaths in Europe during the 20th century, with the largest losses occurring in Italy and Turkey. The risk map divides areas into low, medium and high hazard zones, helping in anti-seismic planning and preventive measures.
Using the platform, authorities can compare seismic risk between countries, improve prevention measures and reduce possible economic and human losses.
The most dangerous areas in Europe include Turkey, Greece, Albania, Italy and Romania, and cities such as Istanbul, Izmir, Athens, Catania and Bucharest face particularly high seismic hazards.
It is noted that several zones marked in red have been identified in Cyprus, including free Famagusta, as well as parts of Limassol, Paphos, Larnaca and Nicosia.
Source: reporter.com.cy
