The non-profit organization GEM (Global Earthquake Model), based in Italy, presented the world's first online earthquake risk maps in all countries, including Greece.
The three maps, which are the product of a long-term international effort and will be renewed every year, reveal which areas of the Earth are most prone to earthquakes, where are the buildings more likely to suffer from earth shakes and which areas are most exposed the seismic risk due to the large number of buildings that may collapse.
The creation of the maps has taken into account a variety of factors, such as building materials, how many floors they have, if they meet the earthquake-proofing specifications, etc. The aim of GEM is to provide models of real seismic risk for each country so that it can be calculated for possible future material damage, which is difficult so far, especially for developing countries.
The most vulnerable areas
As the GEM seismic hazard map shows, Crete is among the most vulnerable areas for earthquakes, and damage to the ground, buildings, and also earthquake-resistant buildings.
The GEM initiative was created in 2007 by research institutes and the OECD, with the financial support of the large German reinsurance company Munich Re. Digital maps incorporate more than 30 national and regional seismic risk models from various actors such as the US Geological Survey, China Earthquake Management and the competent authorities of Japan.
Since 1980, 92% of all earthquake victims have been in developing and emerging low and middle income economies. About six out of ten earthquakes (61%) occur each year in these countries. On the other hand, only 3.6% of the total victims, but more than 60% of material damage, is recorded in developed richer countries with extensive building and other infrastructure. About two thirds of all buildings on Earth are in only 15 countries.
From: https://flashnews.gr/post/373952/oi-pio ... ths-krhths