Recent developments in geo-hazard disaster management: focusing on earthquake vulnerability reduction in mountainous regions

The proposed course focuses on earthquake vulnerability reduction and the role of geo-information and earth sciences within this process. The first week of the course will be devoted to creating an understanding of the geologic processes underlying earthquakes, the way in which earth observation and seismological data can be used to monitor these processes and guide local site investigations using geophysical tools and geo-engineering practices.

The course will start with a with a participants workshop. This will give an overview of the expertise and interests of all participants and will facilitate discussions for the remainder of the course. It is followed by an overview of earthquake risk management and the role of geo-information and earth observation (e.g. satellite missions that can be used to study crustal dynamics at a regional scale such as multi-spectral data for land use/cover mapping and updating, interferometric SAR systems for stress/strain estimation).

The second week of the course will focus on the sustainable use of geo-information for hazard and risk assessment and earthquake vulnerability reduction measures, by municipal authorities, and government organizations and also by NGO’s, working in the field of development planning. The course ends with a participants workshop, with different presentations and evaluation of the course.

Specific course topics in chronological order that will be treated include:

Week 1: conceptualization of geodynamics and earthquakes
- Introduction to the course (1 day)
- Geodynamics and earthquakes (½ day)
- Recent developments in remote sensing to earthquake risk management (½ day)
- Image interpretation for earthquake risk management (1½ day)
- RADAR (SAR) and interferometric SAR (InSAR) for ground motion detection and monitoring (2 days)
- Regional seismic hazard techniques (1½ days) 
- Local site investigations applying shallow subsurface geophysics and engineering (1 day)

- Weekend excursion and site visits (2 days)
- Earthquake loss estimation and data requirements (1 day)
- Earthquake vulnerability reduction measures (1 day)
- Conclusions and evaluation.

Objectives
- to communicate the current state of the art in geodynamics and seismology, earth observation, geo-engineering, geophysics, GIS modelling and decision support for earthquake hazard assessment.
- to strengthen the knowledge and skills of earth scientists from in the use of spatial information for earthquake hazard assessment.
- to improve understanding of the role and responsibilities of the various stakeholders in earthquake disaster risk management and to discuss the various methods for earthquake hazard and risk assessment and earthquake vulnerability reduction.
- to demonstrate to the participants the design and set-up of a disaster management information system.
- to strengthen connections with NFP alumni.
- to strengthen connections between ITC, NCEG, ICIMOD, and other partners in the region.
 
Admission requirements
Applicants should preferably be NFP alumni, having completed a relevant NFP-funded training or education course at least two years prior to the planned starting date of the refresher course. General requirements are proficiency in the English language as well as basic skills in GIS. Preference will be given to candidates matching the above mentioned target group.