Research briefs

Keep up to date with the latest research on disaster risk and resilience on the PreventionWeb knowledge base.

Explore cutting-edge research on disaster risk reduction and resilience through PreventionWeb's dedicated research briefs section. Our platform curates and highlights the most recent academic studies, providing valuable insights into disaster risk management. Each research brief distills key findings from peer-reviewed journals and academic publications.

Submit a research brief.

These briefs are designed to keep you informed about the latest scientific advances. Links to the full publications are always included, ensuring easy access to in-depth knowledge. Please note that this section exclusively features academic research, distinct from reports by international organizations or Non-Governmental Organisations.

Research briefs

1 février 2017

Non-reporting "Did You Feel It" areas can improve intensity maps

A new study says the U.S. Geological Survey's "Did You Feel It?" (DYFI) website can be used to improve maps of earthquake intensity, if non-reporting areas are included in the mapping analysis. The DYFI website collected millions of reports from people who log on to the site to share information when they feel an earthquake in their ZIP code.

Seismological Society of America

Research briefs

27 janvier 2017

Global flood risk to increase five-fold with a 4°C temperature rise

A new study analyses flood risk and economic damages under different global warming scenarios. Findings reveal that, with a 4°C temperature increase globally, countries representing 73% of the global population would face a 580% increase in flood risk. In addition, 79% of the global economy would face a 500% increase in flood damages.

European Commission Joint Research Centre

Research briefs

25 janvier 2017

Preventing tsunamis with deep ocean sound waves - Study

New research by Cardiff University suggests that devastating tsunamis could be halted before hitting the Earth’s shoreline by firing deep-ocean sound waves at the oncoming mass of water to redistribute the huge amounts of energy stored within the wave. This could potentially save lives and billions of pounds worth of damage.

Cardiff University

Research briefs

23 janvier 2017

New Zealand: Earthquake experiences of visually impaired documented

Visually impaired residents' challenges during earthquakes have been documented by Massey University in a research that explores the experiences of 12 visually impaired residents who lived through more than 12,000 aftershocks. The study participants, who experienced the 2010 and 2011 New Zealand earthquakes, suggested 17 actions for better disaster preparedness.

Massey University

Research briefs

23 janvier 2017

Building a locus of control: Protecting yourself from “climate trauma”

The impact of climate change on psychological health is an emerging concern among mental health professionals, disaster response officials, educators, and faith leaders. With “Climate trauma” occurring when either acute or long-term climate impacts cause loss of life or property, studies suggest methods of dealing with stresses of climate change.

Woodrow Wilson Center's Environmental Change and Security Program

Research briefs

23 janvier 2017

Earthquakes triggered by humans pose growing risk

A study finds industrial activity has the potential to induce extremely large and damaging events because small earthquakes can trigger larger ones. The same study shows mining-related activity accounts for the largest number of induced-earthquakes. Hundreds of deaths have occurred in coal and mineral mines over the last few decades as a result of earthquakes.

Conversation Media Group, the

Research briefs

11 janvier 2017

Annual ND-GAIN Country Index reveals biggest movers in climate change adaptation

The Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) Country Index ranks countries on vulnerability to extreme climate events, measuring common factors of successful adaptability to climate change. The latest data released this week shows governance is a major factor for countries improving preparedness for climate change.

Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative

Research briefs

3 janvier 2017

New study estimates frequency of volcanic eruptions

A study sets out the first reliable estimates of volcanic eruption frequency. The study involved comparing records of volcanic ash fallout during last 1000 years and using electron microscopy and chemical analysis to pinpoint at which point volcanic ash clouds had spread across northern Europe.

University of Leeds