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.

Uploaded on
Research briefs

Earthquakes shaking up New Zealand’s water systems

Recently published research from Victoria University of Wellington and GNS Science has provided a unique insight into the hydrological effects of earthquakes in New Zealand. The different ways groundwater systems respond to the type of earthquake shaking is critical to understanding how landslides evolve in both the short and long term.
Victoria University of Wellington
Research briefs

2016 Ecuador tsunami and tremor data could predict future earthquake impact, analysis suggests

New research led by Brunel University London has revealed the potential threat of a large earthquake and tsunami off the shore of Ecuador and Colombia, to the north of last year’s major tremor. The 2016 event was the largest damaging earthquake to hit the area in decades.
Brunel University London
Research briefs

Natural measures to prevent floods valuable but not ‘a silver bullet’, say researchers

Natural measures to manage flooding from rivers can play a valuable role in flood prevention, but a lack of monitoring means their true potential remains unclear, researchers say. Such measures, including river restoration and tree planting, aim to restore processes that have been affected by human activities such as farming, land management and house-building.
Oxford University
Research briefs

Louisiana wetlands struggling with sea-level rise four times the global average

Without major efforts to rebuild Louisiana’s wetlands, particularly in the westernmost part of the state, there is little chance that the coast will be able to withstand the accelerating rate of sea-level rise, a new Tulane University study concludes.
Tulane University
Research briefs

Increase in extreme sea levels could endanger European coastal communities

Massive coastal flooding in northern Europe could happen every year if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, according to a new study. This will likely push existing coastal protection structures beyond their design limits, leaving a large part of Europe’s coastal zones exposed to flooding.
European Commission Joint Research Centre
American Geophysical Union
Research briefs

Australia: Why apartments are failing the heat stress test

If a heatwave hit Melbourne and the power blacked out, most apartment buildings would bake, with indoor temperatures exceeding international health standards, according to a new analysis that calls for Australia to adopt standards to protect occupants against heat stress.
University of Melbourne
Research briefs

Floods and hurricanes predicted with social media - Study

Social media can warn us about extreme weather events before they happen – such as hurricanes, storms and floods – according to new research by the University of Warwick. Key words and photos on social media can signal developing risks – like water levels rising before a flood.
University of Warwick
Research briefs

Traveling droughts bring new possibilities for prediction

Droughts can travel hundreds to thousands of kilometers from where they started, like a slow-moving hurricane. A new study sheds light on how these droughts evolve in space and time, bringing vital new insight for water managers.
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

Is this page useful?

Yes No
Report an issue on this page

Thank you. If you have 2 minutes, we would benefit from additional feedback (link opens in a new window).