German Task Force (1993 - 2010)

The German Task Force for Earthquakes aims to conduct interdisciplinary research and coordinate the allocation of scientific-technical experts after catastrophic earthquakes worldwide, and contributes to better understanding of other and/or related natural hazards such as volcano eruptions, fluid expulsions or landslides. The team was founded on March 22, 1993, involving geoscientists, civil engineers, sociologists, search and rescue specialists, and experts from the insurance industry. Since 2010, the Task Force is being implemented in the Helmholtz Network and in the European Project NERA (contact A. Strollo).The comprehensive investigation of earthquake damage contributes to the short, intermediate and long term mitigation of earthquake effects. Teams are assigned to the following four areas of expertise: geosciences , civil engineering, sociology, and economy/ insurance industry. The Task Force for Earthquakes is activated immediately after a natural disaster has occurred. The team collects and analyses data in an earthquake area and is in contact to local authorities to help minimize further damage. Task Force members provide background information necessary for rapid decisions in coordinating rescue and damage mitigation efforts. Later, more detailed analysis of data collected by the Task Force helps to bridge the gap between theory and application. With the resulting knowledge and the help of the industrial nations, developing countries can improve their ability to respond to future catastrophes.

Publicationen

past Task Force Missions: