10.09.2014: Since this month Prof. Fabrice Cotton has started his position as new head of Section 2.6 "Seismic Hazard and Stress Field".

Being a world-renowned scientist Prof. Cotton's main research interests concern the analysis of earthquake source properties and the characterization of strong ground-motion. The principal focus of his research is the improvement of European ground-hazard models and the development of new inversions techniques related to large earthquakes sources studies. Some of his results are already integrated into modern probabilistic seismic risk analyses. In this context, simulation-based hazard assessments based on a merge of geological, geodetic and seismological information will help to better constrain future earthquake scenarios and shaking levels.

Prof. Cotton was appointed through the Helmholtz Recruitment Initiative on the topic "Hazard and Risk" new section head for Section 2.6 at GFZ. In his previous position as Professor of Geophysics at the Institut des Sciences de la Terre of Joseph Fourier University in Grenoble, Fabrice Cotton was coordinating the international Erasmus Mundus - master programme of "Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology", in association with the University of Potsdam (UP). Currently GFZ and UP are pursuing the implementation of a joint full professorship "Engineering Seismology and Seismic Hazard". The appointment of Prof. Cotton will contribute to establish a world-leading environment for natural hazard training and education at GFZ and UP.

Prof. Dr. Gottfried Grünthal, who retires from the section lead after a fulfilling and productive term of service, will continue his affiliation to GFZ as PI of two research projects.