Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis or landslides endanger billions of people worldwide. Only if we know more about the underlying physical processes can the effects be minimised. To this end, we aim to develop the next generation of Earth observation systems on the one hand, and innovative systems for modelling and reliably interpretation of the data obtained on the other. In this way, long-term hazard assessment will be possible and particularly threatening geohazards will become more predictable in the short term.
Within Topic 3, we aim to improve our fundamental understanding of the geophysical processes that lead to geohazards with negative impacts on the environment and modern society. Our ambition is to develop new methods to better assess, simulate and predict geohazards and other hazards, such as the consequences of space weather. This is done using research infrastructures such as regional Earth system observatories in Chile and Turkey, global earthquake monitoring networks such as the GEOFON programme, satellite missions, and advanced analytical and experimental laboratories. Our goals are:
All these topics place research activities on a range of physical processes in the context of a temporally as well as spatially dynamic Earth. In turn, the results need to be translated into actual measures such as early warning systems that help mitigate such events, especially – but not exclusively – for urban environments.
More details will follow shortly.