Department Seminar - Speaker: Gabriel Gonzalez
Description
Understanding seismic and tsunami hazards in the Chilean subduction zone: lessons and perspectives from the framework of interdisciplinary studies
Abstract:
The aftermath of the 2010 Mw8.8 Maule Earthquake and the 2011 Mw9.1 Great East Japan Earthquake brought to light a fragmentation that exists between science, stakeholders and community. New discoveries and observational methodologies from the earthquake and tsunami sciences were not enough to diminish the impact of these two great earthquakes and their coupled tsunami events. As a consequence of these recent devastating tsunamis, Chile calculated 156 victims and Japan nearly 13,000. In order to avoid the future impact of natural disasters in Chile, in 2011 the National Science Foundation of Chile (CONICYT) launched a competitive call to create the first center for interdisciplinary studies of disaster risk reduction. This competitive application call was aimed to develop the scientific basis for an efficient and effective transference of the new knowledge of hazard-risk sciences to the public. After eight years in its development, CIGIDEN (National Research Center for Integrated Natural Disaster Management) has become a key component of the disaster mitigation strategy of Chile. CIGIDEN is a consortium formed by four Chilean Universities in which participate geoscientists, engineers, sociologists, psychologists, urban planners, journalists and anthropologists. In this talk I will present some key lessons for Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies learned from studying the most recent earthquakes, which occurred in Chile, the 2010 Mw8.8 Maule Earthquake, the 2014 Mw8.1 Iquique earthquake and the 2015 Mw8.3 Illapel Earthquake. I review the most important scientific milestones, which have been developed with an interdisciplinary perspective for disaster risk reduction. Key aspects revisited in this talk are: How to generate earthquake scenarios using the existing observation methodologies in subduction zones. What are the key parameters of earthquake scenarios for substantial tsunami impact reduction. What is the role of coastal geomorphology for assessing tsunami impact. What are the still pending aspects in reducing the number of tsunami victims. How we can efficiently and effectively transfer hazard science to stakeholders and communities.
For zoom information, please email eas-communications@cornell.edu.
The EAS seminar series continues in its new virtual form this semester. Seminars are loosely organized around the theme of “Hazards.”
Every Wednesday from 12:40-1:30 pm.