Global Earthquake Hazard Frequency, Distribution, and Risks, 1976-2002

This data set is part of the Natural Disaster Hotspots Collection of global geospatial data of six major natural hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, floods, drought, and cyclones). It provides a 2.5 minute grid representing spatial coverage of actual earthquake events exceeding 4.5 on the Richter scale during the time period 1976 through 2002 and a 2.5 minute grid predicting localities where there exists a 10 percent chance of exceeding a peak ground acceleration (pga) of 2 meters per second per second (approximately one-fifth of surface gravitational acceleration) in a 50 year time span. Also included are 2.5 minute grids representing the associated risks of mortality and economic loss from these hazards. Risk levels are estimated by combining hazard exposure with historical vulnerability for two indicators of elements at risk (gridded population and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per unit area) for each of the six natural disaster hazards. The risk levels are conveyed at sub-national scales and can be used to inform a range of disaster prevention and preparedness measures, including prioritization of resources, targeting of more localized and detailed risk assessments, implementation of risk-based disaster management and emergency response strategies, and development of long-term land-use plans and multi-hazard risk management strategies.