FDA - Reports

2024

Noto Earthquake (Japan; January 2024)

The 2024 Noto earthquake in Japan, with a magnitude of 7.5 Mw, occurred on 1 January 2024 at 16:10 local time - seven kilometers north-northwest of the coast of Suzu. The strongest intensity was observed on the Noto Peninsula near the epicenter and towards the Sea of Japan; the quake was felt throughout Japan, including the Tokyo area. A USGS landslide model shows a maximum slip of about 3.7 meters along the fault plane with a total length of almost 200 km.

A tsunami warning was issued shortly after the earthquake, with a maximum wave height of 5 meters predicted for the Noto peninsula. The waves that eventually were mostly just under 1 meter, except in the town of Suzu, located in a small bay, where several boats were damaged and houses along the coast were destroyed. Eyewitnesses reported waves as high as 3 meters. Low wave heights were reported from the other coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk.

CEDIM damage estimates (based on JMA/RL intensity data and Shakemap) average $4.9 bn (with a range of $2.3 bn to $11.1 bn). This estimate excludes significant indirect losses, but includes direct damage to buildings, infrastructure, and production. Most of the significant economic damage is concentrated on the Noto Peninsula, particularly in the cities of Wajima, Suzu, and Nanao.

 

 

Report No. 1 (3 January 2024)

 

2023

Global heat wave (Northern Hemisphere; summer 2023)


The early summer and summer of 2023 were characterised by a series of heat waves of varying length and intensity, some of which occurred simultaneously in different regions of the northern hemisphere. In some areas, previous all-time temperature records were clearly exceeded, while elsewhere new daily or monthly records were set. In June 2023, for example, global mean sea surface temperatures reached levels never before observed. Although El Nino contributed its share to the global temperature anomaly, the value of the positive temperature anomaly of 1.36 K in relation to the reference period 1991 to 2020 especially for the Northeast Atlantic is enormous. The first three weeks of July 2023 are thus globally considered the hottest 3-week period to date.

A consideration of the exposure of the population to the heat shows that in Germany around 7 million people were affected by daily maximum temperatures of over 25 °C (around 40 % more than the average 1980 – 1999). The number of people exposed to daily temperatures of 35 °C and more also doubled (to about 206,000 people). Compared to the summers of 2000 to 2019, the average daily heat exposure was only slightly above average. In the additional examined, such as Italy, Greece, Spain, the USA, China or India, a significant increase in heat exposure during the summer months compared to previous decades is also generally observed. In order to meet the challenges of extreme temperatures, government agencies have adopted heat action plans and implemented various adaptation strategies, including the creation of public fountains and water dispenser systems, which in Germany are best developed, especially in urban areas.

 

Report No. 1 (9 August 2023)
 

Earthquake Kahramanmaraş & Elbistan (Turkey, Syria; Feb. 2023)
EQ
 

On 6 February 2023, two major earthquakes occurred in Turkey and Syria. The highest intensities were observed along an approximately 200 km long section of the East Anatolian Fault between Malatya and Iskenderun (Mw7.8), and along a second fault south of Elbistan (Mw7.5). Based on observations (large number of collapsed buildings and fatalities), intensities above IX were estimated. A large number of aftershocks additionally increased the damage and further increased the overall intensity. Pre-damaged buildings from the main earthquake could also collapse as a result of weaker aftershocks. Casualties and damage were also reported further away from the epicentre. The number of fatalities as a result of the second earthquake is lower, as many people were no longer in their homes at that time and were less likely to suffer damage. However, it can be assumed that the second earthquake contributed particularly to the increase in damage. Rapid damage estimates from the CATDAT model of CEDIM/Risklayer estimate the possible fatalities to be expected with a range of 11,800 to 67,010. The model projects total damage (including buildings and infrastructure) to exceed USD 10 billion. Looking at the event in a historical context, the CEDIM FDA Task Force estimates that it will be one of the 20 deadliest earthquakes (globally since 1900; as of 8 Feb. 2023). In addition, the people on site are suffering from the low temperatures in the freezing zone, which also further complicate the relief measures.

 

Report No. 1 (8 February 2023)
(In German)

2021

Flooding Central Europe (Germany)
BadMuenstereifel1.jpg
 

On July 13 and 14, 2021, huge rainfall amounts of 100 to 150 mm occurred over western Germany as well as in parts of Belgium and Luxembourg. Most of the precipitation fell within 15 to 18 hours. The two federal states North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate were particularly affected (Figure 2). As a result, the gauge on the Ahr River (Altenahr), for example, significantly exceeded its previous record of 2016 (3.71 m, runoff: 236 m³/s), although the gauging station failed completely due to flooding at a value of 5.05 m (runoff: 332 m³/s). Current estimates suggest a level between 7 to 8 m with a runoffbetween 400 to 700 m³/s for this event.

From a meteorological perspective, several factors led to the extremely high precipitation totals. In addition, the highly structured topography of the affected region with partly deeply incised river valleys intensified the surface runoff, and the already nearly saturated soil further supported the situation. All this together finally led to a disastrous catastrophe that claimed at least 170 lives and injured 820 people (as of July 21, 2021) and caused disastrous damage to residential buildings and infrastructure. Initial estimates suggest insured losses of more than €10 billion, with total losses likely to be significantly higher as only around 37 to 47% of buildings have natural hazards insurance. In addition, the infrastructure is massively affected; the federal government expects €2 billion in damage to the transport infrastructure alone.

In the past, there have already been two particularly significant flooding events in the Ahr valley: 1804 and 1910. A comparison with historical records suggests that the values of this year's event are to be ranked lower than for the flooding event of 1804 (estimate: ~ 1100 m³/s). In addition, it is estimated that the 2021 event may have been hydrologically similar in magnitude to the 1910 flood event (~ 500 m³/s). Since the hazard in current flood maps for the Ahr valley is based on discharge statistics based on temporally homogeneous available measurement series (in the case from 1947 onwards), however, the two historical events have not been considered in the hazard estimation so far and the current estimate of the 100-year flood (HQ100) for the Ahr river is "only" 241 m³/s.

 

Report No. 1 (21 Juli 2021)
(In German)
Supplements to Report No. 1 (10 August 2021)
(In German)

2020

Storms Sabine & Victoria (Germany): 

 

Within just 10 days, several extreme low-pressure systems occurred in a very well-defined frontal zone on the North Atlantic. The core pressure of these storms sometimes reached record levels and the pressure dropalso reached record values. The storm fields not only covered the complete northwest of Europe, but also caused major problems in central Europe, as for example at Deutsche Bahn, which temporarily suspended long-distance traffic nationwide. Storm damage was recorded from Iceland to the Alps. On the British Isles, the depressions were also accompanied by higher precipitation amounts, which triggered flooding, especially in Wales. Extremely warm air masses reached Central Europe, allowing temperatures of around 20 °C during the night, which led to new decade and monthly records for the month of February at numerous stations in Germany.

 

Report No. 1 (28 Februar 2020)
(In German)

2019

Tropical Cyclone Idai (Southeast Africa)

 

Over a period of 2 weeks, the long-lived tropical system IDAI hit large parts of South East Africa in the first half of March 2019. In the beginning, it was only the precursors of a tropical cyclone that led to severe flooding in Malawi. A few days later, however, the system passed over the warm waters of the Mozambique Canal and went through all the developmental stages of a tropical cyclone, finally becoming a full-grown cyclone with sustained winds of 195 kph and gusts of up to 280 kph. Shortly after its peak intensity, IDAI fell ashore in Mozambique during the night of 14 to 15 March 2019 a few kilometers north of the city of Beira (Fig. 1). Its slow propagation speed combined with destructive storm surges, heavy winds and an enormous amount of precipitation led to considerable damage and flooding in the region. The remains of the weakening tropical system subsequently caused further severe floods with landslides far inland in the east of Zimbabwe.

A total of around 3 million people were affected by IDAI and its impacts. IDAI claimed several hundred lives and left hundreds of thousands homeless and displaced across the region. To date, IDAI has been the most devastating and deadly tropical cyclone in Mozambique's history.

 

Report No. 1 (30 April 2019)

2018

Super Typhoon Mangkhut (Philippinen)

 

In mid-September, the world's strongest tropical system of 2018 so far, hit the northern main island of the Philippines, Luzon, and southern China. Super Typhoon Mangkhut fell ashore on Luzon on 14 September 2018 causing landslides and flooding and claimed many lives. Mangkhut was the first typhoon of the highest category since typhoon Megi in 2010 that struck the Philippines. The typhoon raged for nearly 10 days through the tropical western Pacific Ocean, its track had a length of 6600 km. At peak intensity Mangkhut hab sustained winds of 287 kph, gusts were as high as 352 kph.

As was the case in the Philippines, extensive evacuation measures were also underway in southern China, where Mangkhut made landfall two days later as category 1 or 2 typhoon in Guangdong province. The storm center barely missed Hongkong and Macau, but the storm surge created new record water levels, fallen trees and major property damage. And for the first time ever, Macau, the Asian gambling capital, closed its casinos because of Mangkhut.

 

Report No. 1 (26 September 2018)

 

Drought & heat wave, Germany

© Marco Kaschuba

For months, Europe was dominated by a large-scale pattern, which manifested itself in constant high pressure, especially over the north of the continent, and which, despite some variations, regenerated itself time and again during spring and summer. In such a blocking weather situation, Atlantic lows with cool, cloudy air and precipitation rarely find their way to Central Europe. April marked the beginning of an extremely warm period, which lasted until the middle/end of August 2018 and made the 4-month period from April to July 2018 the warmest period in Germany since recording began. With maximum temperatures close to 40°C, the German heat record was not broken, but new all-time records and monthly records were set at numerous locations in Germany. Extreme temperatures were also measured in the southwest, northwest and far north of Europe.

The high temperatures were compounded by a drought that had already begun in February, which became increasingly severe with rising temperatures and advanced to a severe drought in Central Europe, which is currently still continuing.

The consequences were and are sometimes dramatic: in addition to devastating forest fires in southern Europe and Scandinavia, there were major crop losses in Germany. In addition, almost all rivers have extremely low water levels in some cases, and all modes of transport (road, waterway, rail and air) have to contend with difficulties and failures, and damage has also occurred to infrastructure facilities.

 

Report No. 1 (18th August 2018)
(In German)

2017

Hurricane Irma, Caribbean and USA

In the first half of September 2017, Hurricane "Irma" caused in the Caribbean and the US serious damage of over 50 billion US dollars. It hit the Leeward Islands, where individual were almost completely destroyed. In the US, there were historic floodings in the Jacksonville region and severe damage due to gale-force winds throughout the state of Florida. "Irma" set several records, among others the longest duration of wind speeds of at least 295 km/h in a tropical cyclone (37 hours).

 

Report No. 1 (September 8th, 2017)

Report No. 2 (October 9th, 2017)

 

Hurricane Harvey, Texas (USA)

On 26 August 2017 Hurricane "Harvey" reached a minimum core pressure of 938 hPa and makes landfall as a category 4 cyclone with medium winds up to 215 km / h and peak winds to 260 km / h at 03:00 UTC near Rockport in the US state of Texas Country. This means the strongest landfall of a hurricane in the USA since Charley on 13.08.2004, which brought the fifth highest average winds (240 km/h) since the end of the 19th century.

The first consequences were a lot of damage caused by hurricane, heavy rain, high waves and the storm surge (+2 m in Port Lavaca) until "Harvey" lost the hurricane status at 18:00 UTC.
The atmospheric environmental conditions prevented a rapid weakening and withdrawal of the tropical storm, which led to catastrophic flooding in the large Houston area for several days, during which the many houses were totally immersed under water.

 

Report No. 1

2016

Hurrikan Matthew, Haiti/Bahamas/Cuba/USA

Hurricane Matthew developed over the Caribbean in the end of September and hit the western tip of Haiti with category 4 on the 4th of October. According to government statements, 545 died and 439 were injured. 128 people were still missing (status: 14th of October). In the following 24 hours, the hurricane hit the very east of Cuba and the Bahamas. There, he increased in intensity. Afterwards, the hurricane relocated towards the North East in small distance to the coast of Florida and Georgia. The center of Matthew reached the mainland of South Carolina as a category 1 hurricane for a short time on the 8th of October. 

 

Report No. 1

 

High Water/ Flooding in Southern Germany, May/ June 2016

Thunderstorms with extreme precipitation intensities occured in Middle Europe from the end of May till the middle of June 2016. Locally enormous amounts of hail (at least small-grained) fell and even single tornadoes caused damage in a considerable degree.
The greatest potential of damage, however, was associated with heavy precipitation, which locally caused large floods and single landslides.
At some rivers (e.g. Ahr, Kocher), the water levels set new historic highs, elsewhere tidal waves flooded streets with meters of water.
In Germany alone the sincere thundery showers caused a damage in the billions. 

 

Report No. 1
(In German)

2015

Earthquake, Nepal/China/Indien/Bangladesh

The 25 April 7.8 magnitude Gorkha earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, including the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Dolakha, has caused devastation in Nepal on a scale not seen since the 1934 Nepal-Bihar Earthquake. According to the Government of Nepal, the Gorkha earthquake and aftershocks have severely damaged or destroyed nearly 900,000 buildings and approximately 2.3 million people continue to be displaced. A CEDIM-led research team conducted 284 household surveys in 177 locations spanning 27 Municipalities/VDCs and 7 districts. 

 

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2014

Typhoon 'Rammasun', Philippines/China/Vietnam

Typhoon "Rammasun" (in the Philippines: "Glenda") hit land in the Philippines on the 15th of July at 07:00 UTC with categories 1-3. Gusts did reach a peak of up to 232 kph. The chinese and vietnamese mainland was reached at 18th of July at 06:30 UTC with category 4 in China and with categories 2-3 in Vietnam. Here, gust speed of up to 306 kph were measured (status: 30.07.2014, 12:00 GMT).

 

Report No. 1 (30.07.2014)

2013

Supertyphoon 'Haiyan/Yolanda', Philippines

The category 5 typhoon made landfall near Guiuan on Eastern Samar at 07.11 at 20:40 UTC and hit with the strongest landfall wind speeds ever observed. Previously, the typhoon had hit the small nation of Palau causing some damage. Wind gust speeds reached a predicted 380 kph shortly before impact.The warm sea water and low wind shear has contributed to the maximum intensity of this typhoon before landfall. The central pressure was estimated 885 hPa (according Joint Typhoon Warning Center), which makes it only the 5th in 25 years in the Western Pacific to do so (Megi 2010, Flo 1990, Ruth 1991, Yuri 1991). The wind speeds have dropped significantly to around 150 kph approaching Vietnam and Southern China (Hainan). Typhoon dissipated 11.11. over China.

 

CEDIM Report No. 2 (13.11.2013) & Supplement (14.11.2013)
CEDIM Report No. 1 (10.11.2013)
Info 4 (08.11.2013)
Info 3 (07.11.2013)
Info 2 (06.11.2013)
Info 1 (05.11.2013)

 

Supercyclon 'Phailin', India

At the beginning of the second decade of October 2013 a very strong cyclone developed over the Bay of Bengal. Super cyclone 02B Phailin showed average wind speeds of up to 259 km/h making the storm a category 5 cyclone, the highest category according to the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. Phailin became one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded over the North Indian Ocean. Phailins track led towards the northeast of India, where the tropical cyclone in the federal state of Odisha made landfall and caused enormous damage.

 

Report 1 (15. Oktober 2013)

Report 2 (22. Oktober 2013)

 

June Flood 2013, Central Europe

Long periods of heavy rain, together with a unfavorable conditions, have caused the large-scale floods in Central Europe. This event has already exceeded in its extent the August 2002 flood and the summer flood of July 1954.

 

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2012

Hurricane 'Sandy', North America

From 25th October on, Hurricane "Sandy" first moved over the Caribbean and then turned in northern direction towards the East Coast of the U.S. and made landfall in New Jersey in the night from 29th to 30th October 2012. CEDIM investigates Hurricane Sandy and its impacts in a near-real time Forensic Disaster Analysis integrating the expertise of CEDIM researchers from various scientific disciplines: Meteorology, Hydrology, Engineering, Geography, Economics, Social Sciences.

 

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Drought U.S.

CEDIM analyzes the drought and record temperatures in the U.S. in spring and summer 2012 and the impact of the drought. CEDIM researchers from different scientific disciplines contribute to the forensic analyses. A first report focusing on meteorological aspects of the drought and heat was released end of August 2012. An updated and extended report focusing also on possible loss and social vulnerability was released on Sepember 24, 2012.

 

Report No. 2 (24.09.2012)
Report No. 1 (28.08.2012)

 

Earthquake sequence, Italy

Two series of strong earthquakes hit the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy starting on Sunday, 20.5.2012 and on Tuesday 29.5.2012 respectively, affecting mostly the provinces of Ferrara, Bologna, Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia. The largest event had a moment magnitude of 6.1 and occurred on 20.5.2012 at 4:04 a.m. local time (GEOFON, see GFZ). It was followed by several aftershocks, two having a magnitude of more than 5. The main shock of the second series, having a magnitude of 5.8, happened on 29.5.2012 at 9:00 a.m. and was also followed by two events of more than magnitude 5 on the same day.

 

Report No. 1

2011

Van-Earthquake, Eastern Turkey

The M7.2 Van Earthquake (Eastern Turkey) of 23 Oct. 2011 served as a first example for a forensic approach. Our team consisted of a seismologist, three engineers, a social scientist, an economist, and a meteorologist. Four reports have been produced: immediately after the event on the situation (24.10), a situation up-date (25.10), one addressing shelter issues, in comparison to previous Eastern Turkish Earthquakes (26.10), and a comprehensive overview report (02.11).

 

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Tohoko-Oki (Honschu) Earthquake, Japan

On the 11th of March in 2011, an eartquake hit the east coast of Honshu (Japan) at 05:46:23 UTC. The Epicenter was located at 142.53 latitude and 38.23 longitude. The Hypocenter was located at 15 km depth. The earthquake had a 8.9 Mw Magnitude.

 

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