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Earthquakes

RAND research related to earthquakes, and the tsunamis that sometimes result from deep-water temblors, focuses primarily on mitigating their effects and improving emergency preparedness and response.

Blog
Earthquake in Turkey and Syria, Facial Recognition, Gun Violence: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, regulating the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, improving data collection on gun violence, and more.
Feb 17, 2023
Q&A
Earthquake in Turkey, Syria: Insights from RAND Researchers
Thousands of people have been confirmed dead in one the strongest earthquakes to hit Turkey and Syria in the past century. As search-and-rescue missions ended and recovery began, a handful of RAND researchers shared some of their initial thoughts.
Feb 14, 2023
Multimedia
Emergency Management in California: Reflections by Mark Ghilarducci
During a November 2022 webinar, Mark Ghilarducci, the Director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), reflected on his more than 30 years of experience and diversified service in public safety and emergency management at the local, state, and federal levels.
Dec 30, 2022
Report
Insuring Public Buildings, Contents, Vehicles, and Equipment Against Disasters
What insurance and financial risk management practices do state and local governments employ for buildings, contents, vehicles, and equipment, and what role does Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance play in these decisions?
Oct 9, 2020
Dissertation
Improving the Air Force Medical Service's Expeditionary Medical Support System: A Simulation Approach: Analysis of Mass-Casualty Combat and Disaster Relief Scenarios
Uses a simulation tool to analyze the Air Force's Expeditionary Medical Support System to see how it performs, what changes can be made, and the specific impacts on overall patient outcomes for different patient streams.
Jun 3, 2020
Testimony
California's Hospital Seismic Safety Requirements: Cost and Affordability
By 2030, California hospitals will be required by law to remain operational after a major earthquake. How much might it cost to reach compliance by the deadline? And can hospitals afford this estimated spending?
Jan 28, 2020
Blog
Cryptocurrency, Russian Social Media, Congestion Pricing: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on cryptocurrencies, Russian social media influence, congestion pricing, and more.
Mar 29, 2019
News Release
Seismic Safety Upgrades May Cost California Hospitals Billions, Increase Number of Hospitals in Financial Distress
After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, in which 11 hospitals were damaged and eight were evacuated, California adopted SB1953, which aims to improve hospital resilience to seismic events. The law requires hospitals to reduce their buildings' risk of collapse by 2020 and to remain operational after an earthquake by 2030. California hospitals would need to make substantial investments to meet 2030 state seismic safety standards.
Mar 28, 2019
Report
Seismic Safety Upgrades May Cost California Hospitals Billions
California hospitals are required by law to reduce their buildings' risk of collapse by 2020 and to remain operational after an earthquake by 2030. Hospitals have to pay for the upgrades, which could cost between $34 billion and $143 billion statewide. One-third of California hospitals are already in some form of financial distress.
Mar 28, 2019
Journal Article
Geo-targeting Performance of Wireless Emergency Alerts in Imminent Threat Scenarios: Volume 1: Tornado Warnings
This study examines how Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) can be used to warn the public in three potentially deadly scenarios: --A large destructive earthquake; --A Tsunami ; and --A terrorist detonation of nuclear weapon in an urban area.
Oct 5, 2016
Journal Article
Exploring the Effect of the Diffusion of Geo-Targeted Emergency Alerts: The Application of Agent-Based Modeling to Understanding the Spread of Messages from the Wireless Emergency Alerts System
This report examines the effect of the diffusion of geo-targeted emergency alerts.
Nov 23, 2015
Commentary
Another Nepal Earthquake Makes Disaster Relief Planning Even More Important
Leadership, coordination, communication, and involvement of local stakeholders are critical to an informed response to natural disasters. Improved disaster management in Nepal could help limit the suffering of impacted communities and help secure a more successful recovery in the long run.
May 13, 2015
Commentary
Nepal Earthquake Response Shows Need for Better International Planning
The U.S. provided supplies after the earthquake in Nepal, but they piled up at points of delivery because Nepalese customs authorities insisted that standard inspections be followed, even in an emergency situation. These kinds of bureaucratic challenges can be more easily overcome if they are identified and addressed before crises arise.
May 7, 2015
Multimedia
RAND Experts Discuss Nepal and Preparing for Natural Disasters
RAND researchers Jonah Blank and Anita Chandra, as well as Margaret Traub, head of Global Initiatives, International Medical Corps, participated in a media conference call on Tuesday, May 5th, to discuss the recent earthquake in Nepal and the many facets of preparing for natural disasters and dealing with the outcome.
May 5, 2015
Testimony
Catastrophic Risk in California: Are Homeowners and Communities Prepared?
Predictions about the inevitability of a major earthquake in California is generating concern about how to pay for rebuilding after a catastrophic event. Insurance alone isn’t the answer, but exploring ways for insurance premiums to better reflect loss could help homeowners prepare for
Aug 6, 2014
Report
The U.S. Military Response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake
Luck, serendipity, and longtime relationships fostered success in Haiti relief efforts, though actual performance is impossible to measure because metrics and plans were not in place before the earthquake hit. U.S. Department of Defense policy on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief needs to be updated.
Oct 29, 2013
Report
Bridging the Gap: Prototype Tools to Support Local Disaster Preparedness Planning and Collaboration
RAND researchers developed an initial prototype tool to help determine capabilities and resources a locality will likely require during a disaster. The report also describes two social networking tools for local coordination of disaster preparedness.
Oct 12, 2012
Journal Article
Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Terrorism: Do Natural Disasters Incite Terror?
A novel and important issue in contemporary security policy is the impact of natural disasters on terrorism. Natural disasters can strain a society and its government, creating vulnerabilities which terrorist groups might exploit.
Dec 1, 2011
News Release
Proposed Federal Role in Catastrophe Insurance Would Increase Earthquake Coverage
A proposal for the federal government to support state-run catastrophe-insurance programs would increase the number of people buying earthquake coverage in California and modestly lower both uninsured losses and government assistance following a major quake.
Nov 3, 2010
Report
Proposed Federal Role in Catastrophe Insurance Would Increase Earthquake Coverage
A proposal for the federal government to support state-run catastrophe-insurance programs would increase the number of people buying earthquake coverage in California and modestly lower both uninsured losses and government assistance following a major quake.
Sep 28, 2010

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RAND Topic:
Earthquakes

Topic Synonyms:
Quake;
Seismic Event;
Tremor

Research conducted by

RAND Social and Economic Well-Being