Loss caused by earthquakes: rapid estimates

Timely and adequate action just after a strong earthquake can result in significant benefits in saving lives, as well as other benefits. For these cases, information about possible damage and expected number of casualties is very critical for taking decision about search, rescue operations and offering humanitarian assistance. Such rough and rapid information may be provided by, first of all, “global systems” (i.e., systems that are operated wherever the earthquake has occurred on the globe), in emergency mode. This paper gives a brief history of existing “global systems” and analyzes the factors which influence the reliability of earthquake impact simulation in near real time.