A numerical model was developed to simulate tsunami run-up in a densely built-up area by introducing internal hydraulic conditions on building footprints. Computation showed good agreements with observation on maximum wave heights and wavefront speed in streets in the 2011 Tohoku tsunami. An indicator for tsunami impact was introduced based on observed distribution of washed-out houses, and a numerical experiment suggested that building array improvement would reduce damage of houses remarkably.

In this paper we provide new and original data which show the deformation behaviour close to the seismogenic segment of the Mt Vettore normal fault system during co-seismic deformation (30 October 2016 M_w  = 5.9. This foresight allowed us to record the second (strongest) event (M_w  = 6.5) of 30 October 2016. We identified the specific fault zone that was most vulnerable to future seismic events just north of the fault segment that reactivated on 24 August.

Flood defences, such as levees, emergency storage basins or storm surge barriers, can be designed as multiple lines of defence. If each line of defence has a number of possible levels, the total number of possible system configurations can be large. This paper presents an approach that is able to find an optimal configuration including future adaptations of such a flood defence system, based on an economic cost–benefit analysis.

We demonstrated an assessment of the sediments caused by a catastrophic avalanche, induced by the main shock of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake in Nepal. A Japanese space-borne sensor, PALSAR-2, have a high potential for delineating the hazardous zone. Comparison of pre- and post-high-resolution topographic data estimates the avalanche-induced sediment volume as 5.51 × 10⁶ m³. High-resolution satellite imagery revealed that it has multiple layers of sediment with different physical properties.

Debris flow characteristics in the initiation zones are poorly understood because of the difficulty in monitoring. We studied the relationship between the flow characteristics and the accumulation conditions of the storage in an initiation zone of debris flow. Our study clarified that both partly and fully saturated flows are important processes in the initiation zones of debris flow. The predominant type of flow varied temporally and was affected by the volume of storage and rainfall patterns.

Immediately after an earthquake it is crucial to perform the fastest recognition of the damaged area to rescue as much people is possible and to assess and map the damage scenario. We apply the vehicle routing problem (VRP) to a fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to find the shortest routes and the best take-off sites. The simulation, performed with different autonomy ranges, is carried out in the town of Acireale (Italy), where a real-time accelerometric network has been installed.

This study tests the potential for developing empirical drought impact functions based on hydro-meteorological drought indicators as predictors and text-based reports on drought impacts as a surrogate variable for drought damage. We showcase three data-driven modeling approaches and assess the effect of impact report quantification method.

Unmanned aerial vehicles are widely used in the emergency investigations of major natural hazards in a large area, but less commonly for single geo-hazards. Based on a number of successful practices in the Three Gorges Reservoir area, China, a complete UAV-based emergency investigation method of single geo-hazards is concluded. It can not only greatly reduce the time, strength and risks, but can also provide high-accuracy, high-definition valuable information to support emergency responses.

It is well known that volcanoes and earthquakes are associated, and some active volcanoes cause damaging earthquakes. Nonetheless, volcanoes usually are not pinpointed on a hazard map, as the effects of shallow, volcanic earthquakes can be overshadowed by stronger tectonic earthquakes in the region, particularly when long exposure periods are considered. In this study we faced some challenges with software implementations and original concept scheme for an original PSHA at Mt. Etna, Italy.

In this paper, we present the results of an alternative seismogenic source model for use in a probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Italy that integrates active fault and seismological data. Combining active faults and background sources is one of the key aspects in this type of approach. The strength of our approach lies in its ability to integrate different levels of available information for active faults in Italy or elsewhere.

In this study, based on a 10-year ship accident dataset released by the International Maritime Organization, we analyzed the sea state characteristics during ship accidents that occurred in weather-related conditions. It is found that sea states of co-existed wind sea and swell, with close wave periods and oblique wave directions, represent threats to sailing vessels. We hope that these findings are valuable references to the study of shipping safety and also extreme wave mechanisms.