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An online repository of multi-hazard fragility and vulnerability models
Understanding risk to natural hazards requires characterization of the likelihood of damage (fragility) and losses (vulnerability) caused by hazards of increasing intensity. Numerous fragility and vulnerability models are available in the literature, which cover different geographies, assets, hazards and loss measures. Navigating these and understanding which are the best models to use can be difficult.
The multi-hazard vulnerability database, MVDat, hosts harmonised fragility and vulnerability functions, which are entered into the database by EPICentre researchers following a bespoke vulnerability data standard. The new vulnerability data standard builds on that developed for the MOVER Project, and hence is compatible with the Risk Data Library and GEM4ALL taxonomy. All functions are also allocated a quality score based on the criteria of Rossetto et al. (2013). The data are verified by EPICentre researchers to avoid duplication, erroneous input of data, and for the attribution of the scoring
The data standardisation, the use of descriptive analytics, and the quality scoring increase the usability and usefulness of the data.
The MVDat database can be searched and functions found for specific assets and hazards via our dashboard:
Currently, MVDat contains fragility and vulnerability functions for buildings affected by the natural hazards of strong winds (including storms, typhoons, hurricanes), earthquakes, landslides, and tsunamis. The dashboard allows function sources to be identified for a user’s specific criteria and allows their visualisation. The functions cannot currently be downloaded from the dashboard.
This service is in continued development as part of WP3 within the Geo-INQUIRE project and the data distribution follows the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).
Updates:
7/08/2025 – Dashboard live
References:
Rossetto, T., D’Ayala, D., Ioannou, I. and Meslem, A., (2013). Evaluation of existing fragility curves. In SYNER-G: Typology Definition and Fragility Functions for Physical Elements at Seismic Risk: Buildings, Lifelines, Transportation Networks and Critical Facilities (pp. 47-93). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.