Why join ecorisQ?
At the heart of ecorisQ is a global community of dedicated professionals. By joining us as a member, you access a trusted network and transparent tools that support reliable natural hazard analysis.
Membership reflects your commitment to transparent hazard analyses and sustainable solutions, grounded in integrity, collaboration and scientific excellence.
News
New version SlideforNET 2023
- Details
During the last years we were working on the improvement of the online tool “SlideforNET”, now available here. The tool supports specialists in the assessment of hazards due to shallow landslides on vegetated slope and in the quantitative evaluation of bioengineering measures following normed approaches such as the use of reliability index or partial security factors (including the one for root reinforcement!!). Moreover, the new table “Stand diagram” supports foresters in the decision of interventions in protection forests. The major technical improvements consist in the implementation of new root reinforcement data, improved stability calculations described in van Zadelhoff et al. (2022), based on the results of Cohen and Schwarz (2017) and Schwarz et al. (2015).
Using timber to counter natural hazards
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In collaboration with Lignum, ecorisQ published a summary description of the use of timber in hazard mitigation structures against erosion and landslides, as well as in torrent control and avalanche protection. This easy-to-read and hands-on publication presents tried and tested constructions and their applications. Therefore, this publication not only aims at experts in forestry construction
engineering, but also at planners in natural hazard prevention and those interested in building with wood in general. The publication
pdf
can be publicly downloaded here(6.66 MB)
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Repeat performance – climate change, extremes, records, atmospheric rivers – what’s next?
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Europe battles high temperatures, fires, and record low river levels that have exposed historical artefacts not seen for centuries while New Zealand experiences its wettest winter on record. What is happening, and are our natural hazards becoming well, more hazardous and more frequent?
Many parts of New Zealand experienced the wettest July since records began. Then in August a tropical atmospheric river brought unprecedented rainfall to several parts of the country causing flooding, landslides and damage to infrastructure which will run into the millions to repair. This last deluge was on top of already wet ground and a sodden landscape. While rainfall intensities were not particularly high in many places, the sheer volume of water in and on the landscape exceeded thresholds for failure in many localities.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities. However, many houses were damaged, and a number have been condemned. Insurance claims will be in the many hundreds of millions of dollars. Main roads between towns in the upper South Island are closed, and many rural roads damaged so badly that it may take months to years to provide access to isolated communities and households.
What we used to consider as a 1 in 100-year event appears to now be occurring more frequently, though we don’t have long record lengths for many areas of the country. Some communities who have been affected multiple times in recent years will now need to find ways to adapt to these new conditions or abandon the places they call home. They and the country will soon no longer be able to afford to foot the bill for repeat damage in the same locality as the insurance industry looks towards withdrawing cover from such areas.
Climate change in action or part of natural variation? Either way, our understanding and management of natural hazards needs more attention than it has received in the last few decades. Otherwise, our communities will continue to be unprepared and look to blame someone else for the impacts that arise.
