News archive

The second edition of the Summer University on Disaster Risk Management (DRM) will be held in Khorog and Muminabad (Tajikistan) in early summer 2019 (16 to 29 June 2019). In addition to general principles of DRM, the SU will set a special focus on ecosystem-based approaches. The SU primarily addresses students and practitioners from the region (Central Asia); a few places are reserved for participants from European countries. .
 

Analysing Changing Multi-Hazard Risk for Decision Making in Disaster Risk Reduction

Dr. Cees van Westen

is Associate Professor Natural Hazards and Risk Assessment at the Earth System Analysis Group at the faculty of Geo-information Science and Earth Observation (ITC), Twente University, the Netherlands. He obtained his PhD from the University of Delft in 1993. He has carried out research on different hazard and risk related aspects: landslide hazard and risk, volcanic hazard and risk assessment and  technological risk assessment. His current research interest is to develop methods for the analysis of changing multi-hazard risk.

Thursday, February 7, 2019

University of Bern, Institute of Geography Hallerstrasse 12, Room 001, 17:30 – 18:45 with following Apéro

The aim of the research is to develop appropriate tools and techniques to quantify the impact of  disaster events on the natural and built-environment, in a changing multi-hazard context. Long term changes related to slow processes that affect both the multi-hazards (e.g. climate change), the exposure, and vulnerability (e.g. economic changes, population changes) may affect the risk and resilience. Also short term changes induced by disaster events cause abrupt changes in hazard interactions and hazard intensities, as well as in exposure and vulnerability during the recovery process.  The research focuses on how these changes will affect the temporal and spatial patterns of hydro-meteorological hazards and associated risks, how these changes can be assessed, modelled and how these can be incorporated in sustainable post-disaster reconstruction planning.

Röthlisberger, V., Zischg, A. P., and Keiler, M.: A comparison of building value models for flood risk analysis, Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 18, 2431-2453, https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-18-2431-2018, 2018.

CARRIVICK, J. L., HECKMANN, T., TURNER, A., & FISCHER, M. 2018: An assessment of landform composition and functioning with the first proglacial systems dataset of the central European Alps. Geomorphology, 321, 117-128, doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.08.030. 

Abstract: Proglacial systems are enlarging as glacier masses decline. They are in a transitory state from glacier-dominated to hillslope and fluvially-dominated geomorphological processes. They are a very important meltwater, sediment and solute source. This study makes the first quantitative, systematic and regional assessment of landform composition and functioning within proglacial systems that have developed in the short term since the Little Ice Age (LIA). Proglacial system extent was thus defined as the area between the LIA moraine ridges and the contemporary glacier. We achieved this assessment via a series of topographic analyses of 10 m resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) covering the central European Alps, specifically of Austria and Switzerland. Across the 2812 proglacial systems that have a combined area of 933 km2 , the mean proportional area of each proglacial system that is directly affected by glacial meltwater is 37%. However, there are examples where there is no glacial meltwater influence whatsoever due to complete disappearance of glaciers since the LIA, and there are examples where N90% of the proglacial area is probably affected by glacial meltwater. In all of the major drainage basins; the Inn, Drava, Venetian Coast, Po, Rhine, Rhone and Danube, the proportions of the combined land area belonging to each landform class is remarkably similar, with N10% fluvial, ~35% alluvial and debris fans, ~50% moraine ridges and talus/scree, and ~10% bedrock, which will be very helpful for considering estimates of regional sediment yield and denudation rates. We find groupings of the relationship between proglacial system hypsometric index and lithology, and of a slope threshold discriminating between hillslope and fluvialdominated terrain, both of which we interpret to be due to grain size. We estimate of contemporary total volume loss from all of these proglacial systems of 44 M m3 a−1 , which equates to a mean of 0.3 mm·a−1 contemporary surface lowering. Overall, these first quantifications of proglacial landform and landscape evolution will be an important basis for inter- and intra-catchment considerations of climate change effects on proglacial systems such as land stability, and changing water, sediment and solute source fluxes. Our datasets are made freely available

Master's Thesis opportunities in the Unit Geomorphology, Natural Hazard and Risk Research

Research topics for a Master’s thesis with the Geomorphology, Natural Hazard and Risk Research group are assigned based on current research topics (please refer to the research page).  

If you are interested in one of these topics, please contact the contact person providing the following informations:

• short letter of motivation about the chosen topic
• short CV about your studies, formations and experiences
• list with completed courses (year, university, institute) with relation to the topic

We will be pleased to answer further questions by email or in a personal meeting. 

Information on current and completed Master’s theses can be found on the website.

If you wish to write your Master’s thesis in cooperation with other research institutes (e.g. WSL, SLF) or government agencies, please consult with Margreth Keiler in advance.

The topic of this course were landscape-changing processes and the thereby emerging risks in the Rheintal (CH/A), Vorarlberg (A) and Tirol (A). Diverse topics, like mountain slides, floods, debris flows, landslides or avalanches as well as different management strategies, were prepared and discussed. A special focus was the analyses of the spatial and temporal dynamics of landscape-changing processes and the assessment of the future development with respect to changing natural and social systems.

Thanks for the amazing course!

The staff and the masterstudents of the Research Group for Geomorphology, Natural Hazards and Risk Research visited on their field day the Meierisli landslide, which was reactivated during February 2018. In the field the group discussed the dynamics of the slide, the relevance for the Gürbe River and tried to understand the role of the protective mearues. Subsequently you can see some highlights of the field day:

Ein See, der sich zum Glück nur selten füllt

In den Bergen ist oft ein hoher Anteil der Bevölkerung von Hochwasser bedroht. Die wirklich grossen Schadenpotenziale liegen aber im Mittelland – zum Beispiel in Winterthur. Von Lukas Denzler

The Article in German can be downloaded below:

Thomas Tahler, Andreas Zischg, Margreth Keiler, Sven Fuchs

Abstract As financing protection against mountain hazards becomes increasingly challenging and therefore investments have to be prioritized, dilemmas of justice emerge: some local governments and individuals benefit from natural hazard protection schemes, whereas others loose. Decisions on whom to protect often caused contradicting concepts of political understanding, which differ in interpretations of fair resource allocation and distribution. This paper analyses the impact of different philosophical schools of social justice on mountain hazard management in Austria. We used data from a spatially explicit, object-based assessment of elements at risk and compared potential distributional effects of three political jurisdictions. We found that—depending on the respective political direction—various local governments gain and others loose within the actual distributional system of mitigation strategies. The implementation of a utilitarian policy approach would cause that high income communities in hazard-prone areas would mainly benefit. Consequently, this policy direction would encourage the public administration to ignore their own failure in the past natural hazards management and prevention. On the other hand, following a Rawlsians approach mainly peripheral communities would gain from new policy direction who often show besides natural hazards problem mainly large socio-economic challenges. Finally, the most radical change would include the implementation of a liberalism policy, whereabouts the state only provides hazard information, but no further mitigation measures. These findings highlight the distributional consequences of future mountain hazard management strategies and point to the crucial selection of policy direction in navigating the selection of various adaptation schemes.

Keywords Social justice . Political economy . Risk reduction . Distributional consequences . Mountain hazards

The open position is part of the Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks. The goal of the Mobiliar Lab is to study and to quantify the spatio-temporal characteristics of climate risks and natural hazards and their impacts upon the Swiss society. The focus is on applied research and practical applications. The Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risks (www.mobiliarlab.unibe.ch) is part of the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Bern.

We have an opening for a one year PostDoc position (starting as soon as possible or by agreement, possible prolongation).

The Post Doc will work together with other members of the Mobiliar Lab on a project focusing on infrastructure in Switzerland and possible impacts by water-related hazards. The contribution of the Post Doc will focus on analysing and modelling infrastructure networks and implications of interconnectedness and (functional, spatial) interdependencies for a better understanding of systemic vulnerability and risk.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who

• holds PhD in mathematics, physics, computer science, geo-informatics / -statistics
• has experience in modelling complex systems and/or infrastructure systems
• has experience in the application of graph theory
• has excellent skills in programming (Python, C++ and/or other relevant languages)
• likes to work in a trans-disciplinary research environment and to develop creative strategies,
• is interested in applied research,
• is fluent in English.

Basic knowledge in Swiss geography and basic knowledge of German would be an asset. The close collaboration with the Swiss Mobiliar Insurance company offers the possibility to transfer the research results into practice.

The gross salary is fixed according to regulation of the University of Bern and Canton Bern. The appointment will be in the Mobiliar Lab for Natural Risk at University Bern, with an initial term of one year and the expectation that progress would merit reappointment for another half year or more.

Questions regarding the position can be directed to Margreth Keiler (margreth.keiler@giub.unibe.ch). Please send your application (letter of motivation, CV including a publication list, names and addresses of two references, diploma and transcript) in ONE pdf file to Mirjam Mertin (mirjam.mertin@giub.unibe.ch). Review of applications will start by beginning of March, 2018 and will be continued until the position is filled. Interviews are planned in the week of March 19, 2018.

Applications from qualified women are warmly encouraged

For the first time the ATLAS Vulnerability and Resilience for Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland was published in July 2016. The Atlas is an overview on studies on different aspects of vulnerability and resilience relevant in the field of civil protection / contingencies and disaster risk management. Margreth Keiler and Sven Fuchs wrote a Chapter about "Vulnerability and resileince - two complementary factors in natrual hazard management?".

You can find the PDF here.

The group GeomorphRisk from the Institute of Geography at University of Bern and the Swiss Geomorphological Society invite to the guest lecture of Prof. Tom Coulthard on the 28th of November 2016, 18:15 o'clock. You can find more Information about the lecture on the poster: 

During the Interpraevent 2016 (30 May - 2 June) in Lucern, Niki Beyer Portner cordially invites all members of we4DRR to an informal meeting on Monday evening.

Monday from 8 pm at the Restaurant Rathaus Brauerei (they also serve snacks and meals), Unter Egg 2, CH-6004 Luzern,www.braui-luzern.ch

Please contact Niki Beyer Portner via e-mail ( niki.beyer[@]hydrocosmos.ch ) if you plan to attempt, so reservations can be made.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

we4DRR - women exchange for Disaster Risk Reduction (naturgefahren.at)

The group GeomorphRisk is represented by different contributions by several persons at  Interpraevent 2016 in Lucern.

• Block 9: Hazard and risk assessment (Thurdsay): "Natural hazard induced risk: a dynamic individualised approach for calculating hit probability on networks" (Esther Schönthal)
• several posters from former Master's students

The group GeomorphRisk is represented with several contributions at EGU (European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016):

• Session Co-Conveners: "Resilience and vulnerability assessments in natural hazards and risk analysis" (Margreth Keiler)  http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2016/session/20331 (Friday 22. april 2016)
• Orals: "Hot wet spots of Swiss buildings – detecting clusters of flood exposure" (Veronika Röthlisberger, Andreas Zischg, and Margreth Keiler) in session "Spatio-temporal and/or geostatistical analysis of hydrological events, extremes, and related hazards" (Thursday 21. april 2016)
• Poster: "Process chains in high mountain areas and multi-hazards of different scales – the Barsem disaster, Tajikistan" (Markus Zimmermann, Sven Fuchs, and Margreth Keiler) in session "Sediment dynamics and meltwater processes in proglacial environments" (Thurdsday 21. april 2016)
• Poster: "Mesh versus bathtub – effects of flood models on exposure analysis in Switzerland" (Veronika Röthlisberger, Andreas Zischg, and Margreth Keiler) in session "Flood risk and uncertainty" (Tuesday 19. april 2016)
• Poster: "Probabilistic mapping of urban flood risk: Application to extreme events in Surat, India" (Jorge Ramirez, Umamaheshwaran Rajasekar, Tom Coulthard, and Margreth Keiler) in session "Geohazards and Critical Infrastructures" (Friday 22. april 2016)

The group GeomorphRisk is represented at the "Swiss Global Change Day" (12. April 2016)  in Bern by Margreth Keiler and Markus Zimmermann. Their contribution is called "The Barsem deris flow disaster, Pamir (Tajikistan) - a signal for effects of climate change?".

Women exchange for disaster risk reduction (we4DRR) is an exchange network for female experts and should cater women working in research, policy and practitioners in the field of natural hazards and disaster risk reduction. Find out more...

Excursion to the Grimsel and Trift region

Young and young-at-heart geomorphologists have followed the call of Uni Bern’s young geomorphologists to an excursion into the Trift and Grimsel region in the Bernese Oberland. The first day, we visited the Gelmerbahn and its lake, where we were introduced into the geological situation of the region. Thereafter, the KWO took us underground and under the Grimsel reservoir to show us their business, where we had the possibility to watch hydropower generation at first hand. The end of the day brought back to the Spreitloui in Guttannen where we were updated on current research on debris flow and related processes and their consequences. After out stay at Hotel Handegg, the second day was spent in the Trift region. With a stunning view at the glacier, we discussed geological, geomorphological and in terms of the future hydropower project in the area, also social and economic topics. All in all, two days full of interesting discussions, inputs and intercommunication between students and practitioners from various but related research fields.

Many thanks to all participants for their active attendance and to the experts B. Berger, C. Fölmli and W. Thöni from the KWO! For their financial support we would like to thank the Swiss Geomorphological Society and the KWO.

Natural Hazards & Risks
Changes and Challenges

June 17-19, 2015,  Innertkirchen, BE

Natural hazard events and their associated effects have changed considerably in recent years. Geomorphological processes, such as debris flows, are being characterized by different system behaviours, which have led to new and unexpected consequences. These events result in high degrees of damage and increasing losses, in addition to the emergence of new risks. Climate change, extreme meteorological events and environmental alterations significantly contribute to the evolution of natural hazards and risk.

The conference contributes towards building a platform to discuss recent approaches, methods, monitoring systems and analysis methods with respect to topics on changes in natural hazards and risk. Challenges in risk management and future developments of natural hazards in the Alps were also discussed.

Fieldcourse Switzerland/Austria

The topic of this course are landscape-changing processes and the thereby emerging risks in the Rheintal (CH/A), Vorarlberg (A) and Tirol (A). Diverse topics, like mountain slides, floods, debris flows or avalanches as well as different management strategies, are prepared and discussed. A special focus are the analyses of the spatial and temporal dynamics of landscape-changing processes and the assessment of the future development with respect to changing natural and social systems.

Thanks for the amazing course!