A Comparative Earthquakes Risk Assessment Approach Applied to the United Arab Emirates

نویسندگان

  • Samer A. Barakat
  • Abdallah Shanableh
  • Abdallah I. Husein Malkawi
چکیده

This paper presents the preliminary results of a long research project on the assessment and mitigation of seismic risk in major cities in the UAE. UAE’s earthquake activity has long been recognized as one of the lowest in the world. All cities have experienced moderate earthquakes in the past, and will again do in the future. Recent earthquakes in Iran (e.g., Bam in 2003, --in 2005) have killed thousands of people. Because of the different design and construction practices, different population density concentrations and economic activities in the UAE, different damages and losses are likely to be experienced. The impact of an earthquake is not limited to direct losses, such as the loss of life, loss of structures and business interruptions. Earthquakes also cause indirect losses by producing supply shortages and demand reductions in various economic sectors. In a country such as the UAE, which is undergoing an unprecedented constructionbased development with high-rise buildings being the main feature, a large earthquake in a major city can actually cause a considerable economic loss. In this study, a framework for assessing and comparing the risk associated with the adverse consequences of earthquakes in the UAE is presented. The framework is based on a simple risk-characterization model that is used to assess the health risks associated with toxic chemicals. The model: ER, Pop RF D Risk × × × = adopted to fit our purpose of estimating the risk associated with the consequences of earthquakes, the various parameters in the above mentioned model are translated as follows: Dose (D)= seismic “force” at a specific location or weighted for an area; Response Factor (RF) = degree of damage or losses per unit “force”; Population (Pop) = a factor representing exposed population. Equivalent populations may also include exposed environment or exposed infrastructure. Emergency Response (ER) = effectiveness of available emergency response programs to reduce risk immediately as the adverse effects take place. It should be noted that emergency response in this case is different than deliberate risk management. First, the earthquake hazard and risk in the UAE, including the estimation of the amplitudes of the ground motion parameters, is stochastically assessed. Then the comparative risk framework to assess the relative impacts on people and buildings in the seven emirates and the major cities of the UAE is applied. The result is a ranking system for risk that is being integrated within a geographic information system (GIS). The database is intended for detailed development to maximize benefits to the various stake holders in the community.

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

منابع مشابه

Impacts of Teachers’ Pedagogical Approach on the Inclusion of Adolescents with Exceed Weight into Physical Education and Sports in Emirate of Ajman/United Arab Emirates

Background. Physical Education and Sports (PES) is essential to the student’s overall education. It has physical, affective, psychological, and social repercussions. Overweight adolescents are sometimes underestimated based on their lower physical performance and suffer from discriminatory attitudes by their peers and their physical education teachers. Objectives. This study aimed to investiga...

متن کامل

Aflatoxin M1 in Ultra High Temperature Milk Consumed in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Background: Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a mycotoxin found in milk that has a carcinogenic effect and poses significant public health risks. Since the human population's consumption of milk and milk products are quite high, thereby increasing the risk of exposure to AFM1 is of great threat. To assess public health hazards associated with the occurrence of AFM1 in Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk, a ...

متن کامل

Practices and Attitudes to Prevention of Travel-related Infectious Diseases in United Arab Emirates

Introduction: Among the United Arab Emirates (UAE) population more and more people now consider travelling abroad. This is potentially problematic because travelling enhances exposure between hosts and pathogens and so people that travel are putting their health at risk. This concern makes it necessary that public education is provided to inform people of the risks of travellin...

متن کامل

A comparative study for quality of local and imported commercially available bottled water brands

 In this study the quality of Omani and United Arab Emirates bottled water brands which are sold in Oman were assessed by comparing the chemical composition indicated on manufacturer’s label with local and international bottled water standards. Results indicated that all the bottled water brands are complying with local and international standards. According to piper diagram, t...

متن کامل

Prevalent Poisonings in Adolescents and Adults in Dubai: A Compendium from Rashid Hospital

Background: Profile of acute poisonings varies from country to country depending on the ease of availability of substances and socio-economic condition of people; however, very little information from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been published, so far. This study was designed to find out the most common causes of overdose and poisoning in patients admitted to the emergency department of...

متن کامل

ذخیره در منابع من


  با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید

برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید

ثبت نام

اگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید

عنوان ژورنال:

دوره   شماره 

صفحات  -

تاریخ انتشار 2008