On average, geohazards (earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and landslides) cause approximately two million deaths and over $1.2 trillion in economic losses globally per century (EMDAT 1900–2022 data)1, representing about 10% of deaths and 25% of economic losses due to all natural hazards. In spite of this, global coordination for geohazard risk assessment remains limited, with no international body responsible for geohazard risk management, and significant gaps in data access, understanding, and information sharing.

 

Fortunately, strong opportunities exist to improve the understanding of geohazards risk globally by connecting existing organizations, standardizing tools and methods, and strengthening collaborative networks. A global geohazards risk network could provide a foundation to ensure effective data sharing, support awareness and advocacy toward enhancing building codes, improving early warning systems, and supporting local level resilience planning.  

 

After much deliberation and many workshops and meetings over the past several years, we are initiating GeoRiskNet as a critical first step in improving the assessment and management of geohazard risks globally. The purpose of GeoRiskNet is to:

 

• Facilitate collaboration and access to datasets, analysis tools and expertise across the geohazards community​.

• Promote capacity development for hazard and risk assessment, particularly in developing countries​.

• Advocate for geohazards within the broader disaster risk management (DRM) and climate adaptation (CCA) communities​.

• Promote and facilitate the development of guidelines for multi-hazard risk assessment​.

 

 

 

How did we get to this point?

 

A number of workshops and seminars over the past few years have considered the potential for exploring the common interests of and promoting collaboration within the geohazards risk assessment community globally. In 2023 the World Community of Geological Survey Organisations (WCOGS), a voluntary global network of national geoscience agencies, and the Global Earthquake Model put together a virtual webinar series on “The Role of geological survey organizations (GSOs) in understanding risk and informing risk reduction actions”.  The seminar series concluded that there was significant demand for better coordination of geohazards information, particularly in the development and application to risk assessments.  At the 2024 Understanding Risk Global Forum in Himeji, Japan, two sessions were devoted to “What about Geohazards?”, highlighting the fact that not all hazards are related to climate change!  

 

What are the Gaps and Challenges?

 

• There is often poor access to information to inform assessment of geohazards risks at national level.

• There is poor coordination internationally for accessing and sharing information and for developing geohazards risk assessment capability. ​

• Geohazards sometimes get “left behind” in a world concerned about climate change, resulting in a poor understanding of geohazards in many parts of the world.

• There is a disconnect between hazard and risk assessment and their application in resilience decision making.

• There is no international organization or body that addresses geohazards.

 

But, there are many opportunities to improve this by bringing together existing organizations and networks, sharing tools and methodologies across hazards and groups and improving coordination and the stature of geohazards globally. In May 2025, a meeting was held on the side of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva to further discuss the concept of a geohazards risk network and to agree on a way forward. To develop a framework, task forces were created on governance, events, and communications.  These task forces met in August and September 2025 to form an initial set of guidance documents toward the launch of GeoRiskNet. 

 

What are our plans?

 

We are launching GeoRiskNet this month to bridge gaps and build synergies within the global geohazards risk community.  We will start by sharing information on geohazard risks and communicating issues of common interest among researchers, disaster management practitioners and the general public. We invite anyone interested in participating to join our mailing list and to share information with us that you think will be of interest to the GeoRiskNet community.  In 2026, we will issue quarterly newsletters with information of interest to the GeoRiskNet community, including articles and event announcements from our members.  We will have periodic seminars, with the first one devoted to the Kamchatka earthquake, tsunami and volcanic eruption which occurred in July 2025, a complex geohazard event.  Please visit our new website (link) for more information! We welcome your feedback!

 

[1] https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/87034