Multi-hazard risk assessment is the process of identifying, analysing, and evaluating the risk arising from two or more hazards that may affect the same area, exposed elements, or system, either independently, simultaneously, sequentially, or through interactions, in order to estimate their combined impacts and support risk reduction, preparedness, and adaptation decisions.
This course introduces the use of geoinformation for multi-hazard risk assessment, focusing on how spatial data, Earth observation, GIS and modelling tools can support disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.
In this course you will learn how to collect, evaluate and integrate hazard, exposure, vulnerability and capacity data for different hazard types, including floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic hazards, droughts, storms and wildfires.
The course addresses single-hazard and multi-hazard approaches, with attention to spatial overlap, temporal coincidence, cascading effects and hazard interactions. Methods include susceptibility and hazard mapping, exposure analysis, vulnerability assessment, risk indicators, scenario development, and qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative risk assessment.
Emphasis is placed on data quality, uncertainty, scale, interoperability and the translation of technical results into decision-support products such as risk maps, dashboards and impact-based early warning information. Through practical GIS exercises and case studies, participants develop the skills to analyse complex risk situations and communicate results for planning, preparedness, emergency response and long-term risk reduction.
Course content
Learning outcomes
After this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the core components of multi-hazard risk assessment and identify appropriate data sources
- Analyse the drivers and triggers of disasters, including extreme weather and seismic events
- Assess multi-hazard interactions and apply hazard assessment methods
- Classify exposed assets and evaluate population data for risk assessment
- Apply vulnerability assessment approaches to multi-hazard contexts
- Select and apply appropriate multi-hazard risk assessment methods
- Evaluate risk and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders
- Produce and communicate a multi-hazard risk assessment