Abstract: A forecast system and method for automated location dependent natural disaster impact forecasts includes located gauging stations to measure natural disaster events. Location dependent measurement parameters for specific geotectonic, topographic or meteorological conditions associated with the natural disaster are determined and critical values of the measurement parameters are triggered to generate a dedicated event signal for forecasted impacts of the disaster event within an area of interest. In particular, the signal generation is based upon the affected population or object within the area of interest.

Abstract: A forecast system and method for automated location dependent natural disaster impact forecasts includes located gauging stations to measure natural disaster events. Location dependent measurement parameters for specific geotectonic, topographic or meteorological conditions associated with the natural disaster are determined and critical values of the measurement parameters are triggered to generate a dedicated event signal for forecasted impacts of the disaster event within an area of interest. In particular, the signal generation is based upon the affected population or object within the area of interest.

Abstract: A special purpose entity offers a financial product linked to a charitable organization. A monetary donation is made to the charitable organization for paying a premium assigned to the financial product. Capital payments are received from one or more investors for the financial product. The premium is paid by the special purpose entity to the investors. Upon occurrence of a catastrophic event assigned to the financial product, the capital is paid from the special purpose entity to the charitable organization, for funding relief efforts for the catastrophic event. Otherwise, the capital is repaid from the special purpose entity to the investors. Charities and donors can prepare a country for natural and man-made disasters by putting in place funding before a catastrophic event actually occurs.

Abstract: For determining the impact of an earthquake event, received and stored (S1) in a computer is location information associated with geographic locations. Moreover, received (S3) via a communications network from an earthquake data server is regional intensity data, indicative of ground shaking intensity caused at the geographic locations. An average damage expected at the geographic locations is determined (S4) as a function of the ground shaking intensity. Weighting factors are determined based on population numbers or risk values, and stored (S22) assigned to the geographic locations. An earthquake index, indicative of the impact of the earthquake event, is determined (S5) by adding up the damage expected at the geographic locations, the damage expected at each geographic location being weighted with the weighting factor assigned to the respective geographic location.

Abstract: For managing funding of catastrophe relief efforts, defined is a special purpose entity (1?) which offers a financial product linked to a charitable organization (3). A monetary donation is made (S1) to the charitable organization (3) for paying a premium assigned to the financial product. Capital payments are received (S4) from one or more investors (4) for the financial product. The premium is paid by the special purpose entity (1?) to the investors (4) as a coupon (S10). Upon occurrence of a catastrophic event assigned to the financial product, the capital is paid (S8) from the special purpose entity (1?) to the charitable organization (3), for funding relief efforts for the catastrophic event. Otherwise, the capital is repaid (S11) from the special purpose entity (1?) to the investors (4). Charities (3) and donors (2) can prepare a country for natural and man-made disasters by putting in place funding before a catastrophic event actually occurs.

Abstract: For providing earthquake data for a defined area, stored are locations of a plurality of earthquake epicenters and seismic parameters associated with a plurality of seismic zones. The seismic parameters are indicative at least of magnitude and likelihood of earthquakes in each of the seismic zones. A location of a selected epicenter, within the defined area, is determined (S31) from the stored locations. Determined from the seismic parameters is a selected magnitude (S34) associated with a selected seismic zone comprising the selected epicenter. Established are characteristics of a plurality of earthquake events (S3) in the area over a defined length of time. The characteristics of an earthquake event include at least a selected epicenter and a selected magnitude. Generated is a signal indicative of the characteristics of the earthquake events. Enabled is an easy to maintain earthquake hazard model, having flexible and simple parameterization, and providing earthquake data consistent with historical data.