The federal government wants more earthquake preparedness
The federal government wants to further improve earthquake preparedness - it has updated the program of measures. The focal points include quality assurance in earthquake-resistant construction, the creation of a national earthquake risk model and the further development of precautionary planning.
Earthquakes are a rather rare but real and serious hazard in Switzerland. For example, the earthquake of March 6, 2017 in the canton of Glarus with a magnitude of 4.6 was felt in large parts of Switzerland; there was minor damage in isolated cases. Statistically, earthquakes of this magnitude occur in Switzerland about every five years. A quake that causes major damage can be expected in Switzerland every 50 to 150 years.
Eight focal points defined
As the owner, the federal government is responsible for the earthquake protection of its buildings and facilities and requires the implementation of the applicable requirements for earthquake-resistant construction for infrastructure facilities within its area of responsibility. In addition, it is responsible for earthquake monitoring, alerting and national hazard assessment. In the event of an incident, it also supports the cantons in civil protection.
The federal program of measures, which was only adopted on December 11, 2000, aims to ensure comprehensive earthquake risk management at the federal level. Since then, the program has been updated every four years. At its meeting on June 16, 2017, the Federal Council defined the following priorities for the period 2017 to 2020:
- Ensure institutionalized cooperation at the federal level
- Complete the renewal of the national seismic measurement networks.
- Improve the basis for hazard assessment and seismic safety requirements.
- Create an earthquake risk model for Switzerland.
- Complete the seismic safety inventory of major federal buildings at home and abroad.
- Ensure the quality of seismic protection in construction projects of the federal construction and real estate agencies.
- Develop principles and criteria for the assessment and treatment of applications from the cantons for special federal financial assistance in the event of an earthquake.
- Establish a concept for the development and operation of a claims organization in cooperation with the insurance companies and the cantons.
Protection from earthquakes during construction
A robust and safe construction method for buildings and infrastructures is fundamental for protection against earthquakes, according to the Federal Council's communication. All parties involved - property owners, construction experts and building authorities - are responsible for earthquake-resistant construction in new buildings, conversions and renovations.
The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) operates the Federal Coordination Office for Earthquake Preparedness to ensure cooperation and the quality of the implementation of measures at the federal level. In addition, the coordination office is to promote earthquake preparedness among the cantons and associations. The report states that the Bafu will only be able to perform this task to a very limited extent in the coming years due to savings targets set by parliament.
Risk model missing
Currently, there is no model in Switzerland that reliably estimates possible damage from earthquakes. Such an earthquake risk model is now to be developed under the leadership of the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at ETH Zurich. It will be based on regularly updated estimates of earthquake hazard, take into account the influence of the local subsurface and the vulnerability and value of buildings and infrastructure. It will serve as a basis for national and cantonal risk overviews and should allow the responsible authorities to quickly assess what damage is to be expected in the event of an incident.
Prepare for the event
Coping with a major earthquake very quickly exceeds the resources and possibilities of cantons, municipalities and private individuals, especially since there is currently no mandatory insurance coverage for earthquake damage. The federal government must support the civil protection of the cantons in extraordinary situations and, if necessary, apply to parliament for special financial aid. The question of how to organize the recording of damage and how to distribute the released funds to the injured parties must be settled before an event occurs.
Source: Confederation
