Even though the terms earthquake hazard and risk are often used as synonyms, they have different meanings.

Earthquake hazard

Earthquake hazard indicates how often and how intensely the earth could shake at a given location in the future. It is based on tectonic, geological and historical earthquake knowledge, and wave propagation models.

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Earthquake risk

Earthquake risk describes the possible effects of earthquakes on people and buildings and the associated financial losses. The earthquake risk model combines detailed information on the earthquake hazard, the influence of the local subsoil, the vulnerability of buildings, and the affected people and assets.

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