Research briefs

Keep up to date with the latest research on disaster risk and resilience on the PreventionWeb knowledge base.

Explore cutting-edge research on disaster risk reduction and resilience through PreventionWeb's dedicated research briefs section. Our platform curates and highlights the most recent academic studies, providing valuable insights into disaster risk management. Each research brief distills key findings from peer-reviewed journals and academic publications.

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These briefs are designed to keep you informed about the latest scientific advances. Links to the full publications are always included, ensuring easy access to in-depth knowledge. Please note that this section exclusively features academic research, distinct from reports by international organizations or Non-Governmental Organisations.

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Buildings collapsed following a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Venezuela, 2026.
Research briefs
Forecasting research could help millions living in earthquake-prone regions

A decade-long study of earthquake activity in California has provided the strongest evidence to date that forecasting models can reliably describe patterns of earthquake activity over the following day.

University of Bristol
Breathtaking aerial shot over a winding river in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, showcasing the region's serene natural landscape.
Research briefs
How much of a basin's drainage network should flood models capture?

As climate change is expected to increase the risks associated with extreme rainfall and flooding, managing floods requires approaches beyond conventional infrastructure such as dams and reservoirs.

Phys.org
Research briefs
Oil and gas development heightens risk of valley fever

Kern County has more cases of valley fever and more fossil fuel wells than anywhere else in California. A new study suggests this might not be a coincidence.

Eos - AGU
Research briefs
AI reveals how a warming climate will intensify NZ’s most extreme downpours

The most damaging weather events are the record-breaking “one-in-100-year” disasters communities have usually only seen once. But understanding how these rare events could change in the future is hard.

Conversation Media Group, the
Engaging conference with speaker presenting programming concepts to audience.
Research briefs
How policy hackathons can help accelerate climate adaptation

How do you make decisions about climate adaptation when risks are interconnected, knowledge is incomplete, and there is no obvious way forward?

Deltares
Research briefs
Australia urgently needs a national bushfire database. Here’s what it could look like

Beyond coordination, a national database could help Australia more fairly distribute bushfire management resources and facilitate the sharing of expertise, equipment and systems.

Conversation Media Group, the
Research briefs
Long after the Maui fires, toxic metals linger in residents’ bodies

The toxic exposures didn’t begin with the flames. Researchers are examining how fires impacted a community already harmed by plantation agriculture, development, and colonialism.

Grist Magazine
A breathtaking aerial shot of a Maldives atoll with vibrant blue waters and green islands.
Research briefs
How rewilding could help atoll islands keep pace with rising seas

Healthy ecosystems may give some of the world’s most vulnerable islands a better shot at survival, new research shows.

Inside Climate News