Is Europe ready for its next big earthquake?

Europe’s high population density and ageing buildings make it vulnerable to earthquakes. From Naples to Bucharest, from Lorca to Athens, the continent sits on active fault lines and tells the story of decades of delayed action.

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In the years following the Amatrice earthquake, Italy has made progress on several fronts. The government launched Casa Italia, a long-term nationwide programme aimed at bringing the country’s building stock into line with international safety standards. Schools have been a priority, with an investment of €4 billion over two years and 850 new seismic safety standards, in addition to the construction of new buildings.

Italy now has some of the most advanced earthquake-ready standards for new buildings. In the longer term, the major challenge is to adapt the vast stock of older buildings without compromising the country’s unique architectural heritage.

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In terms of preparedness, Spain now has both prevention and response plans in place. They include the Sismilor plan in Lorca and the Sismimur plan in the Region of Murcia. The plans set out protocols for early warning, evacuation and self-protection. Emergency readiness has been “substantially improved”, says Gil. “The public is very aware and prepared in case it happens again. Drills and campaigns to remind people of the protocols are also carried out.”

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A 2018 study by Professor Ioannis Doudoumis of Thessaloniki's Aristotle University described Greek seismic regulations as among the most advanced in the world. According to Doudoumis, buildings designed in accordance with the post-1984 codes (reinforced by 1995 revisions) offer far greater resistance than older structures. He also points out that Greece has moved away from the practice of simply amending laws in response to disasters, towards an approach grounded in ongoing scientific research and systematic risk assessment.

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