NaTech database and methodologies for its risk assessment: a review

This study provides an analysis of 1,300 NaTech incidents over the past 70 years in order to identify trends across the database. NaTech incidents can be defined as industrial accidents triggered by natural events such as earthquakes and storms - and have been increasing in both frequency and severity.  The study also examines the risk assessment methodologies for NaTech incidents, divided into quantitative and qualitative approaches. Lastly, the study provides an in-depth analysis of the fire at the TURPAS refinery during the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake.

The analysis of events firstly shows the need for a systematic approach to data collection and organisation, as efforts to accurately understand these incidents are hindered by fragmentation and a lack of standardisation limit information sharing. The risk assessment section of the study emphasises the importance of an integrated approach to risk assessment. Lastly, the case study allows for an understanding of rhetorical severe environmental and economic consequences, and to collate lessons learned from the incident.