GADRI ACTIONS Summer 2016 Volume 1—Number 1 Welcome to the First issue of the GADRI AcƟons. Contents Since the incepon of GADRI in March 2015, GADRI was quite acve during the first half of the 2016. The First Internaonal Symposium on Flash Floods in Wadi Systems took place at the News 2 Disaster Prevenon Research Instute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Japan from 14 to 15 Message from the Chair 3 October 2015. The conference was aended by over 70 parcipants. Message from the Director DPRI, Kyoto University 4 GADRI Round Table Discussion Workshop: Towards an Integrated Disaster Risk Research Plaorm for Hydro-Meteorological Hazards was conducted on 13 and 16 October 2015. The workshop was arranged back to back with the Symposium and it was aended by Special Topics 5 some of those who aended the symposium. Two workshops were organized under the themac areas of Earthquake and Volcanic Events Disaster; and the Geo-Hazards groups: workshop on Bridging Strong-moon and Earth- Workshops 14 quake Damage on 25 February 2016; and the Workshop on New Generaon of Geohaz- GADRI Representaons 16 ard Mapping and Strategy for Its Social Applicaon on 12 March 2016 respecvely. On 22 March 2016, the First Board of Directors’ meeng was organized. The Board of Upcoming Events 18 Directors’ consists of 3 member instutes from Europe and Africa; 4 members from Asia and Oceania; and 3 members from the Americas. Announcements 19 The GADRI logo and website were launched to coincide with the first meeng of the Board of Directors. Taking advantage of the presence of the Board members, an Open Discussion Forum: GADRI Projects and Acvies were organized on 23 March which was aended in addi- on to the Board Members by Japanese government officials, NGOs, and UN Agencies. All of the events were held at the Disaster Prevenon Research Instute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan which is the current GADRI Secretariat. Highlights Further GADRI was represented at various internaonal conferences and meengs pro- mong GADRI presence and visibility among the internaonal groups. • 2016 Kumamoto Earth- In addion to the GADRI acvies, this Newsleer will present special reports on the quake—The Kyushu Japan earthquakes and its impact on society highlighng the events of the Taiwan Earthquake Earthquake Sequence of February 2016; and the Kumamoto Earthquake 2016. The arcles provide details of the April 2016 - 5 earthquakes, disaster prevenon measures taken, and the impact on society. • We are proud to publish the first edion of the GADRI Acons. We hope to connue 2016 Taiwan Earthquake— Facts and Observaons the publicaon with your connued support and contribuons. from the Kaohsiung Earth- quake on 6 February 2016 Prof. Hirokazu Tatano, Secretary-General, GADRI in Taiwan - 11 On the Cover The photographs are from various research acvies conducted by the researchers of the Disaster Prevenon Research Instute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Japan. GADRI Acons is designed, formaed and edited by Wilma James. 2 Message from the Chair of Board of Directors Prof. Andrew Collins, Leader, Disaster and Development Network (DDN), Northumbria University, UK was elected as the first Chair of the GADRI Board of Directors. It is a great pleasure to Chair the Board of Directors of the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes. The demand for research that strengthens human capacity to reduce disaster has never been greater. This is not an agenda that can be provided by research institutions operating on their own, neither by any particular disciplinary orientation or sector; it is indeed everyone’s business. I see at least three core contributions this alliance can make to address disaster in the interests of human well-being and appropriate developments of the future. This includes across all forms of disaster risk reduction and of disaster response. It will be firstly through the greater and inclusive cooperation and coordination between scholarly institutions engaged in driving the research that informs evidence based learning. Secondly, we will witness that this form of international level alliance can also encourage both specialist and broad dialogue across many nations ultimately impacting on the will of our political leaders. Thirdly, an alliance whose membership is well- grounded in their local and regional communities of practice and society as a whole is capable of effecting change in human behaviour for better. These are fundamental aspects of an agenda that is simply too critical to settle for anything less; to deliver the hope on which we thrive. Congratulations to Kyoto University in providing the first Secretariat for GADRI. On behalf of the GADRI Board I also deliver a warm thank you to all of the many institutions who have already joined or whose membership is forthcoming. GADRI Board of Directors from around the world Board of Directors (BoD) Europe and Africa 1. International Institute for Applied System Analysis (IIASA) 2. European Commission (EU), Joint Research Center (JRC) 3. Disaster and Development Network (DDN), Northumbria University Asia and Oceania 4. International Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University 5. National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) 6. GNS Science 7. National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (NCDR) Americas 8. Disaster Risk Research, Institute of Geography, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) 9. Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado, Boulder 10. Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER), National Information Service for Earthquake Engineering, University of California, Berkeley Secretariat 11. Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University 3 Message from the Director, Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University I wish to congratulate Prof. Andrew Collins, Disaster Risk Chair, GADRI Board of Directors, GADRI Reduction 2015- members and the Secretariat for resonantly 2030 (SFDRR) and moving forward in implementing GADRI the work of the activities. Scientific and Technical Advisory The date to hold the First meeting of the Group of the United Nations Office for GADRI Board of Directors could not have Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), I wish to timed more perfectly than 22 March 2016 as give our assurance to assist GADRI achieve GADRI completed one year since it was even higher heights in the years to come and approved by the Second Global Summit of to share the knowledge and experiences across Research Institutes for Disaster Risk borders. Reduction held at Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, Thank you very much for your continued Japan in March 2015. It was a historical cooperation. occasion as this year 2016, DPRI, Kyoto University celebrates the anniversary of 65 Years since its inception in 1951, and the Natural Disaster Research Council celebrates 15 years since it was established in 2001 by Dr. Kaoru Takara DPRI, Kyoto University as a network of Professor and Director Japanese academicians. Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University As GADRI pursues its goals to support the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Prevention Research Institute, Kyoto University The Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University was established in 1951 and is located at the Uji Campus of the Kyoto University. Today with 65 years of research knowledge and experience, it is one of the pioneering institutions in disaster risk reduction, prevention and mitiga- tion and is recognized as a Global Center of Excellence in the area of disaster risk management. Since its inception in 1951, DPRI has been pursuing principles of natural disaster reduction, establishing integrated meth- odologies for disaster prevention on the basis of natural and social sciences, and educating students in related fields. DPRI has five research institutions. There are over one hundred faculty members and over two hun- dred researchers and graduate students in various disciplines at DPRI, Uji Campus, Kyoto Universi- ty. DPRI serves as a national research center on natural disasters and their prevention and mitiga- tion, authorized by the Ministry of Education (MEXT). Many researchers from abroad and within Japan conduct joint research initiatives using the state-of-the-art experimental and observatory fa- cilities at DPRI. The past decades have been notably marked for the intensity in increased natural disasters. By us- ing accumulated research knowledge, and experience, DPRI strives to enhance its research efforts and respond to the serious needs for the protection of lives and assets of people and society. 4 The Kyushu Japan Earthquake Sequence of April 2016 Prof. James Goltz Visiting Research Professor Disaster Prevention Research Institute Kyoto University This report is based on a review of English preceded this event are regarded as foreshocks of language news media articles, reports available this, the largest earthquake in the sequence. on the web pages of the Japan Meteorological Significant aftershocks of the April 16 event: Agency, the Fire and Disaster Management 1:46 AM April 16 M6.0 JMA Intensity 6- Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and 3:55 AM M5.8 6+ Communications, the Cabinet Office of Japan, the 9:48 AM M5.4 6- Prefectural Government of Kumamoto and the Surface Rupture and Liquefaction: surface United States Geological Survey, and field rupture was observed, as was liquefaction along reconnaissance conducted in several areas of rivers and in other areas