HAZUS Loss Estimation Model for Earthquakes
A valuable tool for projecting the costs and damages of a potential earthquake is HAZUS, a loss estimation modeling program, availble at no cost from FEMA. The program is based on geographic information systems (GIS) and uses a community’s existing databases of building stock, census tract data, and other demographic or economic information.
It is used by planners in regions facing earthquake risk to graphically show what can be expected in a catastropic disaster, enabling government and organizations to start mitigation actions now to reduce risk. (website)