top of page
florida from speace.jpeg
WEATHER ANALYTIX™ SUPPORT 
14accf83-25e1-481e-a941-257135e6a4e7_200
SCROLL

LIGHTNING 

SUMMARY:

The lightning peril has been banded according to the severity. Event types vary in their tolerance to lightning storms. For example, indoor conference are unlikely to be disrupted by even extreme lightning strike events. 

The lightning bands are calculated according to the flash density and frequency in kHz of historically recording lightning events. 

​

THE SCIENCE:

To date, global lightning recordings have only been widely available for North America though the NOAA Storm Prediction Centre 

 

 

To produce a globally homogenous lightning probability calculator, we had to replicate the lightning density recording approach used by NOAA across the global lightning sensor network. 

​

Ground-based lightning observations in the 3 - 30 kHz VLF band are dominated by impulsive signals from lightning discharges called “sferics”. Significant radiated electromagnetic power exists from a few hertz to several hundred megahertz, with the bulk of the energy radiated at VLF.

By collecting data from the global network of lightning sensors, we use these kHz bandings to producing regular maps of lightning activity over the entire Earth.

​

LOW:

Likely public transport delays such as trains networks and unlikely damage to infrastructure.  

​

Example:

​

 

Lowlightning.jpg

MODERATE:

A lightning storm that in which outdoor events are likely to be cancelled or postponed. 

There may be disruptions to transport.

​

Example:

 

Lightning Moderate.png

SEVERE:

​Highly likely that outdoor events are cancelled or postponed and disturbances to transport.

​

Example: 

​

​

​

LightningSevere.png

EXTREME: 

Outdoor events will be cancelled, warnings issued, damage to infrastructure, and travel suspended. 

​

Example: 

LightningExtreme.jpg

EARTHQUAKE 

naturaldisastericon-cutout.png

SUMMARY:

BirdsEyeView's Earthquake Model provides the probability of a specific Magnitude Earthquake occurring within a 20km radius of the selected location. Earthquake magnitudes provided use the Richter scale. 

​

The Richter scale is a base-10 logarithmic scale, meaning that each order of magnitude is 10 times more intensive than the last one. In other words, a two is 10 times more intense than a one and a three is 100 times greater. In the case of the Richter scale, the increase is in wave amplitude. 

​

THE SCIENCE:

Our Earthquake Model is global and utilises historical 2.5+ magnitude earthquakes recorded from 1900 onwards. We utilise data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Center for Hazards and Risk Research (CHRR) - Columbia University.

 

UNDERWRITING CONSIDERATIONS: 

It is important to consider the damage caused by the each Magnitude Earthquake. 

Therefore, in the table below, we have provided additional information clarifying the expected damage caused by each Magnitude. 

​

​

 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Richter Magnitude 0-1

We cannot feel these.   ​

 

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

I - No Effect ​

Context:

There are >500,000 Magnitude 1 EQ's worldwide each year. 

 

Richter Magnitude 2 

Smallest EQ people can feel.

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

I - No Effect ​

Context:

The UK experiences ~26 Magnitude 2 EQ's per year. 

Richter Magnitude 3

Resembles the vibrations caused by heavy traffic.

​

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

II - III - No Damage 

​

Context:

In EQ prone areas like California, these occur hourly. 

Richter Magnitude 4

This will be felt by people around the epicentre. Very little damage caused. Freestanding objects will move if around the epicentre.

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

IV - V - Limited damage. 

 

Context:

New Zealand experiences ~1 Magnitude 4 earthquake per day. 

Richter Magnitude 5

Damage caused to weak buildings around the epicentre. Limited damage from falling objects. Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

VI - Damage only to weak buildings and sleepers awakened.  

 

Context:

Japan experiences ~2000 EQ's a year, of which ~12 per year are Magnitude 5. Injuries and damage limited. 

Richter Magnitude 6

Cracking of walls, chimneys may fall, and extensive damage to weak buildings. 

Newer buildings in Japan and California, are built to withstand Magnitude 6-8  

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

VII - VIII - Considered to be a strong EQ.

Context:

California experiences Magnitude 6+ EQ's every 3-5 years. Old buildings likely to experience significant damage/complete failure. Newer constructions in Japan and California are designed to withstand Magnitude 6 EQ's. 

L'Aquila_eathquake_prefettura.jpg

Richter Magnitude 7

Severe EQ. Ground cracks and older buildings collapse. Some landslides.

Devastating impact in regions with poor construction. 

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

IV - V - Very powerful EQ. 

Context:

There are ~20 Magnitude 7+ EQ's globally each year. Japan has experience 14 EQ >7 since 2010. 75% chance of Magnitude 7+ EQ in Japan in next 30 years. 

July_5,_2019,_Ridgecrest_earthquake_road_offset.jpg

Richter Magnitude 8+

Extreme EQ. Complete destruction to poorly built infrastructure and significant damage to even modern reinforced buildings. California building codes now require buildings to withstand Magnitude 7 EQ. 

Mercalli Scale Intensity (Approx.)

XI - XII - Few buildings remain standing, bridges destroyed. Soil Liquefaction.

Context:

Magnitude 8+ EQ's occur globally ~1 per year.

EQ's of this size, if occurring at sea, likely to cause Tsunami. 

Members-operations-recovery-rescue-Japanese-Ground-Self-Defense-March-11-2011.jpg.webp
bottom of page