The 2006 edition of the annual publication, the Hazard & Risk Science Review, was published at the recent Monte Carlo Reinsurance Rendezvous.

Researched and edited by Professor Bill McGuire, director of the Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre (BUHRC) and jointly sponsored by Benfield and PartnerRe, the Hazard & Risk Science Review 2006 provides a digest of over 75 scientific research papers published during the last 12 months focusing on the four major areas of natural hazards that are relevant to catastrophe (re)insurance – atmospheric, geological, hydrological and climate change.

The 2006 Review presents a detailed summary of the large volume of research studies undertaken into atmospheric hazards since last year’s record Atlantic hurricane season, including the ongoing lively debate over the role of global warming in increased numbers of more powerful tropical cyclones in the Atlantic.

Also reviewed is a proposal for the use of an alternative system to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale for categorising hurricanes which provides a better means of predicting their disaster potential.

Other key topics covered in this issue include:
• Seismic hazard risk to southern California and latest news from the New Madrid Seismic Zone;
• Anthropogenic seafloor methane threatens submarine landslides and tsunamis – risk to coastal zones including offshore drilling and pipelines over next 100 years highlighted;
• Innovative model for predicting volcanic eruptions unveiled;
• New economic flood risk map for Europe published;
• Slowdown of Gulf Stream and associated currents posing cooling threat to the UK and Europe.

Professor Bill McGuire, Professor of Geohazards at UCL and Director of the Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre commented: “The critical element of the report focuses on the issue of climate change and tropical cyclone activity. While there are detractors, an emerging consensus suggests that rising sea
surface temperatures may be causing Atlantic hurricanes to become more intense over time. If a climate change signal is already becoming apparent then prospects for progressively increased losses, as the Earth continues to warm, are high.”

Download a copy from http://www.benfieldhrc.org/activities/hrsr/h&rsr_2006/index.htm

•Date: 26th Sept 2006• Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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