Europe has a long and complex history of seismic activity. The convergence of the Eurasian and African plates across the Mediterranean has resulted in a wide zone of collision tectonics and the formation of smaller microplates along the plate boundary zone. Seismic activity generally decreases northward away from the Mediterranean region through the Alps.  North of the Alps, within the interior of the Eurasian plate, earthquakes are associated with several slowly deforming rift zones created by extensional forces.

Liechtenstein’s Seismic Risk

Surrounded by Austria and Switzerland, the seismic hazard in Liechtenstein primarily follows the moderate activity of its larger neighbors.  Due to Liechtenstein’s small size, events occurring outside Liechtenstein pose the majority of earthquake risk to the country.

Underwriting and managing earthquake insurance in this environment is a complex undertaking.  Released in 2007, the RMS® Europe Earthquake Model helps insurers and reinsurers in this task by quantifying risk across various regions and a wide variety of construction types.

Model Highlights

	Stochastic database of earthquake events based on long recorded history of earthquakes in Liechtenstein and surrounding regions
	Variable resolution grid (VRG) soil type and liquefaction database covering all of Liechtenstein
	RMS third generation earthquake modeling incorporating spectral response approach to building damage calculations
	Building vulnerability curves developed from work of local experts and RMS research
	Regional differentiation of building vulnerability and building inventory
	Broad suite of secondary modifiers to help refine building damage assessment

Geographic Scope

Principality of Liechtenstein

Exposure Data Resolution