What is OpenQuake: OpenQuake is an open-source application written in Python and Java for calculating seismic hazard and risk at any scale. It makes use of a number of other, independent, open-source projects such as OpenSHA, used as a foundation for the seismic hazard component of the engine, as well as Celery and RabbitMQ.
Where does OpenQuake come from: OpenQuake is part of GEM; the Global Earthquake Model. OpenQuake will serve as the engine of GEM’s risk assessment platform OpenGEM, whose various components are being developed by hundreds of collaborators and organisations worldwide. OpenGEM will serve a full spectrum of users from 2014 onwards in modeling and assessing earthquake risk, and in communicating it through maps and other types of output, which can be shared with other users.
What can OpenQuake currently do: The current version (0.4.4) is a ‘development’ release without user interfaces. It contains a Classical PSHA-based and Deterministic risk calculator and a Probabilistic event-based calculator and can produce hazard curves and maps, loss curves and maps (as xml-files), such as these:
What guides development of OpenQuake: Development of OpenQuake is currently based on the requirements that emanate from the development of models, databases and standards by scientists and practitioners from around the world, within the scope of GEM.
Who uses OpenQuake: OpenQuake has users from around the globe that are active in the fields of (earthquake) hazard and risk assessment. OpenQuake is licensed as open source software to allow it to be developed by a variety of individuals and organizations with shared interests.
How can you get started: Currently OpenQuake is alpha-code meaning that it is a development release and has no graphical interface. It can be used for trial and learning by those that are familiar with command-line interface however, through the OATS service that we have set up for GEM collaborators and others to get acquainted with OpenQuake. Go to the ‘get-started’ section for more information. If you are a developer we encourage you to check out the developers-section.
If you would like to get in touch with us, for remarks, questions, ideas to contribute, please contact us at info@openquake.org.