BGS scientists work with United Nations to update hazard profiles
From tsunamis to sinkholes, the profiles provide a standardised, internationally agreed definition of hazards to support disaster risk management worldwide.
21/08/2025 By BGS Press
First published in 2021, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)’s International Science Council (ISC) Hazard Information Profiles (HIPs) provide a trusted source of standardised hazard information for governments, agencies, researchers and educators. The latest iteration of the profiles spans over 280 hazards, split into eight hazard groups. Over the last two years, BGS scientists Dr Julia Crummy and Prof John Rees have coordinated the review of the geological HIPs. In addition to BGS hazard specialists, the review drew on international collaborators and partners, with over 50 experts involved.
UNDRR-ISC lead a review of the HIPs every three to five years to incorporate the latest research and user needs surveys are circulated to ensure they are useful, useable and used. BGS had a key role in the introduction of multi-hazards into the latest iteration, covering situations where multiple hazards occur simultaneously, consecutively, or cumulatively. Examples include an earthquake triggering a tsunami or intense rainfall causing flooding and landslides, which can in turn lead to non-geological hazards such as health hazards and technological failures.
The updated 2025 geological profiles include a multi-hazard context section highlighting the need for consideration of hazard interactions for disaster risk management and early warning. Emphasis was placed on cross-referencing between single hazards and hazard groups, to highlight the potential interconnected relationships of many of the hazards included in the HIPs.
Coordinating the update of the geological HIPs has been an incredibly rewarding experience. We have spoken to hazard experts worldwide, strengthening existing relationships and building new ones to ensure that the profiles are the best they can be with the current state of knowledge.
Dr Julia Crummy, BGS Volcanologist
The HIPs were described as “groundbreaking” in the 2023 Report of the Midterm Review of the Implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and continue to be widely used by intergovernmental bodies, national governments, disaster management agencies, humanitarian organisations, private sectors, and academic institutions, fostering a more comprehensive and unified approach to disaster risk monitoring, recording, and planning.
The latest Hazard Information Profiles are available through the UNDRR PreventionWeb website.
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