Join VERT
If you are interested in contributing to virtual reconnaissance with VERT, please complete the New Member Sign-Up Form.
If you are joining VERT after an earthquake and would like to activate, please join the VERT Slack Channel to stay informed.
Purpose
The purpose of VERT is to provide opportunities for EERI members, whether younger members or seasoned professionals, to get involved in post-earthquake reconnaissance through the EERI Learning from Earthquakes (LFE) program.
The VERT mission includes the following:
- Explore ways that VERT volunteers can contribute to the EERI response in ways that are meaningful and relevant to the specific situation.
- Activate and implement the response plan discussed with the LFE Executive Committee upon occurrence of any major earthquake in need of virtual reconnaissance.
- Provide pertinent information to the reconnaissance teams being deployed through the EERI, partner organizations, and supporting companies.
- Provide post-reconnaissance trip data-processing for teams deployed through EERI, partner organizations, and supporting companies.
- Work with local EERI members to gather real-time information about the state of the community after the earthquake.
- Disseminate most recent virtual earthquake reconnaissance information to the EERI community via the EERI Virtual Clearinghouse.
VERT Operations
How VERT Works
Immediately following a significant earthquake event, VERT will activate Phase 1 and VERT Members will collaboratively complete a Phase I Activation Report – a multidisciplinary, rapid-response report – within a 48-hour period. These efforts inform decision-makers such as the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Executive Committee in determining in-field reconnaissance response.
VERT Members may also contribute to:
- Creating rapid summaries of impacts for virtual clearinghouse websites
- Assisting EERI reconniassance teams prepare for deployment
- Assisting EERI reonccaissance team members post-process data
- Participating in potential research projects
Check out our video on Virtual Earthquake Reconnaissance and why it is important here.
Get Involved – Join VERT
Any EERI member is welcome to join VERT and contribute to the VERT Activations. All members participating in Phase I Activation Reports are identified as authors on the final published reports posted to the EERI clearinghouses and DesignSafe Data Depot.
If you are interested in contributing to virtual reconnaissance with VERT, please complete the New Member Sign-Up Form.
Training Resources
All VERT members are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the resources below to align with best practices for virtual reconnaissance. Members are encouraged to join the VERT Slack Channel as well to coordinate during activations. Join the VERT Slack Channel here.
Activations
VERT began in 2015 and has responded to significant events around the world since its creation. Below are some of the most recent VERT Activations. For more resources developed by VERT, refer to the event pages on the learningfromearthquakes.org webpage. More information about VERT is available in the About VERT Slideshow.
- Puerto Rico Earthquake Sequence (2019-2020)
- M6.4 Durres, Albania Earthquake (2019)
- Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence (2019)
- M7.0 Anchorage, Alaska Earthquake (2018)
- Rapid Response Report
- Virtual support for business impacts reconnaissance team
- Supporting USGS research team studying protective actions
- M6.4 Hualien, Taiwan Earthquake (2018)
- M7.1 Puebla, Mexico Earthquake (2017)
- M8.1 Chiapas, Mexico Earthquake (2017)
- Central Italy Earthquake Sequence (2016 & 2017)
- M6.4 Southern Taiwan Earthquake (2016)
- Virtual earthquake clearinghouse blogging
- Post-processing photos and data from field
- M7.8 Musine, Ecuador Earthquake (2016)
- Virtual earthquake clearinghouse blogging
- Post-processing photos and data from field
- Assisting Exponent in mini-research project
- M7.8 Gorkha, Nepal Earthquake (2015)
- Virtual earthquake clearinghouse blogging
- Post-processing photos and data from field
Contact Us
VERT is a Subcommittee of the EERI Learning from Earthquakes Committee. The Virtual Earthquake Reconnaissance Team Subcommittee Co-Chairs are:
Co-Chair
Co-Chair
For more information or questions, please contact Dr. Erica Fischer (erica.fischer@oregonstate.edu) or Dr. Manny Hakhamaneshi (manny.hakha@gmail.com). To sign up for VERT, please complete the New Member Sign-Up Form.