Earthquake: National Platform for Natural Hazards

Earthquakes are the natural hazard with the greatest potential extent of damage in Switzerland. According to the federal government's national risk analysis, they harbour the highest risk alongside pandemics and power shortages.

Earthquakes can cause immense damage: Damaged or collapsed buildings endanger people and the environment, while non-functioning or destroyed infrastructure paralyses everyday life. Earthquakes can also trigger secondary effects such as landslides or rockfalls, soil liquefaction, fires and tsunamis.

Earthquakes can occur anywhere.

Swiss Seismological Service (SED), ETH Zurich — Earthquake risk map of Switzerland

The earthquake risk in Switzerland is at a medium level compared to other European countries. The earth shakes around 1000 to 1500 times a year. Earthquakes can occur anywhere. Due to the relatively high vulnerability of buildings and the high concentration of values, the highest risk accumulates in areas with a high population density.

Switzerland has a national and publicly accessible earthquake risk model, thanks to which the consequences of earthquakes can be quantified.

SED, Effects of earthquakes in Switzerland

Division of labour in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the authorities, insurance companies, specialised associations and private individuals are responsible for earthquake protection in various capacities.

BAFU, Earthquake Task sharing

Tasks of the federal government

The Confederation's tasks include earthquake monitoring and national hazard assessment. In the event of an incident, the Confederation supports the cantons in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. Since 2000, the Confederation has been pursuing a programme of measures for earthquake prevention and maintains a coordination office for this purpose.

BAFU, Earthquakes, federal measures

Tasks of the cantons and municipalities

The cantons and municipalities regulate earthquake-resistant construction within the framework of their legislation and authorisation procedures and are responsible for event management.

BAFU, Earthquake safety in the building permit procedure

Tasks of the private sector

The client is responsible for building in accordance with natural hazards. Earthquake damage is not covered by compulsory fire and natural hazards insurance. Although insurers have funds for voluntary benefits, these only cover a small part of the existing earthquake risk in certain cantons. There are also voluntary insurance solutions.

Overcoming and rebuilding

Preparation for event management and reconstruction

The federal government draws up a national precautionary plan. This creates a common basis for the development of the precautionary plans of the stakeholders concerned (Confederation, cantons, infrastructure operators).

After an earthquake, the damaged buildings must be assessed and the reconstruction and repair costs estimated. To ensure that the necessary personnel and technical resources are available, the cantons, cantonal building insurers and private insurers have founded the Earthquake Claims Organisation (SOE). The organisation is supported by the federal government's specialist agencies.

Earthquake loss organisation (SOE)

Effective measures

Protection against earthquakes is possible through earthquake-resistant construction. The federal government issues recommendations for behaviour before, during and after an earthquake. Examples of measures include

Organisational measures

Take out voluntary earthquake insurance
Raise awareness of correct behaviour in the event of an earthquake

Technical measures

Make new buildings earthquake-resistant.
Where necessary and proportionate, improve the earthquake safety of existing buildings.

BAFU, Earthquake-proof construction

SGEB, Earthquake engineering and structural dynamics

Award-winning school complex

The Les Vergers school complex in Meyrin (GE) has received the 2021 Seismic Award. The jury, which honours earthquake-resistant construction, was impressed by the ‘seismically designed and architecturally convincing’ pavilions. The exemplary ensemble was the result of an overall project on which architects and engineers worked together.

Seismic Award 2021

Chronicle

The strongest earthquakes in Switzerland

1356 Basel

On 15 October, the earth shook with a magnitude of 6.6 in Basel. Almost all the churches, castles and fortresses within a radius of around 30 kilometres were destroyed. After the earthquake, a fire raged for eight days and almost completely burnt down the city. Between 100 and 2000 people died. The quake had a maximum intensity of IX.

1601

The earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 and a maximum intensity of VIII on 8 September affected Sarnen, Engelberg, Altdorf and Lucerne. Some houses were completely destroyed. Landslides and landslides occurred. In addition, falling rock masses (landslide from Bürgenstock) in combination with landslides triggered a tidal wave in Lake Lucerne.

1855 Visp

Around midday on 25 July, the earth shook in the Visp region with a magnitude of 6.2. The epicentre was in the Visp Valley, but the quake was felt throughout Switzerland and beyond. The main shock was followed by many aftershocks of considerable intensity, which only became weaker in the autumn and occurred until 1858. Hundreds of buildings were severely damaged or completely destroyed.

1946 Sierre

On 25 January, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck Sierre, killing four people. Around 3,500 buildings were damaged, including a church in Sierre, which lost its spire. The power went out and the telephone lines were overloaded within a short space of time. Chaos reigned for several hours.