Seismic hazard estimation in stable continental regions: Challenges and opportunities

Damaging earthquakes in Australia and other regions characterised by low seismicity are considered low probability but high consequence events. Uncertainties in modelling earthquake occurrence rates and ground motions for damaging earthquakes in these regions imposes unique challenges on forecasting seismic hazard and the use of this information for improving seismic safety within our communities. Key challenges for these regions are explored, including: the quality and continuity of earthquake catalogues; the difficulties in characterising earthquake ground motions; the uncertainties in earthquake source modelling, and; the consideration of modern earthquake hazard information to support future building provisions.