The University of Crete, is a multi-disciplinary, research-oriented Institution, situated in the cities of Rethymnon and Heraklion (Greece). It is a public University with a well-known reputation both nationally and internationally, with state-of-the art curricula and graduate programs, considerable research activity and initiatives that reflect its dynamic character. It was established in 1973 and operated during the academic year 1977-1978. Today, it has 5 Schools and 16 Departments. The Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC), established in 1994 as a body of the University of Crete, is actively participating into Adriseismic project.
Discover the skills of the Natural History Museum of Crete
The NHMC is targeted on the research, management and conservation of natural environment, on raising awareness and training of various groups on the natural environment, risk mitigation and climate change, and on maintaining and study scientific collections. The Natural History Museum of Crete has coordinated or participated in more than 110 National and European projects and has developed many collaborations with Greek and European Research and Educational Institutions.
- It has contributed to scientific knowledge with more than 200 publications in international scientific journals and more than 250 presentations in international or national congresses.
- NHMC staff has supervised more than 25 PhD studies, 40 Masters of Science and several individual studies.
The role of the University of Crete in Adriseismic
In Adriseismic project, the University of Crete will have an important role in sharing its advanced knowledge in the field of disaster prevention and vulnerability reduction, especially with reference to the specific construction techniques of the area. Finally, UoC will give a crucial contribution to the definition of innovative training and educational programs and related educational materials and tools for all the actors involved in the construction process.
The area of Crete, region of earthquakes
Crete is an earthquake prone area presenting the 6th highest seismicity in the world and the 1st in Europe (especially the Ionian island and Crete). In the past it has suffered by the strongest earthquake of Europe (8.2R) and the most devastating tsunami, that of Santorini eruption. Although strong earthquakes have not happened in the area during the last 50 years, the risk of such a disaster is very high, as modern cities have been developed rapidly during the past decades, construction and material codes to resist in strong shakes are very recent and the historical centers of the biggest cities are very old in age.
The work of University of Crete
The University of Crete has put much effort to raise awareness of citizens, authorities and visitors for these risks, has developed projects, temporary exhibitions and tools (like the earthquake simulator and its programs) and has implemented various educational activities. Through its participation in Adriseismic project, University of Crete foresees
- to explore more training and educational capabilities for improving the resilience of constructions and local societies
- to benefit from the developing of new, innovative and effective training outcomes and deliverables
- to share knowledge with other territories of Europe
- to test and implement actions that will enforce building response and resistance in case of earthquakes and relative effects and to disseminate the outcomes in local and national level
