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A 30 m global flood inundation model for any climate scenario
  • +18
  • Oliver E J Wing,
  • Paul D Bates,
  • Niall Quinn,
  • James Savage,
  • Peter Uhe,
  • Anthony Cooper,
  • Thomas P Collings,
  • Nans Addor,
  • Natalie S. Lord,
  • Simbi Hatchard,
  • Jannis Hoch,
  • Joe Bates,
  • Izzy Probyn,
  • Sam Himsworth,
  • Josue Rodriguez Gonzalez,
  • Malcolm P Brine,
  • Hamish Wilkinson,
  • Christopher C Sampson,
  • Andrew M Smith,
  • Jeffrey Charles Neal,
  • Ivan D Haigh
Oliver E J Wing
University of Bristol

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Paul D Bates
University of Bristol
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Niall Quinn
Fathom Global Ltd.
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James Savage
Fathom
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Peter Uhe
Fathom
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Anthony Cooper
Fathom
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Thomas P Collings
Fathom
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Nans Addor
University of Exeter
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Natalie S. Lord
University of Bristol
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Simbi Hatchard
Fathom
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Jannis Hoch
Utrecht University
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Joe Bates
Fathom
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Izzy Probyn
Fathom
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Sam Himsworth
Fathom
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Josue Rodriguez Gonzalez
Fathom
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Malcolm P Brine
Fathom
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Hamish Wilkinson
Fathom
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Christopher C Sampson
SSBN Ltd
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Andrew M Smith
University of Bristol
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Jeffrey Charles Neal
University of Bristol
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Ivan D Haigh
Fathom
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Abstract

Global flood mapping has developed rapidly over the past decade, but previous approaches have limited scope, function, and accuracy. These limitations restrict the applicability and fundamental science questions that can be answered with existing model frameworks. Harnessing recently available data and modelling methods, this paper presents a new global ~30 m resolution Global Flood Map (GFM) with complete coverage of fluvial, pluvial, and coastal perils, for any return period or climate scenario, including accounting for uncertainty. With an extensive compilation of global benchmark case studies – ranging from locally collected event water levels, to national inventories of engineering flood maps – we execute a comprehensive validation of the new GFM. For flood extent comparisons, we demonstrate that the GFM achieves a critical success index of ~0.75. In the more discriminatory tests of flood water levels, the GFM deviates from observations by ~0.6 m on average. Results indicating this level of global model fidelity are unprecedented in the literature. With an optimistic scenario of future warming (SSP1-2.6), we show end-of-century global flood hazard increases are limited to 9% (likely range -6–29%); this is within the likely climatological uncertainty of -8–12% in the current hazard estimate. In contrast, pessimistic scenario (SSP5-8.5) hazard changes emerge from the background noise in the 2040s, rising to a 49% (likely range of 7–109%) increase by 2100. This work verifies the fitness-for-purpose of this new-generation GFM for impact analyses with a variety of beneficial applications across policymaking, planning, and commercial risk assessment.
30 Oct 2023Submitted to ESS Open Archive
30 Oct 2023Published in ESS Open Archive