Fathom’s research

Research papers

Our research has been critically tested and refined through academic peer-review over the past 15 years and published in world-leading scientific journals.

Our key research advances, 1992-2024

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Modelling floodplain flows using a two-dimensional finite element model

Professor Paul Bates’ first paper describing a 2D flood model.

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A simple raster-based model for flood inundation simulation

Seminal paper describing the first grid-based flood model.

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Reach scale floodplain inundation dynamics observed using airborne synthetic aperture radar imagery: Data analysis and modelling

First description of remotely-sensed imagery in model validation.

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A simple inertial formulation of the shallow water equations for efficient two-dimensional flood inundation modelling

Hugely influential paper describing new formulation of shallow water equations.

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A subgrid channel model for simulating river hydraulics and floodplain inundation over large and data sparse areas

Presentation of sub-grid hydraulic model structures.

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A high-resolution global flood hazard model

First description of a high-resolution global flood model.

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Validation of a 30 m resolution flood hazard model of the conterminous United States

First validation of a large-scale flood model.

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Estimates of present and future flood risk in the conterminous United States

Presentation of current and future flood risk in the US.

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The Spatial Dependence of Flood Hazard and Risk in the United States

Methodology for Fathom-US CAT model.

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Combined Modeling of US Fluvial, Pluvial, and Coastal Flood Hazard Under Current and Future Climates

Validation of the methodologies underpinning Fathom-US 2.0

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A 30m global map of elevation with forests and buildings removed

Influential paper exploring the development of FABDEM – our global digital elevation model

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A new climate-conditioned catastrophe flood model for the UK

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01 1992

Modelling floodplain flows using a two-dimensional finite element model

Professor Paul Bates’ first paper describing a 2D flood model.

Read paper
02 2000

A simple raster-based model for flood inundation simulation

Seminal paper describing the first grid-based flood model.

Read paper
03 2006

Reach scale floodplain inundation dynamics observed using airborne synthetic aperture radar imagery: Data analysis and modelling

First description of remotely-sensed imagery in model validation.

Read paper
04 2010

A simple inertial formulation of the shallow water equations for efficient two-dimensional flood inundation modelling

Hugely influential paper describing new formulation of shallow water equations.

Read paper
05 2012

A subgrid channel model for simulating river hydraulics and floodplain inundation over large and data sparse areas

Presentation of sub-grid hydraulic model structures.

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06 2015

A high-resolution global flood hazard model

First description of a high-resolution global flood model.

Read paper
07 2017

Validation of a 30 m resolution flood hazard model of the conterminous United States

First validation of a large-scale flood model.

Read paper
08 2018

Estimates of present and future flood risk in the conterminous United States

Presentation of current and future flood risk in the US.

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09 2019

The Spatial Dependence of Flood Hazard and Risk in the United States

Methodology for Fathom-US CAT model.

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10 2021

Combined Modeling of US Fluvial, Pluvial, and Coastal Flood Hazard Under Current and Future Climates

Validation of the methodologies underpinning Fathom-US 2.0

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11 2022

A 30m global map of elevation with forests and buildings removed

Influential paper exploring the development of FABDEM – our global digital elevation model

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12 NEW 2023

A new climate-conditioned catastrophe flood model for the UK

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Filters

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New Research paper

A climate conditioned catastrophe risk model for UK flooding

New research from Bates et al. describes the creation of a transparent flood model for the UK that simulates pluvial, fluvial and coastal flood risks for 10 different return periods.

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Caravan dataset research
Research paper

Caravan – A global community dataset for large-sample hydrology

  • Kratzert, F.,
  • Nearing, G.,
  • Addor, N.,
  • Erickson, T.,
  • Gauch, M.,
  • Gilon, O.,
  • Gudmundsson, L.,
  • Hassidim, A.,
  • Klotz, D.,
  • Nevo, S.,
  • Shalev, G.,
  • Matias, Y.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Scientific Data, the paper outlines the team’s vision for Caravan to expand, evolve and provide “the most direct path” to a truly open global hydrological dataset.

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Scatter graph comparison of in land flood models - Dr Oliver Wing research
Research paper

Comparison of estimated flood exposure and consequences generated by different event-based inland flood inundation maps

  • Gutenson, J.,
  • Tavakoly, A.,
  • Islam, M.,
  • Wing, O.,
  • Lehman, W.,
  • Hamilton, C.,
  • Wahl, M.,
  • Massey, T.

New research from Gutenson, J. L. and others, including Fathom’s Chief Research Officer Dr Oliver Wing, compares the estimated impact and exposure to flooding generated by different event-based flood inundation maps. 

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Research paper

Use of hydrological models in global stochastic flood modeling

An investigation into the effectiveness of using synthetic gauge data from global hydrological models as input data for global stochastic modeling.

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Research paper

Uneven burden of urban flooding

Who floods? A commentary on the uneven burden of urban flooding in Nature Sustainability.

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Research paper

Urbanizing the floodplain: global changes of imperviousness in flood-prone areas

Are floodplains becoming more built on over time? Using new global satellite data, Kostas Andreadis in this paper shows floodplain urbanization has almost doubled since 1985.

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Research paper

Social inequalities in climate change-attributed impacts of Hurricane Harvey

This research uses attribution science to examine the influence that climate change had on the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017. 

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Global map
Research paper

Ambitious partnership needed for reliable climate prediction

  • Slingo, J.,
  • Bates, P.,
  • Bauer, P.,
  • Belcher, S.,
  • Palmer, T.,
  • Stephens, G.,
  • Stevens, B.,
  • Stocker, T.,
  • Teutsch, G.

In this paper, researchers state that an improved climate model with higher detail and more precise information is needed urgently  to enable us to make reliable decisions around climate adaptation.

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Research paper

Assessing flooding impact to riverine bridges: an integrated analysis

  • Pregnolato, M.,
  • Winter, A.,
  • Mascarenas, D.,
  • Sen, A.,
  • Bates, P.,
  • Motley, M.

This paper establishes new modelling approaches for the design and assessment of transportation and water systems with the aim to understand the consequences of flooding on urban networks.

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Research paper

Increased population exposure to Amphan-scale cyclones under future climates

In 2020 Cyclone Amphan made landfall in the Bay of Bengal and was the first super tropical cyclonic storm to occur in the area in over 20 years. This paper explores what would happen if this event were to occur in the future, asking: would the risks associated with it change?

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Research paper

A 30 m global map of elevation with forests and buildings removed

This work signifies one of the biggest step-changes in global flood modelling capabilities since the advent of the field.

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Research paper

Inequitable patterns of US flood risk in the Anthropocene

Climate change will have major impact on cost of flooding, according to pioneering research led by Dr Oliver Wing, Chief Research Officer at Fathom