In this paper,the types of research methods that contain uncertainty are first introduced,and then the description is concentrated on the progress of study on different types of uncertainties in seismic disaster and loss estimation. The main methods applied to uncertainty study are reviewed. Preliminary discussion of the problems currently existing in estimation is also made.
The primary results have been obtained by the analyses on the deviation of macroscopic epicenters from relevant microscopic epicenters determined rapidly after the 139 earthquake events occunrred during 1989-2004. Further study has proved the normal distributions exist in both the east and west parts of Chinese mainland partitioned along meridian 105°E. The empirical two-dimensional normal distribution functions for the deviations are presented in the paper. The results are of significance in reducing uncertainty of losses assessment immediately after a destroyed earthquake.