Vulnerability assessment towards tsunami threats using multisensoral remote sensing data

Abstract

The occurrence of a tsunami, a set of oceans waves caused by any large, abrupt disturbance of the sea surface, hitting a vulnerable system on land can cause massive loss of life, destruction of coastal infrastructure and disruption of economic activity. Vulnerability assessment and risk modelling are important components for an effective end-to-end hazard early warning system and therefore contribute significantly to disaster risk reduction. The focus of this study is on the capabilities and synergistic usage of multisensoral remotely sensed data to contribute to these complex tasks. We use medium and high resolution optical satellite data (Landsat and Ikonos), high resolution radar data from TerraSAR-X as well as a digital elevation model to provide multiple products for the assessment of spatial vulnerability in case of a tsunami impact on the heterogeneous and highly structured coastal urban area of Padang, Indonesia. Results include physical indicators like dimension and location of urbanization, quantification of potentially affected buildings, the identification of safe areas as well as a time-dependent population assessment.