Earthquake Vulnerability Assessment using Expert-based Approach in GIS

Abstract

Several techniques of earthquake vulnerability assessment exist for the evaluation of social, economic and buildings vulnerability that has been carried out to investigate their suitability in the application of earthquake risk assessment. The primary challenge is the prediction of earthquakes that is almost seemingly impossible in the current time. The main concern is mitigation and preparedness, which is dominant for the human, animals, and environment. However, exposed assets and the determination of their fragilities/vulnerabilities are essential and will be challenging in the future for the viability and reliability during the assessment of rapid loss. Therefore, this study proposes an expert's decision-based approach for the assessment of earthquake vulnerability in Banda Aceh city, Indonesia that could help in future risk assessment on a city scale. It was analysed that the proposed method adequately satisfies all the necessary criteria that can be involved in earthquake vulnerability assessment in Banda Aceh city to reduce the earthquake impacts. The results shows that the proposed method is good for city-scale earthquake vulnerability assessment with significant consistency ratio of 0.04. This research observes the current practices involved in regional and urban earthquake vulnerability assessment.