Establishing Standard Elements for Disaster-Cause Analysis Based on GIS and Forensics

Abstract

In line with the disaster management objective, “identifying the causes of recurring disasters and presenting solutions to prevent recurrence” should be supported by objective data based on the analysis of the disaster occurrence mechanism and empirical facts from a technical engineering perspective. The disaster-cause analysis uses scientific and objective methods to identify the processes in which the hazards inherent in a particular area act as causal factors. Unlike earlier approaches to disaster investigation, this study seeks to identify reasonable alternatives by analyzing the root causes and planning solutions of multi-disciplinary approaches. Further, it aims to present a methodological framework and establish standard elements for a disaster-cause analysis based on GIS and Disaster Forensics. The combined analysis results of the standard elements for a disaster-cause analysis was described as the “disaster profile” of the landslide of Mt. Umyeon in Seoul in 2011. The methodological framework and standard elements presented in this study can be utilized for scientific investigation of the causes of disasters and the establishment of an inventory of disaster-cause information in the future. This is expected to contribute toward securing objectivity and reliability in investigating the causes of a disaster.