Earthquake Damage Detection Using Remote Sensing Technologies: Validation Using Data From the 1999 Earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan

University Of Southern California, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

Earthquake Damage Detection using Remote Sensing Technologies: Validation using Data from the 1999 Earthquakes in Turkey and Taiwan Principal Investigator: M. Shinozuka Proposal ID: #0085273 Project Abstract The objective of this proposal is to explore the feasibility of using remote sensing technology, in particular Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging, to quantify the scope and magnitude of damage after major earthquakes. To accomplish this objective, we plan on using a combination of technologies and modeling techniques from the remote sensing and loss estimation areas. An important element of this plan will be the use of damage information and data from the Turkey and Taiwan earthquakes to calibrate and test the resulting methodology. The research plan is described in three major phases: (1) development of methodology and collection of remote sensing and damage data from the 1999 Turkey (Izmit) and 1999 Taiwan (Chi-Chi) earthquakes, (2) calibration of methodology using data from the Izmit earthquake, and (3) application and validation of methodology using data from the Chi-Chi earthquake. The present proposal is directed at Phases 1 and 2 only. A second proposal will be submitted after completion of this study to expand the analysis to the Chi-Chi Earthquake.