Satellite image analysis and GIS approaches for tsunami vulnerability assessment

Dynamic interactions of the land zone and the ocean, human activities, and also natural hazards such as tsunamis can affect the changing of coastal areas. Tsunami historical events illustrated that the topographic elevation of the coastal area could be important physical parameters for creating tsunami vulnerability areas. The integrated approaches of spatial multi-criteria in the term of Geographical Information System (GIS), the analysis of satellite image, and social parameter analysis were used to map the risk area due to tsunami. This study tried to assess the distribution of tsunami vulnerability area in coastal area of Banten, western part of Java Island, Indonesia. The study applied GIS analysis, satellite image analysis, and the integration of participatory approaches through Analytical Hierarchy Process for the tsunami vulnerability assessment. Vulnerability parameters applied elevation, slope, coastal proximity, coastal shape, and land use is divided into five classes of vulnerability. Based on the land use parameter, plantation area was the widest area included in the category of medium class of tsunami vulnerability, while the very high class of tsunami vulnerability was the irrigated rice field. Very high vulnerability areas were found in the west coastal areas of the sub-districts of Labuan Pagelaran, Patia, Sukaresmi, and Panimbang. The results illustrated in this study can be used as one of the important basic information for creating tsunami risk map. SIG based analysis can aid in a wide range of disaster assessment and facilitate regional planning for management and mitigation of natural disasters such as tsunamis.