Bridging the Seismic Vulnerability Data Gap Through UAV and 360° Imagery: The Case of Nejapa, El Salvador
Source abstract
Abstract
In Latin America, high seismic activity drives countries to develop disaster risk reduction policies based on seismic risk studies. This work demonstrates the feasibility of creating a seismic exposure and vulnerability database using remotely sensed data. In Nejapa, El Salvador, a drone flight and 360° photo capture were conducted to generate a 3D model of the city. Buildings were identified, characterised, and assigned a vulnerability model. This database was used to estimate seismic risk for a simulated Mw 6.7 earthquake on the Guaycume fault near the city. Results show that 71% of buildings would suffer complete damage and 68% of the population would be homeless, with losses exceeding USD 15 million. Findings were shared with relevant institutions in El Salvador through a dashboard. The country is currently collecting the same type of data used in the present study to update its cadastre and census. This is an opportunity to replicate this pilot experience in many other cities across the country and to provide open data access, positioning El Salvador at the forefront of civil protection in the Latin American region.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Anomaly Detection Techniques and Applications · Seismology and Earthquake Studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
TERRA: Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risks, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28031 Madrid, Spain
mitGIS, San Salvador 01501, El Salvador
Funding
Twin-ER: Earthquake Risk Pilot Digital Twin
References (55)
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