A novel approach (the CRATER method) for assessing tsunami vulnerability at the regional scale using ASTER imagery

Abstract

We present here a novel method to assess coastal vulnerability to tsunami based on GIS (Geographical Information System), ASTER imagery (Advanced Spaceborn Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) and SRTM-3 elevation model (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission-3). We developed this method within the CRATER project (Coastal Risk Analysis for Tsunamis and Environmental Remediation) and applied it on the whole western coast of Thailand. As result, we generated a set of vectorial vulnerability maps with a geometrical resolution of 90m (scale 1:450 000). This approach provides a low-cost and quick tool to analyse extended coastal tracts, and prioritize investments for prevention measures or for further high-resolution analysis.