Application of Seismic Hazard Mitigation on 3D-GIS/3D-VR Platform

Application of Seismic Hazard Mitigation on 3D-GIS/3D-VR Platform

Taiwan has suffered from the threatening of moderate earthquakes for a long time since Taiwan is located between Euro-Asian and Philippine tectonic plates on the Pacific Earthquake Rim. Large-scale earthquake, as one of the catastrophic natural disasters, often caused tremendous damages to human beings. These damages include loss of human lives, public and private properties, and huge adverse economic impacts. The M7.3 Chi-Chi earthquake in 1999 has collapsed more than 11,000 houses and claimed about 2,340 human lives. After a major earthquake, generally, the emergency response can not be efficiently operated immediately due to the lack of information on the damaged area. Obtaining high-resolution spatial images and terrain data directly after a disaster has occurred is just as important for emergency response and rescue operations. This study illustrates the development of a near real-time, high-resolution, global earth observation on a three-dimensional(3D) platform for disaster monitoring and assessment in Taiwan. The 3D data has encompassed FORMOSAT II space borne images of the whole Taiwan and airborne images in local areas following OGC standard for data exchange and integration. The high-performance 3D visualization and grid technologies were used as core cyber-infrastructure to implement an on-time, semi-automated image processing procedures and 3D display, and analyzes capability through the use of NASA World Wind 3D sub-platform for leveraging high-resolution Landsat imagery. Further, the 3D GIS Taiwan platform can link to end-users the disaster prevention database, analyzed model and assessment methods, real-time observation data and images, and human collaborative and communication systems for comprehensive integration of relevant information in supporting immediate decision making. The 3D-GIS/3D-VR platform was combined with the Taiwan Earthquake Loss Estimation System(TELES) for application on seismic hazard mitigation. The combined use of space remote sensing images and ground 3D photography provides multi-viewpoint information in the devastated area, thus enhances the quality level of emergency response and rescue operations.