Open AccessDevelopment of an Exposure Vulnerability Index Map Using GIS Modeling for Preliminary Seismic Risk Assessment in Sabah, Malaysia
Author(s) -
Noor Suhaiza Sauti,
Mohamed Daud,
Masiri Kaamin,
Suhaila Sahat
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of design and nature and ecodynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.193
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 1755-7445
pISSN - 1755-7437
DOI - 10.18280/ijdne.160115
Subject(s) - vulnerability (computing) , vulnerability index , geographic information system , hazard , hazard map , geography , index (typography) , vulnerability assessment , risk assessment , scale (ratio) , cartography , environmental resource management , risk analysis (engineering) , environmental science , computer science , geology , climate change , business , psychology , oceanography , chemistry , computer security , organic chemistry , psychological resilience , world wide web , psychotherapist
This research was conducted with a view to updating the management of earthquakes through an exposure vulnerability and potential seismic risk assessment, along with its application in Sabah (a state in East Malaysia). A set of indicators and methodologies has been proposed in this study with the goal of evaluating the level of exposure vulnerability and potential risk of certain locations to earthquake events at the local district scale. This study specifically involves the development of exposure vulnerability indicators; the statistical analysis method to standardize multivariate data together with a weight calculation of indicator variables; and a mathematical combination of different indicators for the development of the index map using the spatial analysis function of Geographical Information System (GIS) tools. Then, the derived exposure vulnerability index (EVI) map is overlaid with the seismic hazard in determining the geographical location of the most vulnerable areas and their exposure to seismic hazard events. As a result, and based on the available data, the exposure vulnerability index map shows that most districts in Sabah are at relatively low and moderate levels of risk except for a few districts, with several major cities in Sabah, such as Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Sandakan and Tawau municipality, being situated at a high or very high exposure index. The combination of EVI maps and hazard maps indicate the dominance of the two factors influencing the potential level of earthquake risk. Studies reveal most of the southwest and central parts of the region are not at risk, as both exposure and hazard factors are at a low level. The proposed approach depicts an instrument for identifying cost-effective risk reduction initiatives by providing a scientific method for regional risk planning and management strategies. This research represents the first attempt to evaluate Sabah’s vulnerability to this type of natural disaster by understanding the spatial relationship between exposure vulnerability and earthquake hazard, which undoubtedly could be improved in several aspects.