Hendrik Zwenzner

Rapid mapping in support of emergency response after earthquake events

Earthquakes and other sudden onset natural disasters require quick and efficient emergency response. Earth observation (EO) data can make a valuable contribution to emergency response efforts if provided within hours and at the most days after the event. Mechanisms like the International Charter Space and Major Disasters and the European GMES Emergency Response Service provide the necessary basis for an efficient and rapid provision of EO data and damage mapping. This paper provides an overview of earthquake damage assessment methodologies, their potential and their limitations in a rapid mapping context and outlines a methodology for casualty estimation. Two case studies—the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2011 Van (Turkey) earthquake—are presented, where DLR’s Center for satellite-based crisis information (ZKI) provided rapid damage maps using a team-based visual interpretation approach. Additionally, the application of a casualty estimation method in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake is outlined.

The International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’: DLR’s Contributions to Emergency Response Worldwide

This article reports on the application of satellite-based Earth observation in the management of major natural or man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, forest fires, landslides, or oil spills. Activities of the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’, an international consortium of space agencies and satellite operators are introduced, and related contributions in terms of rapidly delivered satellite imagery and supporting services are illustrated. In particular, the role of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is outlined, which became a member of the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ in October 2010.ZusammenfassungDie Internationale Charta ‘Space and Major Disasters’: Die Beiträge des DLR zur weltweiten Krisenreaktion. Dieser Artikel berichtet vom Einsatz der satellitengestützten Erdbeobachtung bei der Bewältigung von großen Naturkatastrophen und technischen Unfällen wie z.B. Erdbeben, Hochwasser, Waldbränden, Hangrutschungen oder Ölverschmutzungen. Es werden Aktivitäten der Internationalen Charta ‘Space and Major Disasters’, einem internationalen Zusammenschluss von Raumfahrtagenturen und Satellitenbetreibern, vorgestellt und deren Beiträge in Form von aktuellen Satellitendaten und unterstützenden Diensten aufgezeigt. Insbesondere wird die Rolle des Deutschen Zentrums für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) aufgezeigt, welches im Oktober 2010 Mitglied der Internationalen Charta ‘Space and Major Disasters’ wurde.