Web based information system for natural hazard analysis in an alpine valley

Abstract

A platform for geospatial hazard and risk information system, comprising graphical and numerical geospatial data, aerial and satellite images, georeferenced thematic data, and real time monitoring feeds is being developed by the Research Network on Natural Hazards at ETH Zurich (HazNETH). It will allow researchers to build efficient systems for handling, pre-processing, and analyzing the existing large and variable datasets from different natural hazard phenomena as well as different natural environments in the Swiss region. The final product will be a geospatial hazard information system. Three main steps will be followed in order to create this information system: the spatial database development, an integrated hazard procedure design, and a web enabled data query and visualization tool set. The geospatial database including the entire set of natural hazards phenomena occurring in an alpine valley will offer a platform to study existing hazard assessment methods and will allow the analysis and combination of various hazard parameters in relationship to phenomena. The final application based on the concept of Atlas Information Systems (AIS), will be used as an additional tool for risk and emergency assessment as well as for planning and decision making purposes. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.