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Seismic zonation of Port-Au-Prince using pixel- and object-based imaging analysis methods on ASTER GDEM

Alan Yong·Susan E. Hough·Brady R. Cox·Ellen M. Rathje·Jeff Bachhuber·Ranon Dulberg·David Hulslander·Lisa Christiansen·Michael J. Abrams
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Abstract

We report about a preliminary study to evaluate the use of semi-automated imaging analysis of remotely-sensed DEM and field geophysical measurements to develop a seismic-zonation map of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. For in situ data, V S 30 values are derived from the MASW technique deployed in and around the city. For satellite imagery, we use an ASTER GDEM of Hispaniola. We apply both pixel- and object-based imaging methods on the ASTER GDEM to explore local topography (absolute elevation values) and classify terrain types such as mountains, alluvial fans and basins/near-shore regions. We assign NEHRP seismic site class ranges based on available V S 30 values. A comparison of results from imagery-based methods to results from traditional geologic-based approaches reveals good overall correspondence. We conclude that image analysis of RS data provides reliable first-order site characterization results in the absence of local data and can be useful to refine detailed site maps with sparse local data.

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Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote SensingArticle
90° N90° S · 180° W ← longitude → 180° E
Source-reported bounding extent: 18.49° to 18.6° latitude; -72.36° to -72.2° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Alan Yong, Susan E. Hough, Brady R. Cox, Ellen M. Rathje, Jeff Bachhuber, Ranon Dulberg, David Hulslander, Lisa Christiansen, Michael J. Abrams. 2011. Seismic zonation of Port-Au-Prince using pixel- and object-based imaging analysis methods on ASTER GDEM. https://doi.org/10.14358/pers.77.9.909

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