Mapping vulnerability to debris flows based on SOM method

Vulnerability measure is essential for hazards and risk research. It refers to the susceptibility of people, communities or regions to natural or technological hazards. This paper defines vulnerability as a combination of economic and social damage potential. In order to measure the vulnerability, indicators cover both economic and social scopes. The Shengou basin in Dongchuan city of Yunnan province is taken as a case to study the risk vulnerability of debris flow using 6 vulnerable indicators which are housing structure, building date, housing area, levels, family population and family income. Combining the indicators based on a Self Organized Map, (SOM) the proposed method creates an integrated debris flow vulnerability map to depict the vulnerability levels of the town in the Shengou basin. The obtained map agrees with the conditions of Dongchuan city and provides a scientific basis to activities related to disaster prevention and reduction in Dongchuan city.