Earthquake intensity estimation and damage detection using remote sensing data for global rescue operations

In order to support global rescue operations, we propose a new earthquake damage detection method based on a combination of both the result estimated by using earthquake information (magnitude, location of source, detailed ground conditions, and distance attenuation equation), and change detection using multi-temporal SAR data. First, to find collapsed buildings and houses on the earth´s surface, we adopt a difference image calculated from multi-temporal SAR images observed before and after the earthquake. Next, to estimate seismic intensity and probability of destruction caused by the earthquake, we apply an earthquake engineering model. Finally, damaged area is calculated using a logical AND of difference image and the destruction probability. In order to show that we can obtain a damage detection map which corresponds with the actual damage of houses, we applied the method to simulations of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China.