Disaster mitigation by remote sensing technology: change detection and geo-database link

The documentation of the effects of natural and man made disaster is one of the most important applications for remote sensing. High performing satellite platforms, having acquisition capabilities in near real time, just few days after an event, are proposing new scenarios also for the use of image information in an early response phase. The aim of the work presented is to analyze some existing procedures of image analysis, particularly evaluating steps involved in information production, from a geographic database, passing trough proper image integration. Some case studies have been analyzed, concerning major earthquakes in last decade, where remote sensing technology played an important role. The approach proposed is useful both for information collection, for immediate on the field data gathering, and for the evaluation of occurred damage. The example presented, related to the Boumerdes earthquake, is the creation of an image-based building inventory database, evaluating object oriented image processing capabilities and simulating also a geo-database connection. A great importance will be given to the applicative part, evaluating the time consumed for the application.