The use of Landsat-5 TM data for post-earthquake damage assessment

Urgent damage assessment of urban areas after major earthquakes is a very fundamental step for efficient response and rehabilitation plans. In cases of widely spread earthquake damage this might be a difficult task to accomplish. This paper explores the use of satellite data to provide a quick assessment of the extent and distribution of earthquake damage in urban areas. The June 20, 1990, northern Iran major earthquake (Ms = 7.7) is considered as a case study to examine the efficiency of using multi-temporal Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper. TM, data (collected before and after the event) in assessment of earthquakes damages. Image to image registration and change detection techniques were used to investigate the amount of damage caused by this earthquake. The results indicate that multi-temporal Landsat-5 TM data can provide a quick assessment of earthquake damage. Such information can be considered as an essential base and guidance for detailed field inspection, and may substantially accelerate the efficiency of the earthquake emergency response.