Development of Early Damaged Area Estimation System (EDES) Using DMSP/OLS Nighttime Imagely

Abstract

The Early Damaged Area Estimation System (EDES) is proposed to support emergency response in a disaster. EDES provides the geographic information of possible impacted areas within 24 hours after an earthquake on the Internet. The estimation method is based on the detection of significant reductions or loss of lights in nighttime imagery observed by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program's Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS). Noise in suburban areas and cloud influence in a pre-event image are addressed by using a cloud-free stable lights image derived from a time series of OLS observations. Appropriate geographic information is discussed to support relief activities and to contribute a reduction in the digital divide problem in global disaster management activities.