2. Satellite data for tsunami studies
Satellite data can be utilized in three phases of operation. They are mitigation
phase, response phase and recovery phase. Tsunami disaster mitigation involves in risk
reduction. Then, satellite data integrated with a geographic information system can be
based and exposed as input to planning logistic for response scenarios, planning
evacuation routes and public education program. Satellite data requirements are in multispatial,
multi - temporal and multi - spectral characteristics.
Data from various satellite like TERRA and AQUA operating in low resolution
with 250 – 500 meters, medium resolution of LANDSAT, IRS, SPOT-5 and
RADARSAT and high resolution with 1 meters and 61 centimeters of IKONOS and
QuickBird respectively of pre and post tsunami period were applied to monitor the
damage. Usually, TERRA and AQUA – MODIS scene used to identified the regional
level phenomenous and a comparison of TERRA and AQUA – MODIS operating in
different period of tsunami event was indicated in Figure 1. Active tsunami wave shown
as white color along Phangnga coastline (middle image) and coastal flooding are totally
occurred and presented as sediment deposits in white – cyan color along the Andaman
coastline from Ranong, Phang-nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces. High
resolution data of IKONOS and QuickBird are suitable for pinpointing location, type of
damage, the degree of damage and affected area as well. After identifying affected area
from those data, a field investigation was carried out. Types of damage can be illustraed
in Table 1 and displayed as summarized below