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Development of a Multi-Hazard Landscape for Exposure and Risk Interpretation: The PRISM Approach
Citation:
Buck, K., Kevin Summers, S. Hafner, L. Harwell, AND L. Smith. Development of a Multi-Hazard Landscape for Exposure and Risk Interpretation: The PRISM Approach. Current Environmental Engineering. Bentham Science Publishers, Ltd., Oak Park, IL, 6(1):74-94, (2019). https://doi.org/10.2174/2212717806666190204103455
Impact/Purpose:
The research involves a spatial approach to the assessment of both natural and anthropogenic hazards across both built and natural landscapes. Results of the research are combined into an index representing the hazard-scape at the county level for the United States, spanning a 15-year period. This research is a foundation element in the development of a Climate Resilience Screening Index for characterizing community resilience to acute climate events under the Sustainable and Healthy Research Program 2.64, Indicators, Indices and the Report on the Environment Project.
Description:
Multi-hazard risk assessment has long been centered on small scale needs, whereby a single community or group of communities’ exposures are assessed to determine potential mitigation strategies. While this approach has advanced the understanding of hazard interactions, it is limiting on larger scales or when significantly different hazard types are present. In order to address some of these issues, an approach is developed where multiple hazards coalesce with losses into an index representing the risk landscape. Methods: Exposures are assessed as a proportion of land-area, allowing for multiple hazards to be combined in a single calculation. Risk calculations are weighted by land-use types (built, dual-benefit, natural) in each county. This allows for a more detailed analysis of land impacts and removes some of the bias introduced by monetary losses in heavily urbanized counties. Results: The results of the quantitative analysis show a landscape where the risk to natural systems is high and the western United States is exposed to a bulk of the risk. Land-use and temporal profiles exemplify a dynamic risk-scape. Conclusion: The calculation of risk is meant to inform community decisions based on the unique set of hazards in that area over time.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Development of a Multi-Hazard Landscape for Exposure and Risk Interpretation: The PRISM Approach