Spatial data infrastructure (SDI) for inventory rockfalls with fragmentation information

Abstract

The version of record of this article, first published in Natural Hazards is available online at Publisher's webside: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-022-05282-2

The fragmentation phenomenon has a significant effect on rockfall risk assessment. This information is difficult to obtain, but it is key to improving rockfall modelling. For this reason, the RockModels team has gathered data on the fragmentation of several natural events since 2014 that nowadays wants to share them with professionals, academics and stakeholders. The best way for the dissemination of this information is the use of standard or data specifications in order to be interoperable. A fragmentation rockfall database has been created using all the gathered information, according to the INSPIRE Natural Hazard Area Data Specification currently in force. However, new tables have had to be added, since this specification does not consider fragmentation data. There are currently 6000 records of geometries of source areas, envelopes, deposits and mostly individual blocks. A web mapping application, with an automatic function for coordinate reference system transformation, has been created to facilitate access to the spatial database information. All that was developed on open-source software such as OpenLayers JavaScript library, database (PostGre-PostGIS) and the map generating Web Map Service (GeoServer). As more data are collected, the database can be easily updated and the new information will be published. Moreover, to improve data interpretation, a future task is to incorporate 3D models on the web application. The existence of this public database will facilitate research and advance in knowledge of this kind of natural hazards.

Peer Reviewed

Postprint (published version)