Flooding and Earthquake Risk Interpretation for Kutahya Province, Turkey, Using ASTER DEM

Abstract

Kutahya Province is a significant cultural heritage area of Turkey; it is susceptible to flooding when sudden heavy rain falls and is located in a high-risk earthquake region. The objective of this study was to acquire geo-information from Kutahya Province and interpret the risk levels to the population from floods and earthquakes. In this study, the Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission Reflection Digital Elevation Model of Kutahya Province was used to create maps that illustrate the digital terrain model and the 3D fly-through dynamic model of the study region. The maps exhibit landform characteristics, fault zones, earthquake locations, thermal locations, stream drainages and water-flow accumulation areas. From the interpretation of the maps, the results revealed that the most susceptible areas to flooding are the settlements and agricultural plains of Kutahya, Altintas, and Simav, in decreasing order. Gediz, Simav, Kutahya, Emet, Tavsanli, Dumlupinar, Domanic, Hisarcik, Pazarlar and Saphane are at high risk of earthquake damage, in decreasing order. The results of this study can help planners involved in regional urban and infrastructure development as well as environmental planning in Kutahya province.