Mobile Application and a Web-Based Geographic Information System for Sharing Geological Hazards Information in East and Southeast Asia

Abstract

This paper presents a mobile application and a web-based geographic information system for an efficient and cost-effective sharing of geological hazards information in East and Southeast Asia. The information system uses the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Processing Service (WPS) for spatial data rendition and processing online. Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is also used for other important spatial data processing and sharing operations. WMS and WPS are formulated to access and view the geological hazard data in the system’s database. The mobile application is developed to access and share the system’s geospatial contents by sending requests to these web services. The application also makes geological hazard mitigation measures more effective by incorporating the mobile device’s GPS location information with geological hazard data. Information like the distance from the nearest active fault, active volcano and earthquake hypocenter can be easily determined using the application. The mobile application provides an interface for the users to easily access geological hazard information such as active fault, active volcanoes, shorelines inundated by tsunamis, and historical and real time seismic events. The widespread use of mobile devices with Internet connection makes geological hazard information dissemination very efficient using the application. The mobile application is called G-EVER Mobile. G-EVER stands for Asia Pacific Region Global Earthquake and Volcanic Eruption Risk Management consortium. The application can be accessed at https://ccop-geoinfo.org/gever-mo/index.php.