Accuracy assessment of rapid response landslide maps generated using open-source tools during the August 2021 Haiti earthquake

A singular heavy rainfall event or earthquake can trigger hundreds to thousands of landslides. The first and most important information that on-the-ground disaster responders need following a major landslide event is information on the location and extent of landslides. Typically, the most used method for rapid landslide identification is manual mapping, a technique that is limiting in space and time. Recent availability of very high-resolution optical imagery and advancement in image processing technologies have significantly improved our ability to map landslides automatically. 

On August 14, 2021, a Mw 7.2 earthquake struck the Tiburon Peninsula of western Haiti triggering thousands of landslides. Three days after the earthquake on August 17, 2021, Tropical Storm Grace crossed shallow waters offshore of southern Haiti triggering more landslides worsening the situation. In the aftermath of these events, several organizations with disaster response capabilities or programs activated to provide information on the location of landslides to first responders on the ground. 

The 2021 Haiti event provided a unique opportunity to test different automated landslide detection methods that utilized both SAR and optical data in a rapid response scenario where rapid situational awareness was critical. As the methods used are highly replicable, I will be presenting on the landslide rapid response products released by the organizations, detection methods, accuracy quantification and guidelines on how some of the shortcomings encountered in this effort might be addressed in the future.