Seismic risk assessment using integrated MCDM method in West Bengal, India

Abstract

Earthquakes are one of the natural hazards that threaten human lives and properties. Consequently, seismic risk assessment plays a significant role in disaster mitigation. This study estimates seismic risk in West Bengal, India, by integrating the two multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models: analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Entropy. Integrated AHP-Entropy is used to determine vulnerability, seismic hazard, and coping capacity. The seismic risk was then assessed by integrating the thematic information of vulnerability, seismic hazard, and coping capacity. The results show that about 19% of the total area and 70% of the total population in West Bengal may be at very high seismic risk. The result is validated through a receiver operating characteristic curve, displaying satisfactory performance in seismic risk estimation. The findings of this study may help governmental agencies identify seismic-risk zones and establish seismic hazard plans in advance against any potential threat in the study region.