Earthquake in Haiti

An earthquake of magnitude 7,3 on the Richter scale occurred in Haiti on January 12th, 2010 at 16:53 hrs, local time. In the aftermath, many buildings and houses, potential shelters for the population, either collapsed or were greatly damaged. With the rainy season approaching soon, the risk of the spread of water-borne diseases is likely to increase, notably with the hatch of mosquito larvae. Dengue fever, a potentially deadly viral infection, is transmitted to humans by mosquitos (Aedes anegypti), whose larvae grow mainly in stagnant waters and expand in urban and semi-urban areas.

An image captured on January 20th, 2010, by Canadian satellite RADARSAT-2 combined to an image from Landsat-7 (2005) satellite, provides a mapping of those areas at risk of the potential spread of dengue fever. Based on these satellite images, a map of those areas most at risk are clearly identified in red. These predictions are made based on the analysis of information gathered from the two satellite images which includes data such as topography, slopes, areas of stagnant water, river beds, and land use. This map of potential risk areas could be used by humanitarian organizations who are working on the ground.

This disaster management product was developed by the Canadian company VIASAT Geothechnologies, with the support of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Earth Observation Applications and Utilizations (EOAU) Division.

Images A and B:

A - Estimate of the propagation risk of the dengue, area of Léogane, Haiti
Red: High risk
Orange: Potential risk
Yellow: Limited risk
Green: Weak risk

Background: RADARSAT-2 Spotlight Beam SLA12 (HH), January 20th, 2010. RADARSAT-2 Data and Products © MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (2010) – All Rights reserved.

B - Estimate of the propagation risk of the dengue. Area of Léogane, Haiti
Red: High risk
Orange: Potential risk
Yellow: Limited risk
Green: Weak risk

Background: Fusion between Landsat-7 (2005) and RADARSAT-2 Spotlight Beam SLA12 (HH), January 20th, 2010. RADARSAT-2 Data and Products © MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (2010) – All rights reserved.