Spatial Distribution Analysis and Regional Vulnerability Assessment of Geological Disasters in China

It is the basis for hazard management to explore the regional vulnerability of geological disasters. To assess the vulnerability of geological disasters, this paper proposes a simple method based on the combination of three indexes: the frequency of geological disasters, the population vulnerability and the economic vulnerability. Each vulnerability index is evaluated from the regional (e.g. North China) dimension and the provincial dimension. The results show that Southwest China, especially Sichuan Province, is most prone to geological disasters. Moreover, Fujian has the highest population vulnerability and Chongqing has the highest economic vulnerability. Considering three vulnerability indexes together, Chongqing has the highest comprehensive vulnerability. In general, only a few concentrated areas in China have high vulnerability to geological disasters, while most other regions have low vulnerability. Our study can provide a scientific basis for the mitigation of geological disasters.