Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana

Naa Dedei Tagoe; Ebenezer Ashun

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana

Naa Dedei Tagoe^*

, Ebenezer Ashun

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 12, Issue 3)

Received: 4 July 2024 Accepted: 18 July 2024 Published: 27 July 2024

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Abstract

On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a motorbike allegedly collided with a truck carrying about 10 tonnes of ammonium nitrate explosives. The explosion caused a blast that created an 18 m diameter crater at the centre of the road and leveled almost the entire village of Appiatse, located in the Prestea Huni Valley District in the Western Region of Ghana. During such disasters, whether natural or anthropogenic, rapid assessment is crucial for an appropriate and effective emergency response. The Appiatse incident resulted in detrimental environmental damage, including the dispersion of particulate matter, dust, soil, and water pollution in the catchment area. Similarly, the high levels of ground vibration caused by the incident resulted in the razing down of most of the structures which were constructs of wattle and daub plastered with concrete. Earth observation (EO) technologies, such as satellite imagery and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data, play a crucial role in disaster management by providing accurate and detailed assessments of damage, enabling effective emergency response and recovery efforts. The impact of the Appiatse explosion was detected by the Enhanced Pollution Management (EPM) EO service, piloted in Ghana, through a time-series analysis. In this research, a damage assessment was carried out using EO data. A collection of Sentinel-2 (10 m resolution) optical satellite images, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, and aerial images obtained from a UAV survey (3 cm resolution) were used for the analysis. The damage assessment map of Appiatse provides insights into the extent and severity of the impact, demonstrating the value of integrating various EO data sources for detailed post-hazard damage assessment. The findings from the current research highlight the lack of compliance with the protocols for the transport of hazardous chemicals in Ghana and highlight the need to strictly adhere to safety protocols prescribed by relevant authorities to ensure environmental safety and curb such incidents in the future.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13
Page(s)	73-88
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Appiatse, Damage Assessment Map, Disaster Preparedness, Earth Observation, Explosion, Hazardous Chemicals

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Tagoe, N. D., Ashun, E. (2024). Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 12(3), 73-88. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13

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Tagoe, N. D.; Ashun, E. Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2024, 12(3), 73-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13

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Tagoe ND, Ashun E. Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2024;12(3):73-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13,
  author = {Naa Dedei Tagoe and Ebenezer Ashun},
  title = {Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana
},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {73-88},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20241203.13},
  abstract = {On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a motorbike allegedly collided with a truck carrying about 10 tonnes of ammonium nitrate explosives. The explosion caused a blast that created an 18 m diameter crater at the centre of the road and leveled almost the entire village of Appiatse, located in the Prestea Huni Valley District in the Western Region of Ghana. During such disasters, whether natural or anthropogenic, rapid assessment is crucial for an appropriate and effective emergency response. The Appiatse incident resulted in detrimental environmental damage, including the dispersion of particulate matter, dust, soil, and water pollution in the catchment area. Similarly, the high levels of ground vibration caused by the incident resulted in the razing down of most of the structures which were constructs of wattle and daub plastered with concrete. Earth observation (EO) technologies, such as satellite imagery and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data, play a crucial role in disaster management by providing accurate and detailed assessments of damage, enabling effective emergency response and recovery efforts. The impact of the Appiatse explosion was detected by the Enhanced Pollution Management (EPM) EO service, piloted in Ghana, through a time-series analysis. In this research, a damage assessment was carried out using EO data. A collection of Sentinel-2 (10 m resolution) optical satellite images, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, and aerial images obtained from a UAV survey (3 cm resolution) were used for the analysis. The damage assessment map of Appiatse provides insights into the extent and severity of the impact, demonstrating the value of integrating various EO data sources for detailed post-hazard damage assessment. The findings from the current research highlight the lack of compliance with the protocols for the transport of hazardous chemicals in Ghana and highlight the need to strictly adhere to safety protocols prescribed by relevant authorities to ensure environmental safety and curb such incidents in the future.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana

AU  - Naa Dedei Tagoe
AU  - Ebenezer Ashun
Y1  - 2024/07/27
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 73
EP  - 88
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13
AB  - On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a motorbike allegedly collided with a truck carrying about 10 tonnes of ammonium nitrate explosives. The explosion caused a blast that created an 18 m diameter crater at the centre of the road and leveled almost the entire village of Appiatse, located in the Prestea Huni Valley District in the Western Region of Ghana. During such disasters, whether natural or anthropogenic, rapid assessment is crucial for an appropriate and effective emergency response. The Appiatse incident resulted in detrimental environmental damage, including the dispersion of particulate matter, dust, soil, and water pollution in the catchment area. Similarly, the high levels of ground vibration caused by the incident resulted in the razing down of most of the structures which were constructs of wattle and daub plastered with concrete. Earth observation (EO) technologies, such as satellite imagery and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data, play a crucial role in disaster management by providing accurate and detailed assessments of damage, enabling effective emergency response and recovery efforts. The impact of the Appiatse explosion was detected by the Enhanced Pollution Management (EPM) EO service, piloted in Ghana, through a time-series analysis. In this research, a damage assessment was carried out using EO data. A collection of Sentinel-2 (10 m resolution) optical satellite images, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, and aerial images obtained from a UAV survey (3 cm resolution) were used for the analysis. The damage assessment map of Appiatse provides insights into the extent and severity of the impact, demonstrating the value of integrating various EO data sources for detailed post-hazard damage assessment. The findings from the current research highlight the lack of compliance with the protocols for the transport of hazardous chemicals in Ghana and highlight the need to strictly adhere to safety protocols prescribed by relevant authorities to ensure environmental safety and curb such incidents in the future.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Naa Dedei Tagoe

Department of Geomatic Engineering, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8707-1121
Ebenezer Ashun

Department of Environmental and Safety Engineering, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6379-9118

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APA Style

Tagoe, N. D., Ashun, E. (2024). Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 12(3), 73-88. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13

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ACS Style

Tagoe, N. D.; Ashun, E. Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2024, 12(3), 73-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13

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AMA Style

Tagoe ND, Ashun E. Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2024;12(3):73-88. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13,
  author = {Naa Dedei Tagoe and Ebenezer Ashun},
  title = {Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana
},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {73-88},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20241203.13},
  abstract = {On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a motorbike allegedly collided with a truck carrying about 10 tonnes of ammonium nitrate explosives. The explosion caused a blast that created an 18 m diameter crater at the centre of the road and leveled almost the entire village of Appiatse, located in the Prestea Huni Valley District in the Western Region of Ghana. During such disasters, whether natural or anthropogenic, rapid assessment is crucial for an appropriate and effective emergency response. The Appiatse incident resulted in detrimental environmental damage, including the dispersion of particulate matter, dust, soil, and water pollution in the catchment area. Similarly, the high levels of ground vibration caused by the incident resulted in the razing down of most of the structures which were constructs of wattle and daub plastered with concrete. Earth observation (EO) technologies, such as satellite imagery and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data, play a crucial role in disaster management by providing accurate and detailed assessments of damage, enabling effective emergency response and recovery efforts. The impact of the Appiatse explosion was detected by the Enhanced Pollution Management (EPM) EO service, piloted in Ghana, through a time-series analysis. In this research, a damage assessment was carried out using EO data. A collection of Sentinel-2 (10 m resolution) optical satellite images, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, and aerial images obtained from a UAV survey (3 cm resolution) were used for the analysis. The damage assessment map of Appiatse provides insights into the extent and severity of the impact, demonstrating the value of integrating various EO data sources for detailed post-hazard damage assessment. The findings from the current research highlight the lack of compliance with the protocols for the transport of hazardous chemicals in Ghana and highlight the need to strictly adhere to safety protocols prescribed by relevant authorities to ensure environmental safety and curb such incidents in the future.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Earth Observation Data to Support Post-Hazard Damage Assessment: A Case Study of the Appiatse Explosion in Ghana

AU  - Naa Dedei Tagoe
AU  - Ebenezer Ashun
Y1  - 2024/07/27
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 73
EP  - 88
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20241203.13
AB  - On Thursday, January 20, 2022, a motorbike allegedly collided with a truck carrying about 10 tonnes of ammonium nitrate explosives. The explosion caused a blast that created an 18 m diameter crater at the centre of the road and leveled almost the entire village of Appiatse, located in the Prestea Huni Valley District in the Western Region of Ghana. During such disasters, whether natural or anthropogenic, rapid assessment is crucial for an appropriate and effective emergency response. The Appiatse incident resulted in detrimental environmental damage, including the dispersion of particulate matter, dust, soil, and water pollution in the catchment area. Similarly, the high levels of ground vibration caused by the incident resulted in the razing down of most of the structures which were constructs of wattle and daub plastered with concrete. Earth observation (EO) technologies, such as satellite imagery and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data, play a crucial role in disaster management by providing accurate and detailed assessments of damage, enabling effective emergency response and recovery efforts. The impact of the Appiatse explosion was detected by the Enhanced Pollution Management (EPM) EO service, piloted in Ghana, through a time-series analysis. In this research, a damage assessment was carried out using EO data. A collection of Sentinel-2 (10 m resolution) optical satellite images, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, and aerial images obtained from a UAV survey (3 cm resolution) were used for the analysis. The damage assessment map of Appiatse provides insights into the extent and severity of the impact, demonstrating the value of integrating various EO data sources for detailed post-hazard damage assessment. The findings from the current research highlight the lack of compliance with the protocols for the transport of hazardous chemicals in Ghana and highlight the need to strictly adhere to safety protocols prescribed by relevant authorities to ensure environmental safety and curb such incidents in the future.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

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