THE NEED TO FIND A BALANCE BETWEEN GLOBAL AND LOCAL DATA SETS FOR HAZARD COMMUNICATION

As the availability of global datasets increases, the need to evaluate changing local conditions becomes simultaneously easier and potentially more uncertain. As global conditions continue to change due to a variety of factors, among these drivers are: climate change, land-use change, and shifting infrastructural needs, it is becoming increasingly necessary to understand how global conditions impact local settings. It is important for the technical analyst of these global data to recognize the limits of resolution for these global data to assist local decision-makers properly evaluate potential risks associated with local and regional hazards.

One example of situations that can develop are related to globally available maps such as GLobal HYdrogeology MaPS (GLHYMPS 2.0), Global Lithology Map (GLiM), and the Global Unconsolidated Map (GUM). At the global and continental levels each of these data sets are a powerful resource, but the resolution may be too coarse to assist with local-level decisions. In order to supplement these data sets, it is necessary to incorporate locally developed data sets. However, the locally developed data sets will lack a global context which is becoming increasingly important in an ESG-centered (Environmental, Social, and Governance) decision space.

In order to provide better information to decision-makers, it is becoming increasingly important for analysts to understand at what resolution will global data sets no longer provide an accurate prediction to a location and when should analysts transition their emphasis to locally developed data-sets. Helping early career analysts with finding the balance between using computationally efficient global data sets and location specific data, to better communicate potential hazards to decision makers along with these hazard’s regional context, was one of Keith Turner’s final projects of his career.