Comparisons of research and local government surveys of damage for the 2011 Northern Nagano earthquake

Abstract

We conducted a damage survey of wooden houses in Sakae village, Nagano prefecture, and Tsunan town in Niigata prefecture for the 2011 Northern Nagano earthquake. Percentages of totally-collapsed and partially-collapsed buildings in local districts are computed based on the observations. Using different criteria, local governments also conducted damage surveys for purposes of emergency response and recovery plans. We compared results from both types of surveys, and found that the damage percentages in each district were consistent. This indicates that the results of damage surveys conducted by local governments may be used as a complement to surveys carried out for research purposes.