A fuzzy approach for reforming earthquake map

Due to the complexity of the earthquake systems, it is impossible to produce any acceptable earthquake risk map. This paper suggests a fuzzy approach for reforming earthquake map by the integration of fuzzy set theory, risk analysis and geographical information system(GIS) technology. The implications of the incorporation of fuzzy set methodologies into earthquake map for GIS application are twofold: first, the interior-outer-set model is introduced to calculate fuzzy probabilities of earthquakes for showing the imprecision of the probabilities from incomplete data; and second, graphical ways to express the outcomes of the calculation is provided to show how fuzzy set methodologies may be incorporated into GIS technologies. In addition, examples are given to demonstrate the method. The map using the fuzzy probabilities is called soft risk map. It is shown that soft risk maps are capable of providing more reliable information than traditional earthquake maps for rationally regulating decision-makings.