Method for site selection of relief supply warehouses in earthquakes with Ms≥7– A case study of western Yunnan, China

Abstract Relief supply warehouses provide necessities of life for victims in disaster relief. The science behind site selection for large relief supply warehouses determines whether victims in earthquakes with Ms ≥ 7 can receive timely and effective relief. This study proposed a method of site selection for relief supply warehouses based on the prediction of earthquake disasters and the quantification of site selection criteria. This method considered four factors, i.e., the prediction of earthquake-prone areas, the identification of building distribution, the mode of post-earthquake transport of relief supplies, and the construction standards of relief supply warehouses. Taking western Yunnan Province for a case study, this study first identified seven disaster-affected areas, then determined the helicopter's most extensive safe flight range in post-earthquake transport of relief supplies. Next, it quantified and classified the site selection criteria of relief supply warehouses in China and selected the top ten candidate sites meeting the necessary conditions. Finally, it obtained the ideal site using reference conditions.