Big Data Challenges and Hazards Modeling

In this work we present an overview of the challenges presented by remote sensing and other big data sources for hazards modeling and response in the world today. Big data not only provides vital information for rapid and efficient assessment of the effects and impacts of natural and anthropogenic effects, but is also an important boundary object facilitating communication and interaction between the relevant scientific, business, and governmental organizations. To effectively serve that role, big data must be credible, salient, and legitimate. The characteristics of big data are examined and we conclude that the most important ones for this application are volume, velocity, variety, and value. We present two different applications from the fields of climate and the solid earth science that are designed to solve these challenges for big data science.