Frequently Asked Questions

A short list of questions to assist course participants with the common questions asked by new users when performing a natural disaster scenario analysis with QGIS and InaSAFE.

  1. What are the important things that need to be prepared before running InaSAFE?

    • To run InaSAFE you need one hazard dataset and one exposure dataset.
    • The data must have keywords defined (current version) and it must be turned on.
    • There must be an overlap between the hazard and exposure layers.
  2. Why are there is no active layers available in the InaSAFE dock?

    • Check that your data layers are turned on
    • Check that the layers have keywords defined.
    • If keywords are not defined or are not current, use the keywords wizard.
  3. The data has keywords defined, but it is not showing up in the dock as an option for InaSAFE analysis?

    • Check the keyword version is the same with the InaSAFE version.
    • Use the keywords wizard tools and update your keywords if necessary.
    • Check that the layer appears in the map and is turned on.
  4. The data has keywords and is showing up in the dock, but there is no option in the “might” list?

  5. Can InaSAFE summarise the impact summary results for different areas?

    • Yes, you can use the aggregation feature in InaSAFE to summarise the impact summary results for smaller areas such as administration districts.
  6. Why are there no options for population in the keyword for my vector population data?

    • Make sure that your population data in raster format
    • The current version of InaSAFE only supports raster population data.
    • See more in InaSAFE concepts ..
  7. Can InaSAFE be used to analyse hazard data besides flood, tsunami, earthquake and volcanic hazard?

    • Yes it can. InaSAFE has a Generic Hazard Impact Function that can be used to analyse other hazards as long as the data are classified.
    • Classified data will have values such as Low, Medium and High.
  8. Why is there some data that is not relevant showing on my pdf map when I print?

    • Before you click the “Print” button, please turn off any layers you do not want to see on the map.
    • Rearrange the order of layers to make sure the important things are on top.
  9. Why are the impact results different in different parts of the impact report?

    • In the general report the results are rounded.
    • In the detailed report the results may not be rounded as much.
    • InaSAFE provides an estimate of the impact. Rounded numbers are good estimates.
  10. My hazard and exposure data have different projections, can I still run an InaSAFE analysis on these data?

    • Yes you can, but you need to enable on the fly projection.

    • In QGIS, activate OTF CRS Transformation
      • Project > Project Properties > CRS
      • checkbox in the Enable ‘on the fly’ CRS transformation.
  11. My flood polygon hazard data includes a flood depth. Why can’t I run an analysis in InaSAFE and set the threshold with these data?

    • At this moment, users can only set a flood depth threshold for raster data.
    • If you would like to build a new impact function to work with different types of hazard data, please contact the developer team.