A GIS-Based Fuzzy AHP Approach for Seismic Network Station Placement

The optimal placement of seismic network stations is crucial for enhancing detection capability, improving data quality, and refining seismic hazard assessment. Station siting involves multiple, ojen conflicting criteria related to environmental conditions, anthropogenic noise sources, geological suitability, and logistical constraints. This study presents a GIS-based multicriteria decision-making framework integrating the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) to determine suitable locations for seismic station placement. A comprehensive set of spatial criteria was considered, including geological characteristics, hydrological conditions, land cover and forest distribution, proximity to industrial zones, traffic density, transportation infrastructure, and other environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting seismic noise and site stability. Fuzzy AHP was employed to address uncertainty and subjectivity in expert judgments during the criteriaweighting process, enabling more flexible and realistic pairwise comparisons. The weighted criteria were integrated within a GIS environment to generate a spatial suitability map identifying suitable zones for station installation. The results demonstrate that integrating fuzzy-based multicriteria evaluation with spatial analysis significantly enhances decision support for seismic network design. The proposed approach provides a systematic, transparent, and adaptable framework that can be applied to both regional and national-scale seismic network planning.