Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a crucial role in disaster management due to their capability to integrate spatial and attribute data for hazard mapping. This integrated approach is vital for assessing, planning, and managing disaster risks and responses. Let's examine why the correct option stands out:

• Option 1: Measures permeability of soil samples for hazard mapping - While measuring soil permeability is important for understanding one aspect of natural hazards like landslides or floods, GIS itself does not measure physical properties of materials directly. This task typically requires lab tests and soil analysis.
• Option 2: Calculates settlement in shallow foundations for hazard mapping - Calculating settlements is more related to geotechnical engineering and involves soil mechanics. GIS is not used for these calculations as it is designed for spatial data analysis.
• Option 3: Determines tensile strength of steel reinforcement for hazard mapping - Tensile strength analysis is associated with structural engineering rather than GIS technology. GIS does not measure or calculate material tensile strength.
• Option 4: Integrates spatial and attributes data for hazard mapping - This is the correct answer. GIS excels at combining spatial (location-based) and attribute (descriptive) data, which is essential for creating detailed hazard maps and supporting disaster management efforts. By bringing together various data layers, GIS helps visualize potential risk areas, facilitates emergency planning, and enhances decision-making.

Thus, GIS's core capability in disaster management lies in its ability to integrate and analyze spatial and attribute data effectively. This comprehensive data integration is crucial for identifying, mapping, and addressing disaster risks comprehensively.