SEISMIC HAZARD ESTIMATION USING GIS

Abstract

Seismic hazard has always constituted a major problem for the developing nations as well as developed nations. In the present study a methodology is developed, which integrates the technology of geographic information systems in evaluating the seismic hazard assessment. This methodology incorporates deterministic approach for estimating seismic hazard. An interactive programme is developed to carry out the hazard assessment in Avenue, the macro language of ARC VIEW 3.1 GIS and is customized in the form of a dynamic tool, "Seismic Hazard Assessment Tool" with the software. The program automates all the operations for the determination of seismic hazard such as input, analysis and output. This produces the seismic hazard assessment in terms of Peak Ground Accelerations (PGA) values and could be displayed onscreen at every point of the study area. An attempt has been made to study the problem of seismic hazard in northern part of India adjoining Delhi. This particular area has been selected in order to apply the methodology in an area strongly affected by earthquakes. The presence of neotectonic faults in this area shows a high level of seismicity. The factors contributing to the earthquakes and different methodologies used to estimate seismic hazard have been studied. The results are presented in the form of expected peak ground accelerations in the region. From the results it is concluded that the hazard is more in the northern side of the area in comparison to southern side especially near to seismogenic zones.