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Probabilistic seismic hazard map of NW Himalaya and its adjoining area, India

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Abstract

The seismically active Northwest (NW) Himalaya falls within Seismic Zone IV and V of the hazard zonation map of India. The region has suffered several moderate (~25), large-to-great earthquakes (~4) since Assam earthquake of 1897. In view of the major advancement made in understanding the seismicity and seismotectonics of this region during the last two decades, an updated probabilistic seismic hazard map of NW Himalaya and its adjoining areas covering 28–34°N and 74–82°E is prepared. The northwest Himalaya and its adjoining area is divided into nineteen different seismogenic source zones; and two different region-specific attenuation relationships have been used for seismic hazard assessment. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) estimated for 10% probability of exceedance in 50 and 10 years at locations defined in the grid of 0.25 × 0.25°. The computed seismic hazard map reveals longitudinal variation in hazard level along the NW Himalayan arc. The high hazard potential zones are centred around Kashmir region (0.70 g/0.35 g), Kangra region (0.50 g/0.020 g), Kaurik-Spitti region (0.45 g/0.20 g), Garhwal region (0.50 g/0.20 g) and Darchula region (0.50 g/0.20 g) with intervening low hazard area of the order of 0.25 g/0.02 g for 10% probability in 50 and 10 years in each region respectively.

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Acknowledgments

The present work has been carried out under the DST sponsored project no. DST/23(322)/SU/2001, and authors duly acknowledge the grant received under this project to complete the task. The authors are also thankful to Dr H. K. Gupta, Dr H. N. Srivastava and other committee members who have provided guidance while carrying out this work. The authors are also thankful to Prof. B. R. Arora Director, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun for fruitful discussion and suggestions in improving this manuscript. The Director, WIHG, is thanked for according permission to publish this manuscript.

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  1. Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, 33, GMS Road, Dehradun, India

    A. K. Mahajan, V. C. Thakur & Mukesh Chauhan

  2. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Rookree, India

    Mukat Lal Sharma

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  1. A. K. Mahajan
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  2. V. C. Thakur
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Mahajan, A.K., Thakur, V.C., Sharma, M.L. et al. Probabilistic seismic hazard map of NW Himalaya and its adjoining area, India. Nat Hazards 53, 443–457 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-009-9439-3

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