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Seismic Hazards Assessment in the Eastern Himalayas Region

Received: 26 August 2021    Accepted: 29 October 2021    Published: 23 November 2021
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Abstract

Spatial distribution of seismicity and seismic characteristics (fractal dimension, b-value, energy release, reoccurrence period) are assessed for the Himalayan Region (27° – 30°N and 85°– 97°E). The database consists of relocated earthquakes M ≥ 3.8 selected for the period 1964-2017 from the International Seismological Centre (ISC) catalogues (Engdahl, van der Hilst, and Buland (EHB) 2007). The Gutenberg - Richter frequency-magnitude relation (b-value) is calculated by the Maximum Likelihood Method (MLM) and by Least Square Method. The fractal dimension is estimated using the correlation integral method. The entire event set was also used for estimating radiated energy in the region. Four probabilistic models namely, Weibul, Gamma, Lognormal and Exponential have been used to estimate the probability of the occurrence of moderate earthquakes (M ≥ 5.5 and M ≥ 6.5) during a specified interval of time using the Maximum Likelihood Estimates (MLE) for estimating the model parameters. The highly stressed zones in the entire region are indicated by low b-values, low fractal dimension and low radiated energy. The vulnerable zones (Arunachal Himalayas, Mishami thrust zone) have been identified by these maps which are further corroborated with the probabilistic models to assess the seismic hazards in the Himalaya region. These areas are indicative of future probable earthquakes regions.

Published in American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering (Volume 5, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13
Page(s) 95-103
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Eastern Himalayas, b-value, Fractal Dimension, Radiated Energy, Return Periods

References
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  • APA Style

    Uma Ghosh, Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya. (2021). Seismic Hazards Assessment in the Eastern Himalayas Region. American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 5(4), 95-103. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13

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    ACS Style

    Uma Ghosh; Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya. Seismic Hazards Assessment in the Eastern Himalayas Region. Am. J. Environ. Sci. Eng. 2021, 5(4), 95-103. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13

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    AMA Style

    Uma Ghosh, Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya. Seismic Hazards Assessment in the Eastern Himalayas Region. Am J Environ Sci Eng. 2021;5(4):95-103. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13,
      author = {Uma Ghosh and Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya},
      title = {Seismic Hazards Assessment in the Eastern Himalayas Region},
      journal = {American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering},
      volume = {5},
      number = {4},
      pages = {95-103},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajese.20210504.13},
      abstract = {Spatial distribution of seismicity and seismic characteristics (fractal dimension, b-value, energy release, reoccurrence period) are assessed for the Himalayan Region (27° – 30°N and 85°– 97°E). The database consists of relocated earthquakes M ≥ 3.8 selected for the period 1964-2017 from the International Seismological Centre (ISC) catalogues (Engdahl, van der Hilst, and Buland (EHB) 2007). The Gutenberg - Richter frequency-magnitude relation (b-value) is calculated by the Maximum Likelihood Method (MLM) and by Least Square Method. The fractal dimension is estimated using the correlation integral method. The entire event set was also used for estimating radiated energy in the region. Four probabilistic models namely, Weibul, Gamma, Lognormal and Exponential have been used to estimate the probability of the occurrence of moderate earthquakes (M ≥ 5.5 and M ≥ 6.5) during a specified interval of time using the Maximum Likelihood Estimates (MLE) for estimating the model parameters. The highly stressed zones in the entire region are indicated by low b-values, low fractal dimension and low radiated energy. The vulnerable zones (Arunachal Himalayas, Mishami thrust zone) have been identified by these maps which are further corroborated with the probabilistic models to assess the seismic hazards in the Himalaya region. These areas are indicative of future probable earthquakes regions.},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Seismic Hazards Assessment in the Eastern Himalayas Region
    AU  - Uma Ghosh
    AU  - Pankaj Mala Bhattacharya
    Y1  - 2021/11/23
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    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13
    T2  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
    JF  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
    JO  - American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering
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    EP  - 103
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-7993
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajese.20210504.13
    AB  - Spatial distribution of seismicity and seismic characteristics (fractal dimension, b-value, energy release, reoccurrence period) are assessed for the Himalayan Region (27° – 30°N and 85°– 97°E). The database consists of relocated earthquakes M ≥ 3.8 selected for the period 1964-2017 from the International Seismological Centre (ISC) catalogues (Engdahl, van der Hilst, and Buland (EHB) 2007). The Gutenberg - Richter frequency-magnitude relation (b-value) is calculated by the Maximum Likelihood Method (MLM) and by Least Square Method. The fractal dimension is estimated using the correlation integral method. The entire event set was also used for estimating radiated energy in the region. Four probabilistic models namely, Weibul, Gamma, Lognormal and Exponential have been used to estimate the probability of the occurrence of moderate earthquakes (M ≥ 5.5 and M ≥ 6.5) during a specified interval of time using the Maximum Likelihood Estimates (MLE) for estimating the model parameters. The highly stressed zones in the entire region are indicated by low b-values, low fractal dimension and low radiated energy. The vulnerable zones (Arunachal Himalayas, Mishami thrust zone) have been identified by these maps which are further corroborated with the probabilistic models to assess the seismic hazards in the Himalaya region. These areas are indicative of future probable earthquakes regions.
    VL  - 5
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Siddhinath Mahavidyalaya, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India

  • Geological Survey of India, Kolkata, India

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