Morphometric evidence of seismicity around Wagad and Gedi Faults, eastern Kachchh, Gujarat

Recent studies suggest that the eastern Kachchh is a potential zone for major earthquakes in the near future. Particularly, the E-W trending faults are considered capable of generating large magnitude earthquakes is further indicated by the recent concentration of the earthquake shocks, which, show two prominent clustering around west and north of the Wagad upland. In view of this, the conventional morphometric analyses of a terrain bounded by the E-W trending North Wagad Fault (NWF) and the Gedi Fault (GF) has been undertaken to ascertain the influence of seismicity in the evolution of the drainage basin. The study suggests that the fifth order drainage basins responded to the seismicity associated with both the NWF and GF. However, compared to the GF, the NWF seems to be more active. In addition to this, based on the stream morphology, we could identify two lineaments trending N-S and E-W. The former appears to be associated with the activity along the Manfara Fault (MF), whereas, the later seems to be the splays of the NWF. Further, a preferential westward shift of the streams suggests left lateral displacement of the E-W trending faults. Overall it can be suggested that the terrain is in juvenile stage implying tectonic instability.