Earthquake precursory research in western Himalaya based on the multi-parametric geophysical observatory data

The opening of cracks and influx of fluids in the dilatancy zone of impending earthquake is expected to induce short-term changes in physical/chemical/hydrological properties during earthquake build-up cycle, which should be reflected in time-varying geophysical fields. With this rationale, eleven geophysical parameters are being recorded in continuous mode at the Multi-Parametric Geophysical Observatory (MPGO), in Ghuttu, Garhwal Himalaya, for earthquake precursory research. The critical analysis of various geophysical time series indicates anomalous behavior at few occasions; however, the data is also influenced by many external forces. These external influences are the major deterrent for the isolation of precursory signals. The recent work is focused on the data adoptive techniques to estimate and eliminate effects of solar-terrestrial and hydrological/environmental factors for delimiting the data to identify short-term precursors. Although any significant earthquake is not reported close to the observatory, some weak precursory signals and coseismic changes have been identified in few parameters related to the occurrence of moderate and strong earthquakes.     

The effects of attenuation and site on the spectra of microearthquakes in the Jubilee Hills region of Hyderabad,India

Microearthquake spectra from Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad are analyzed to observe the effect of attenuation and site on these spectra. The ratios of spectral amplitudes at lower and higher frequency are measured for three different stations at varying epicentral distances to estimate Q value for both P-and S-wave in near and sub-surface layer. Average estimates of Qp and Qs are 235 and 278 respectively. Value of Qs/Qp larger than 1.0 suggests dry crust for most of the Jubilee Hills region. The near-surface low Qp and Qs for 0 km to 0.9 km depth coincide with the soil layer, top and semi-weathered and highly fractured zone. In contrast, at a shallower depth beneath the Jubilee Hills area, Hyderabad, we obtain high Qp and Qs zone, which corresponds to the dense and high velocity rocks of the region. The varying corner frequencies for these spectra are inferred to be characteristics of site. Comparisons of disparity in spectral content with reference to hard rock site conclude that lithology of the northwest part of Jubilee Hills area amplify about twice the incoming seismic signal, as compared to the southern part best outlined at 8 to 10 Hz only.     

Assessment of Liquefaction Potential of Guwahati City: A Case Study

The liquefaction potential of saturated cohesionless deposits in Guwahati city, Assam, was evaluated. The critical cyclic stress ratio required to cause liquefaction and the cyclic stress ratio induced by an earthquake were obtained using the simplified empirical method developed by Seed and Idriss (J soil Mech Found Eng ASCE 97(SM9):1249–1273, 1971, Ground motions and soil liquefaction during earthquakes. Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Berkeley, CA, 1982) and Seed et al. (J Geotech Eng ASCE 109(3):458–483, 1983, J Geotech Eng ASCE 111(12):1425–1445, 1985) and the Idriss and Boulanger (2004) method. Critical cyclic stress ratio was based on the empirical relationship between standard penetration resistance and cyclic stress ratio. The liquefaction potential was evaluated by determining factor of safety against liquefaction with depth for areas in the city. A soil database from 200 boreholes covering an area of 262 km² was used for the purpose. A design peak ground acceleration of 0.36 g was used since Guwahati falls in zone V according to the seismic zoning map of India. The results show that 48 sites in Guwahati are vulnerable to liquefaction according to the Seed and Idriss method and 49 sites are vulnerable to liquefaction according to the Idriss and Boulanger method. Results are presented as maps showing zones of levels of risk of liquefaction.     

Upper mantle anisotropy beneath northeast India–Asia collision zone from shear-wave splitting analysis

Teleseismic earthquake data recorded by 11 broadband digital seismic stations deployed in the India–Asia collision zone in the eastern extremity of the Himalayan orogen (Tidding Suture) are analyzed to investigate the seismic anisotropy in the upper mantle. Shear-wave splitting parameters (Φ and δt) derived from the analysis of core-refracted SKS phases provide first hand information about seismic anisotropy and deformation in the upper mantle beneath the region. The analysis shows considerable strength of anisotropy (delay time ~0.85–1.9 s) with average ENE–WSW-oriented fast polarization direction (FPD) at most of the stations. The FPD observed at stations close to the Tidding Suture aligns parallel to the strike of local geological faults and orthogonal to absolute plate motion direction of the Indian plate. The average trend of FPD at each station indicates that the anisotropy is primarily originated by lithospheric deformation due to India–Asia collision. The splitting data analyzed at closely spaced stations suggest a shallow source of anisotropy originated in the crust and upper mantle. The observed delay times indicate that the primary source of anisotropy is located in the upper mantle. The shear-wave splitting analysis in the Eastern Himalayan syntaxis (EHS) and surrounding regions suggests complex strain partitioning in the mantle which is accountable for evolution of the EHS and complicated syntaxial tectonics.