Geological Hazard Assessment (GHA) serves as a basic tool in modern urban and rural development in terms of setting broader guidelines for Hazard Based Regional Land Use Management and establishing the area specific assessment of localized Total Hazard to which the given landform might be subjected through the course of time. Since earthquake losses are primarily the consequence of building and infrastructure failure induced by an earthquake, GHA serves in four principal ways to minimize these losses. |
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Avoid setting of new buildings and infrastructure in Highly Hazardous Zone. |
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Ensure design adequacy for the construction of new buildings and infrastructure to resist expected earthquake load |
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Seismic retrofit of existing damaged / undamaged buildings and infrastructure if possible, otherwise relocation and reconstruction of these structures to relatively safer areas. |
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Master Planning for Hazard based Regional and Urban Land Use Management |
Systematic Analysis and Evaluation of Geologic, Seismic, Structural and Geotechnical data leads to the derivation and compilation of Seismic Hazard Macro & Micro Zonation Maps that define the nature, type, extent and intensity of the potential natural hazards to which the area understudy is prone within the given time frame. Rigorous application of these maps is highly desired for all new urban planning, development and construction, since these are the outcome of worldwide experience of earthquake damage and extensive research.
These scientifically based tools are now available to planners, developers, designers, builders and financers for earthquake risk reduction and mitigation.
Scope of work related to Geological Hazard Assessment (GHA) in earthquake affected areas of KPK and AJK is outlined hereunder: |
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Initial reconstruction suitability assessment of over twelve thousand (12000) reconstruction / rehabilitation sites located in Oct 08, 2005 earthquake affected areas of KPK & AJK. |
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Collection, review and analysis of existing data and reports relating to geology, geotectonics, geomorphology and seismotectonics with emphasis on Quaternary fault studies. |
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Collection of historical and instrumental seismic data from different national and international agencies. |
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Geo-structural interpretation of post and pre earthquake satellite imagery using Remote Sensing Techniques to delineate active fault zones, lineaments, tectonic scars and areas prone to earthquake related flooding, ground subsidence, landslides and other slope instabilities, being the most critical hazard for rehabilitation and reconstruction. |
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Preparation of slope maps of areas understudy for SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission) Satellite Data with 90 m resolution. |
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Formulation of area-specific Thematic Data Sheets for recording field observations related to seismicity, geology and geotectonics during field surveys for developing Seismic Hazard Microzonation maps of urban areas. |
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Formulation of area-specific Thematic Data Sheets for recording field observations regarding the site specific hazard based reconstruction suitability assessment of individual Category ‘C’, ‘D’ and Understudy ‘US’ reconstruction sites. |
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Carry out field studies to assess the site specific hazard based reconstruction suitability assessment of original / proposed sites which includes (a) confirmation of active and potential fault rupture zones, (b) Collection of Geologic data related to Hazard Assessment (c) Study of landslides and unstable hillslopes, and (d) Physical Inspection of reconstruction sties for Localized Hazards. |
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Preparation of finalized hybrid map comprising of ground topographic sheets, geologic maps, fault zones and buffer zones along faults for the evaluation of Geologic and Seismic Hazards. |
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Compilation of regional geologic and tectonic maps for Initial Reconstruction Suitability Assessment based on both desk and field study on GIS database. |
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Analysis and evaluation of seismic design parameters on the basis of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. |
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Initial Reconstruction Suitability Assessment of Education, Health, Governance, Roads and infrastructure facilities on the basis of seismic and geologic hazards. |
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Guidelines to relocate the lifeline facilities at relatively safer areas, which are less prone to seismic, geologic and local hazards. |
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Specialized desk studies for the assessment of geologic, seismic and earthquake related Local Hazard for Category ‘D’ and ‘CD’ facilities in all sectors of development such as Education, Health, Governance, Roads and Infrastructure. These studies are followed by inspection of individual reconstruction sites for actualistic assessment of hazard based suitability of these facilities under the additional Foundation and Structural strengthening measures specified in the Structural Design Provisions of Category ‘D’ and ‘DD’sites. |
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