Seismic microzonation is a procedure for estimating the total seismic hazard from ground shaking and related phenomenon by taking into account the effects of local site conditions. Microzonation maps thus prepared identify the zones having different potential for hazardous earthquake effects.

Microzonation maps are primarily used for land use management and city planning. It is an efficient tool to mitigate the earthquake risk by hazard-related land use management. The map can be used for future planning regarding selection of sites for urban expansion and location/relocation of critical public facilities and utilities, which should be directed towards areas of relatively lower earthquake hazard.

Microzonation takes into account the following aspects:

• Ground Shaking Intensity
• Surface Faulting and Tectonic Deformations
• Slope instability; Landslides, Rock Falls
• Liquefaction and Settlement Susceptibility
• Earthquake Related Flooding