Evaluation of seismic and typical associated hazards in earthquake affected areas of Azad Kashmir

Muhammad Javed and Basit Masud

National Engineering Services of Pakistan (NESPAK), Lahore, Pakistan

Extensive areas in Pakistan and Kashmir faced colossal damages during the October 08, 2005 earthquake. The extent and nature of structural damages caused by the earthquake warrant giving due respect to seismic and associated hazards while preparing master plans and design of reconstruction and rehabilitation works. With this requirement in background, and evaluation of seismic hazard of the entire earthquake affected area and a study of other hazards caused due to earthquake in the major affected towns of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was conducted.

The seismic hazard evaluation was conducted using probabilistic approach, incorporating all relevant tectonic and seismic data. Ground motions in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA) associated with different return periods were calculated at 0.1 degree resolution and PGA contour maps developed for recommending seismic design parameters. The study of other hazards included identification and estimation of hazards likely to occur in case of major earthquakes considering the tectonics and terrain characteristics. The principal associated hazards include landslides, slope instability, rock falls, bench collapse, surface rupture, liquefaction and flooding. Based on this study, seismic hazard microzonation maps were prepared for providing guidelines for the town planners and designers.