Seismic site characterization from space

Earthquakes are the most devastating natural calamity with high mortality rate and wide spread destruction. Earthquake induced ground shaking play a vital role in infrastructure damages and triggering the secondary hazards such as landslides, flooding, tsunamis, fire, liquefaction and ground displacement. Magnitude and duration of ground shaking are the deciding factors for intensity of earthquake devastation. Spatial variation of ground shaking, at local scale, depends on site effects. Site effects are represented by evaluating the influence of geology, geomorphology (regolith cover) and topography on seismic response.

Satellite remote sensing is an efficient tool to acquire spatial and temporal information of an object or phenomenon from a distance at wider scale. Remote sensing data and techniques are extensively used in domain of earthquake mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Moreover, fine resolution remote sensing images are effectively used for quick earthquake induced damage assessment. Improvement in spatial and spectral resolution, coverage and availability of remote sensing data support near-real time monitoring and effective response of seismic hazards. Remote sensing derived digital elevation models (DEM) providing topographic information are repeatedly used for seismic site characterization.
Seismic site characterization group (working at NCEG) has applied remote sensing DEMs for evaluating the impact of topography on seismic response. Remote sensing data is used to model the spatial distribution of the regolith thickness in the Kashmir earthquake (2005) affected area and evaluated regolith thickness impact on earthquake induced damages. Remote sensing derived seismic site characterization maps are prepared for formulating seismic mitigation strategies and effective response. The research output of theme is published in peer reviewed journals and presented at international forums.