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In the present study ground motions for a Mw 8.5 scenario earthquake are estimated at 13 sites in Kumaun-Garhwal region using the empirical Green’s function technique. The recordings of 1991 Uttarkashi earthquake of Mw 6.8 at these sites are used as an element earthquake. A heterogeneous source model consisting of two asperities is considered for simulating the ground motions. The entire central seismic gap (CSG) can expect acceleration in excess of 100 cm/s 2 with NW portion in excess of 400 cm/s 2 and SE between 100 and 200 cm/s 2. The central portion can expect peak ground acceleration (PGA) between 200 and 400 cm/s 2. It has been observed from simulation of strong ground motion that sites located near the rupture initiation point can expect accelerations in excess of 1 g. In the present analysis, Bhatwari and Uttarkashi can expect ground accelerations in excess of 1 g. The estimates of the PGA are compared with earlier studies in the same region using different methodologies and it was found that the results are comparable. This has put constrains on the expected PGAs in this region. The obtained PGA values can be used in identifying the vulnerable areas in the central Himalaya, thereby facilitating the planning, design and construction of new structures and strengthening of the existing structures in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attenuation characteristics based on coda waves of two areas-Jamnagar and Junagarh of Saurashtra, Gujarat (India)-have been investigated in the present study. The frequency dependent relationships have been developed for both the areas using single back scattering model. The broadband waveforms of the vertical components of 33 earthquakes (Mw 1.5-3.5) recorded at six stations of the Jamnagar area, and broadband waveforms of 68 earthquakes (Mw 1.6-5) recorded at five stations of the Junagarh area have been used for the analysis. The estimated relations for the Junagarh area are: Q = (158 ± 5)f (lapse time : 20 s), Q = (170 ± 4.4)f (lapse time : 30 s) and Q = (229 ± 6.6)f (lapse time : 40 s) and for the Jamnagar area are: Q = (178 ± 3)f (lapse time : 20 s), Q = (224 ± 6)f (lapse time : 30 s) and Q = (282 ± 7)f (lapse time : 40 s). These are the first estimates for the areas under consideration. The Junagarh area appears to be more attenuative as compared to the Jamnagar area. The increase in Q values with lapse time found here for both the areas show the depth dependence of Q as longer lapse time windows will sample larger area. The rate of decay of attenuation ( Q) with frequency for the relations obtained here is found to be comparable with those of other regions of the world though the absolute values differ. A comparison of the coda-Q estimated for the Saurashtra region with those of the nearby Kachchh region shows that the Saurashtra region is less heterogeneous. The obtained relations are expected to be useful for the estimation of source parameters of the earthquakes in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat where no such relations were available earlier. These relations are also important for the simulation of earthquake strong ground motions in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The attenuation properties of the crust in the Chamoli region of Himalaya have been examined by estimating the frequency-dependent relationships of quality factors for P waves (Qα) and for S waves (Qβ) in the frequency range 1.5–24 Hz. The extended coda normalization method has been applied on the waveforms of 25 aftershocks of the 1999 Chamoli earthquake (M 6.4) recorded at five stations. The average value of Qα is found to be varied from 68 at 1.5 Hz to 588 at 24 Hz while it varies from 126 at 1.5 Hz to 868 at 24 Hz for Qβ. The estimated frequency-dependent relations for quality factors are Qα = (44 ± 1)f(0.82±.04) and Qβ = (87 ± 3)f(0.71±.03). The rate of increase of Q(f) for P and S waves in the Chamoli region is comparable with the other regions of the world. The ratio Qβ/Qα is greater than one in the region which along with the frequency dependence of quality factors indicates that scattering is an important factor contributing to the attenuation of body waves in the region. A comparison of attenuation relation for S wave estimated here (Qβ = 87f0.71) with that of coda waves (Qc = 30f1.21) obtained by M andal et al. (2001) for the same region shows that Qc > Qβ for higher frequencies (>8 Hz) in the region. This indicates a possible high frequency coda enrichment which suggests that the scattering attenuation significantly influences the attenuation of S waves at frequencies >8 Hz. This observation may be further investigated using multiple scattering models. The attenuation relations for quality factors obtained here may be used for the estimation of source parameters and near-source simulation of earthquake ground motion of the earthquakes, which in turn are required for the assessment of seismic hazard in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]