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Based on ethnographic research after the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan-controlled Azad Kashmir, this article uses 'disaster citizenship' as a conceptual lens focusing on how people renegotiated their relationships with the state in the context of political interventions for reconstruction. The promise of relief encouraged the poor to make new claims on the state as disaster victims and needy citizens deserving material assistance. Given the social and political inequalities and limited democratic rights in post-disaster Azad Kashmir, people pursued a politics of citizenship that resisted both notions of liberal rights and neoliberal politics of self-responsibility, seeking instead rightful material dependence on the state. This dependence was ambivalent and precarious as the poor were often deprived of the material rights they claimed. Therefore, disaster citizenship remained deeply entangled with social dependencies, and people had to resort to favors, bribes, and submissive patron-client relationships to access state resources and counter their political neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake that struck Pakistan-administered Kashmir an unprecedented number of development actors arrived in the region. Their impact influenced men's perceptions of change in the gendered division of labour, as they claimed this arrival had increased women's access to work in public spaces. Across urban and rural bazaars, a wide spectrum of male voices used this perceived increase to either try to further enhance women's access or to curtail it. The struggle for women's access to work in public spaces was visible in the stories these men told publicly. Although it pre-dated the earthquake, its aftermath made it more visible. Men's narratives around women's access to work post-earthquake also reflects a crisis of masculinity. The earthquake's aftermath gave an opportunity for some men to reinforce the region's classical patriarchy and others to challenge it; while doing so, men were also staking a claim at redefining what it meant to be a man. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reinforced concrete frame structures constitute a major portion of the building stock of Pakistan. In 2005, Kashmir earthquake exposed the current deficient local design and construction practices in Pakistan. It is hypothesized that inhomogeneity of concrete in general and faulty construction practices in Pakistan cause huge uncertainties in parameters affecting strength, serviceability and seismic assessment results for structures in this country. The aim of this study is to assess the vulnerability of existing reinforced concrete (RC) building stock of Pakistan with respect to a stochastic analysis of the parameters affecting the built infrastructure. For this purpose, typical building characteristics with uncertainties are identified. The probability density functions of material and geometric parameters are defined for these building characteristics. These functions are then used to account for the uncertainty in modelling of structural configurations. Structural response is evaluated through static pushover analysis and vulnerability curves for different structural configurations are derived using the framework developed for deficient RC buildings. The performance of buildings is evaluated in different seismic zones as classified in the new Building Code of Pakistan (BCP-SP 2007). Selected buildings performed satisfactorily in Zones 1, 2A and 2B. Buildings in Zones 3 and 4 are found to be more vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate a previously unrecorded rock avalanche deposit (Yadong rock avalanche) that resulted from a major mountain slope failure on the northwest slopes of Mt. Chomo Lhari in the Eastern Himalayas. We provide detailed mapping of the Yadong rock avalanche, and date the rock avalanche using 10 Be surface exposure dating. The 10 Be exposure ages of six samples suggest that the Yadong rock avalanche occurred between 14.2 ± 1.3–13.1 ± 1.3 ka during the Bølling-Allerød (BA) period. The climate was semi-arid during the BA period as it is today, which suggests that precipitation was unlikely the trigger for this rock avalanche. The relatively small paleo glaciers make glacial debuttressing trigger unlikely. Since the rock scar is situated above the lower permafrost limit, degradation of permafrost associated with deglaciation was also unlikely to be the trigger. Given the rock avalanche is located near the Yadong fault which is part of the active Yadong-Gulu rift, and the Yadong-Gulu rift has experienced great earthquakes on centennial to millennial timescales, we suggest that the most probable trigger for this rock avalanche was a seismic event associated with the Yadong fault. The result provides evidence for identifying a paleo seismic event occurred during 14.2 ± 1.3–13.1 ± 1.3 ka. These findings have important implications for understanding the mechanisms for driving rock avalanches and associated landscape evolution across the Himalayas, as well as for extending the limited scientifically documented records of major mass movements in the Eastern Himalayan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brick masonry is widely used for building construction throughout the world. However, unreinforced brick masonry buildings performed poorly in the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, in Pakistan, resulting in a decline in the use of brick masonry. In order to investigate and quantify the performance of brick masonry against the seismic forces by confining it through typical stiffer, line elements (column and beams), a full-scaled room model of an area 3048 × 3658 mm (10 × 12 ft) and height of 3353 mm (11 ft) was constructed using confined brick masonry. The model was tested under quasistatic loading system. Crack pattern was noted at the end of each loading cycle. The response of the model was interpreted through a hysteresis curve, which was then idealized by a bilinear curve. A comparison of the results has been made with four different studies done on the similar model made of unreinforced brick masonry before and after retrofitting and unreinforced concrete block masonry before and after retrofitting previously tested at the same testing facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan has undergone multiple geological and climate-related disasters in recent years. This includes the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and yearly countrywide flooding since 2010 till present. The recurrence of such disasters has led to the establishment of national and provincial disaster management institutions, which worked towards the formulation of national disaster management plan. As a result, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) was approved in 2012. This paper provides a review of Pakistan’s National Multi-Hazard Early Warning System Plan (NMH-EWS-P) that is part of the overall NDMP, approved prior to the introduction of the 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). The research identifies various aspects of the national plan, which require amendments in the light of the Sendai Framework. The implementation of the NMH-EWS-P is reviewed by the case study of the province of Punjab, where the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) is responsible for the implementation of the national plan at provincial level. With the analysis of Early Warning Systems against natural disasters, as implemented by the PDMA, the gaps and shortcomings of the prevailing practice are identified. Furthermore, this research also aims to propose practical solutions and recommendations for improvement, and better alignment of the prevailing Early Warning System with that of the Sendai Framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural hazards greatly impact human life and the development of infrastructure, especially in poorer countries. To tackle this issue and develop sufficient strategies with which to assess hazards under local governing conditions, open-source approaches have been pursued in many aid development and technical cooperation projects. In this study, the landslide susceptibility of the Mansehra and Torghar districts is assessed within the framework of the multiphase German-Pakistani technical cooperation project 'Georisk Assessment Northern Pakistan' (GANP), which was initiated after the devastating Kashmir Earthquake occurred on October 8, 2005. This landslide susceptibility assessment is strongly aligned with an open data approach that utilizes free, accessible data and data sources. The landslide inventory was collected using high-resolution imagery provided by Google Earth. The landslide-controlling parameters were derived from a series of open access data, including published data, free and accessible satellite imagery (e.g., Landsat), and digital elevation models. A mid-level complexity statistical approach was used to assess relative landslide susceptibility patterns on a regional scale. Stepwise data integration with subsequent evaluation was then applied. The evaluation of the model quality was performed using receiver operation characteristic curves. The established workflow, which also incorporated sensitivity studies and an uncertainty assessment, produces reliable landslide susceptibility patterns that can be used for regional spatial planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using different resolution data, a number of scientists have developed landslide inventories after Kashmir earthquake (7.6 Mw), which triggered thousands of landslides in Muzaffarabad and Balakot. However, the impact of image spatial resolution on landslide inventory is less explored. This study aims to evaluate the impact of image spatial resolution on landslide inventories. Five different resolution images including, Worldview-2, SPOT-5, Sentinel-2, ASTER and Landsat-8 were used to compute landslide inventory for the 2005 Kashmir earthquake affected area. Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier was used to classify the acquired images and derived landslide inventory. Number of landslides and covered area from different sensors were computed. Accuracy assessment of the developed inventories was performed for each of developed landslide inventory. The result shows that with increase in image spatial resolution the number and area of landslides increases. The recently lunched freely available data of Sentinel-2 with spatial resolution of 10 m is good source of dataset for regional based landslide inventory developing and landslide susceptibility mapping. The study shall assist the researchers to select an optimal remote sensing images for developing landslide inventory; and subsequent hazard assessment and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research paper entitled "Women Participation in Relief and Reconstruction after the Earthquake of 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan" the main focus would remain on the after effects of the 2005 earthquake in Balakot as the disasters have a considerable impact on women's lives all over the world. Generally they are considered most vulnerable and victim of the disaster. Conversely women played an active role in the reconstruction activities of the earthquake 2005 in Balakot. In the post disaster scenario many national and international organizational appeared to be a pull factor for women to participate in the reconstruction phase. The local women of Balakot were mobilized to participate in relief and reconstruction plans. This paper deliberates the case studies of women who actively participated in the reconstruction process, role in the welfare of the community. The women were evaluated as an agent of social change for being a part of field work of NGO's during and post disaster scenario. The Women reconstructed their social roles by providing moral and social therapy to families and hence communities. At the empirical level, the paper does not analyze women's roles during and post disaster phase, but consequences the transformation of gender roles. This study, based on theoretical and empirical knowledge obtained through secondary and primary data. The qualitative anthropological techniques were used to collect empirical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kashmir earthquake 2005 induced thousands of mass movements in the affected region of Pakistan. The Panjgran mass movement in the Neelum Valley area, close to the epicenter is one that obstructed the Neelum Valley communication system for many days even after the earthquake. SPOT-5 images and ground investigation were used to analyze the reactivated Panjgran mass movement characteristics. Mass movement travelled 650 m in the direction of north towards the Neelum river and caused severe damage to the Neelum road. Preliminary failure was initiated by the slumping in fractured sandstone of Miocene Murree Formation. While on the detachment zone, the rock fall mass separated from the bed rock, moved down hill and gathered at the bottom of the ridge. The total volume of Panjgran mass movement was estimated approximately 6.75 x106 m3.The study shows that mass movement is the caused by the pre-existing slump on over steepened slope weakened and undercut by the river and ground shaking due to2005 earthquake of Kashmir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earth's gravity changes are attributed to the redistribution of masses within and/or on the surface of the earth, which are due to the frictional sliding, tensile cracking and/or cataclastic flow of rocks along the faults and detectable by earthquake events. Inversely, the gravity changes are useful to describe the earthquake seismicity over the active orogenic belts. The time variable gravimetric data are hardly available to the public domain. However, Gravity Recovery and Climatic Experiment (GRACE) is the only satellite mission dedicated to model the variation of the gravity field and an available source to the science community. Here, we have tried to envisage gravity changes in terms of gravity anomaly (Δg), geoid ( N ) and the gravity gradients over the Indo-Pak plate with emphasis upon Kashmir earthquake of October 2005. For this purpose, we engaged the spherical harmonic coefficients of monthly gravity solutions from the GRACE satellite mission, which have good coverage over the entire globe with unprecedented accuracy. We have analysed numerically the solutions after removing the hydrological signals, during August to November 2005, in terms of corresponding monthly differentials of gravity anomaly, geoid and the gradients. The regional structures like Main Mantle Thrust (MMT), Main Karakoram Thrust (MKT), Herat and Chaman faults are in closed association with topography and with gravity parameters from the GRACE gravimetry and EGM2008 model. The monthly differentials of these quantities indicate the stress accumulation in the northeast direction in the study area. Our numerical results show that the horizontal gravity gradients seem to be in good agreement with tectonic boundaries and differentials of the gravitational elements are subtle to the redistribution of rock masses and topography caused by 2005 Kashmir earthquake. Moreover, the gradients are rather more helpful for extracting the coseismic gravity signatures caused by seismicity over the area. Higher positive values of gravity components having higher terrain elevations are more vulnerable to the seismicity and lower risk of diastrophism otherwise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 8th October 2005 Kashmir earthquake (7.6 Mw) triggered thousands of landslides in the Muzaffarabad and Balakot, Pakistan. This study aims to evaluate landslide induced vulnerability and risk to the buildings. Building footprint maps were developed from satellite image (SPOT-5) and required attributes such as construction material, roof material, building use, building height and household's data were collected from field visits. Quantitative method was used to assess the landslide induced vulnerability and risk in the area. The number of buildings located in high, moderate and low susceptibility zone were estimated by crossing the landslide susceptibility map and building footprint map. Landslide hazard probability was calculated as a result of combining landslide susceptibility map and landslide return period map. Spatial probability was determined by calculating cumulative landslide area in each susceptibility class. Absolute vulnerability of the buildings was multiplied with landslide spatial probability to derive the total loss for different return-period scenarios and shown in a risk curve. The study shall help the concern agencies to mitigate the devastating impacts of landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many investigations have been conducted to understand the spatial distribution of earthquake-triggered landslides. This paper presents the event-controlling attributes of landsliding in the 2005 Kashmir earthquake event using principal component analysis (PCA) and regression analysis. The earthquake with magnitude M 7.6 produced 2930 landslides, distributed in an area of about 3250 km, in the northern part of Pakistan and the Kashmir region. By utilizing SPOT imageries, reconnaissance field survey and geographic information system, the landslide distribution and density were statistically analysed. Controlling factors such as distance from the epicentre, distance from faults, slope steepness, slope aspect, elevation and lithology were considered for the PCA. In order to determine the relationship between different controlling factors, correlation and regression analyses were also taken account of. The results demonstrate that the major effective factors to control the landslide distribution are distance from the earthquake source followed by the slope steepness. Using PCA, distance from the epicentre and distance from the active Muzaffarabad Fault proved to be key influential factors. There is a significant negative correlation between landslide concentration and distance from the epicentre, Muzaffarabad Fault and Main Boundary Thrust. There is a significant strong positive correlation between landslide concentration and slope steepness. The lithology, however, has no significant relationship with landslide concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 8th October 2005 Kashmir earthquake, in northern Pakistan has triggered thousands of landslides, which was the second major factor in the destruction of the build-up environment, after earthquake-induced ground shaking. Subsequent to the earthquake, several researchers from home and abroad applied a variety of remote sensing techniques, supported with field observations, to develop inventories of the earthquake-triggered landslides, analyzed their spatial distribution and subsequently developed landslide-susceptibility maps. Earthquake causative fault rupture, geology, anthropogenic activities and remote sensing derived topographic attributes were observed to have major influence on the spatial distribution of landslides. These were subsequently used to develop a landslide susceptibility map, thereby demarcating the areas prone to landsliding. Temporal studies monitoring the earthquake-induced landslides shows that the earthquake-induced landslides are stabilized, contrary to earlier belief, directly after the earthquake. The biggest landslide induced dam, as a result of the massive Hattian Bala landslide, is still posing a threat to the surrounding communities. It is observed that remote sensing data is effectively and efficiently used to assess the landslides triggered by the Kashmir earthquake, however, there is still a need of more research to understand the mechanism of intensity and distribution of landslides; and their continuous monitoring using remote sensing data at a regional scale. This paper, provides an overview of remote sensing and GIS applications, for the Kashmir-earthquake triggered landslides, derived outputs and discusses the lessons learnt, advantages, limitations and recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few empirical seismic vulnerability curves exist for non-engineered reinforced concrete buildings in developing countries, and this is particularly true for the South Asian countries. This category of buildings is widespread and is highly vulnerable, since the buildings suffer from serious problems due to poor design and construction and are prone to collapse in moderate earthquakes. In this paper, building damage data from the Kashmir earthquake (2005), Pakistan are utilized to develop empirical vulnerability curves for the non-engineered reinforced concrete structures in the region. In order to develop empirical vulnerability curves, a damage probability matrix was defined and its elements corresponding to damage ratio of different damage states are used to evaluate the mean damage ratio. The developed curve show abrupt damage accumulation at relatively small values of peak ground acceleration. The findings of mean damage ratio as a function of peak ground acceleration are compared with the most relevant existing empirical and judgmental vulnerability curves to show the severity of damage in non-engineered reinforced concrete structures of that region and to validate for use in risk assessment studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many of the recent earthquake events, the collapse of low engineered or deficient reinforced concrete buildings is the major cause of wide spread disaster. After Kashmir earthquake (2005), the pre-earthquake construction and owner built construction is thought to be under immense risk. Thus, the vulnerability assessment of existing reinforced concrete buildings is strongly recommended to mitigate the associated seismic damage. Aim of this study is to develop vulnerability curves for low engineered structures typical to Pakistan. Two typical gravity load reinforced concrete frames with insufficient detailing are considered, and capacity-related (geometric and material) uncertainties are incorporated to account for the probabilistic nature of vulnerability. Framework developed by earlier studies is used for assessment which shows the buildings fail in a brittle manner due to brittle failure modes and underestimation of damage by GESI reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychotic symptoms are more common in general population than validated diagnosis of psychosis. There is evidence to suggest that these symptoms, hallucinations, paranoia, elated mood, thought insertion, are part of a spectrum of psychosis and may have association with the same risk factors that determine development of psychosis. These symptoms have an association with exposure to psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in the population affected by a natural disaster, earthquake in this case and possible correlates of these symptoms. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of a population sample affected by the disaster, comprising of 1,291 individuals, 18 months after 2005 earthquake in Northern Pakistan and Kashmir to look at the prevalence of these symptoms and their correlates. Screening Instrument for Traumatic Stress in Earthquake Survivors and Self-Reporting Questionnaire and Psychosis Screening Questionnaire were used as tools. We examined association between the symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD and psychotic symptoms. We performed logistic regression analysis where hallucinations and delusions were dependent variables and demographic and trauma exposure variables were independent variables. The prevalence of psychotic symptoms ranged between 16.8 and 30.4 %. They were directly correlated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as well as concurrent symptoms of anxiety and depression. Lower level of education had a strong association in all the regression models. For hallucinations, living in a joint family had a negative association and participation in rescue, history of exposure to previous trauma and past psychiatric history had positive association. Paranoia was associated with female gender. Any psychiatric symptom was associated death of a family member, history of past psychiatric illness and living in a tent at the time of interview. Pattern of association of psychotic symptoms is consistent with prior literature and can be understood in the light of stress vulnerability model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With reference to anthropological approaches to state borders as processes, this paper examines ‘the border’ between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir through the window of reconstruction politics after the 2005 earthquake in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, I analyse how ‘the border’ became inscribed into politics and power relations in Muzaffarabad through a locally contested ‘reconstruction bureaucracy’ which provided Pakistan with the means to dominate reconstruction in Azad Kashmir. Activists from Muzaffarabad politicised the delay of reconstruction by addressing Pakistan's interference in Azad Kashmir's affairs. Local politicisation of reconstruction, however, revealed contradictory effects of ‘the border’ on power relations in Muzaffarabad. From the activists’ perspectives, political boundaries between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were characterised by domination as well as cooperation that undermined local concerns such as the reconstruction of Muzaffarabad. Thus, local activists also opposed ‘their’ government and transgressed ‘the border’ into Pakistan through the creation of alliances with national actors in order to put pressure on the government of Azad Kashmir. In taking advantage of power disparities between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, these alliances, however, not only reproduced but also undermined the nation state's domination over the region by manipulating and circumventing the ‘reconstruction bureaucracy’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The 2005 Kashmir earthquake of magnitude Mw 7.6 produced 75 km surface rupture showing 3-7 m vertical offset. The surface rupture nearly coinciding with the bedrock geology-defined Balakot-Bagh Fault (BBF) indicates reactivation of the fault. The BBF extends SE with right-step to the Reasi Thrust in Jammu region. Further SE extension of the Reasi Thrust has been mapped with different nomenclature to the 1905 Kangra earthquake meizoseismal region, suggesting linkage between the earthquake and the active fault. There is no historical record of a large magnitude Mw > 7 event for the last ~1000 years in the eastern segment of the Kashmir seismic gap, may imply ~12 m slip deficit in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal anomalies based on satellite and surface meteorological data in the epicentral region prior to a few earthquakes in India and elsewhere have raised a question whether such inferences can be relied upon keeping in view larger meteorological variability associated with synoptic weather changes. This article examines outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data by INSAT over Sikkim region to find whether any anomaly developed prior to the earthquake of September 2011 (Mw 6.9). Similar study was made using surface meteorological data (weather observatories or NCAR grid point values) in the meizoseismal areas of Bhadrachalam (1969, ms 5.7), Kinnaur (1975, ms 6.9) Bihar-Nepal (1988, ms 6.9), Uttarkashi (1991, ms 6.8) Latur (1993, ms 6.1), Jabalpur (1997, ms 5.6), Chamoli (1999, mb 6.5), Bhuj (2001, Mw 7.6) and Muzaffarabad (2005, Mw 7.6) earthquakes. The OLR data from INSAT were also examined during heat-wave conditions prevailing over northern India in summer during non-seismic conditions. It was found that there was no significant thermal anomaly prior to any earthquake in the Indian region. It has been shown that the precursory thermal anomaly reported in earlier studies for Bhuj (2001), Muzaffarabad (2005), Jabalpur (1997) and Latur (1993) earthquakes was misinterpreted since the rise in surface temperature (if any) was found to be well within the meteorological variability caused by synoptic weather conditions. Persistent heat-wave conditions causing very large thermal anomaly for several days in northern India raise false alarms. The synthesis of the results presented in this study should desist geoscientists from considering thermal anomalies as earthquake precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2005 Kashmir earthquake (M 7.6) generated widespread mass movements in the Northeast Himalayas of Pakistan. The mass movements were mainly catastrophic rock avalanches, rockslides, rockfalls and debris falls, ranging in volume from a few hundred cubic meters to hundreds of million cubic meters. Data of 103 mass movement events were collected during field surveys to characterize each event. The mass movements and their travel distances were analyzed, using empirical models, widely adopted in the literature. The empirical approaches were used to analyze the relationships between geometrical parameters like volume, Fahrböschung angle, fall height, surface area, travel path and travel distance. The mobility of mass movements was expressed as the ratio between the height of fall and travel distance as function of volume. The volume was estimated by multiplying the deposit area by average thickness. The Fahrböschung angle showed a decreasing tendency with increasing mass movement volume. In addition, the Fahrböschung angle of mass movements with small volumes was more variable. A strongly correlated linear trend exists between the height of fall and travel distance for all types of the mass movement. Moreover, a weak correlation was found between unconfined and partly confined travel path. The empirical results of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake data are consistent with the previously published data from other parts of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of an experimental study on the performance of a full-scale unreinforced concrete block masonry (URCBM) building system tested under quasi-static loading. The configuration and materials used for the single-story URCBM building are typical of those found in the northern areas of Pakistan affected by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. The retrofitting of the building was done using ferro-cement overlay and cement based grout injection. Combined shear and flexure failure was observed during the test before retrofitting. The lateral load capacity of the retrofitted building was significantly improved (more than 200% of the original strength) and the damage mechanism was transformed from mixed compression-flexure-shear to a more stable flexural rocking mode. Damage patterns and force-deformation behavior of the retrofitted structure are compared with those of the intact structure to quantify the beneficial effects of retrofitting scheme, which is proposed as an efficient approach for the rehabilitation of the existing buildings. Experimental data were analyzed and presented in the form of force-deformation hysteresis loops and envelope curves. Based on the measured data, different performance levels before and after retrofitting of the structure have been established. Response modification (R), displacement ductility (μD), and displacement amplification (Cd) factors were also derived. The results from this study are expected to guide future efforts on development of design recommendations and vulnerability assessment of buildings in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case studies of natural disasters. It mentions typhoon Haiti at the Filipino island of Cebu, Philippines in November 2013 that destroyed homes in the region along with the infrastructure and adds that Shigeru Ban from Voluntary Architects' Network (VAN) helped in organising temporary housing. It also discusses the earthquake in Pakistan in 2005 that destroyed homes and also adds that Maggie Stephenson of organization UN-Habitat stayed there to help in reconstruction.

Pakistan is an underdeveloped country, still striving for improvement in construction practices. Most of the private construction is carried out as nonengineered which caused loss of approximately 85,000 lives in Kashmir (2005) earthquake. However, after the Kashmir (2005) earthquake, the government and engineering community emphasized on implementation of seismic codes. Although the current construction practices are considered as better than previous construction work the vulnerability of these structures is yet to be determined. It aims at the vulnerability assessment of recent RC construction in Pakistan that still needs to be assessed. Research work starts with calibration of panel zone element (PERFORM 3D) depicting joint shear degradation, while comparing the analytical results with experimental work, found in the literature. The frame work is then used for vulnerability assessment of RC structures typical of current construction practices in Pakistan while using advanced capacity spectrum method, developed by Kyriakides for which three cases have been considered, being constructed more frequently by public sector, in different seismic zones, based on design usually followed by builders in the region. Finally, the conclusion is drawn with suggestion of further improvement of seismic behavior of the structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on impact of assessment of watershed management' post-2005 earthquake rehabilitation programme of the United Nations Food and Agriculture in Pakistan for disaster resilience. Topics discussed include landscape planning and adaptive management to reduce environmental degradation and to enhance the resilience, use of community-based approach for technical assistance from government line agencies and implementation of the management plans for forestry and soil conservation.

The vulnerability of Pakistan to a multiplicity of disasters like natural, hydrometerlogical, man-made, etc. is well known. The need for an over-reaching and effective Disaster Management strategy is seriously felt by all Pakistanis particularly after the 2005 earthquake, 2010 floods and the civil-war like situation in the aftermath of 9/11. Unfortunately, there seems to be neither the will nor the initiative on the part of the government to address the situation. The Government's performance in disaster situations and its ability to organize and provide response to disasters, including distribution of relief and undertaking post-disaster development is a far dream to come true. The main problem is the lack of effective governance and the culture of corruption generated and patronized by those who are responsible for its nipping. This paper explores how disasters offer socio-economic, politico-cultural, and environmental development opportunities which can be exploited in the post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction period. The same can also be exploited to enhance the socio-economic and physical conditions of the impacted communities in the long run. However, time factor is important but limited up to two years approximately to complete development and achieve public satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is based on a field study carried out in Indian-administered Kashmir after the 2005 earthquake. In this analysis of how non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs) engage and coordinate with one another and with other disaster response agencies during post-disaster relief and rehabilitation operations, it can be concluded that NGDO coordination was ineffective. The research points out that, even though there is coordination among the international and national NGDOs, local NGDOs are seldom engaged in the overall coordination processes. The paper advocates developing coordination among the humanitarian agencies as a pre-disaster initiative for a more effective collaborative humanitarian disaster response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, the great many injured with multiple fractures and open wounds provided a unique opportunity to practice damage-control orthopaedics. External fixators remain a time-tested tools for operating surgeons on such occasions. The locally manufactured, readily available Naseer-Awais (NA) external fixator filled such needs of this disaster with good outcome. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of 19,700 patients that presented over seven months to the two centres established by the lead author (SMA) in Muzaffarabad and Mansehra just one night after the 2005 earthquake. A series of local and foreign orthopaedic surgeon teams operated in succession. The computerised patient data collection of 1,145 operations was retrospectively analysed. Results: Of the 19,700 patients presenting to the SMA centres, 50 % had limb injuries. Total fracture fixations were 1,145, of which 295 were external fixations: 185 were applied on the lower limb and 90 on upper limb, the majority were applied on tibia. Conclusion: External fixators are valuable damage-control tools in natural disasters and warfare injuries. The locally manufactured NA external fixator served the needs of the many limb injuries during the 2005 Pakistan earthquake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the source mechanism and depth of the recent moderate earth-quake, which occurred on 1 May 2013 in the Kashmir seismic gap. The epicenter of the earthquake lies southeast of the Kashmir valley and close to the meisoseismal zone of the 1555 Kashmir earthquake (magnitude ~7.6). This event provides an excellent op-portunity in which to study the seismotectonics of the Kashmir Himalaya using global digital seismic data. We modeled the source parameters of the earthquake by least-squares fitting of the teleseismic P- and waveform data. The minimum-misfit sol-ution reveals that the earthquake occurred on an oblique thrust fault with strike, dip, and rake of 346°, 26°, and 121°, respectively, and originated at a depth of 16 ± 3 km. The strike of the fault plane matches that of the mapped Himalayan thrust faults in the re-gion, and its depth puts it within the Himalayan wedge, close to the basal decollement (main Himalayan thrust [MHT]). However, the dip of the causal fault plane is larger than the inferred dip of the MHT and therefore requires the earthquake to have occurred on a ramp or a splay thrust. The most likely candidate is the main boundary thrust the down-dip end of which matches with the geometry of the fault plane and coincides with the observed hypocentral distribution of small-to-moderate earthquakes in the region. We synthesize our findings with geodetic measurements from the Kashmir Himalaya to show that the hypocentral zone of this event marks a region of strain accumulation be-neath the Kashmir seismic gap. This region could possibly be the point of initiation of a future great earthquake. We conclude by highlighting the outstanding questions in assessing seismic hazards in this region and designing a broadband seismologieal field experiment that is currently being undertaken to address these important issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The October 8, 2005, Kashmir earthquake ( M 7.6) affected the rough mountainous regions of India and Pakistan with poor accessibility, and thus, no proper comprehensive ground survey was possible. However, due to the ability of remote sensing technology to acquire spectral measurements of damaged areas at various spatial and temporal scales, extraction of damaged areas can be carried out quickly and with great reliability. The fuzzy-based classifiers [Possibilistic c-Means (PCM), noise cluster (NC), and NC with entropy (NCE)] were applied to identify 2005 Kashmir earthquake, induced landslides, as well as built-up damage (BD) areas, as soft computing approaches using supervised classification. Results indicate that for the identification of landslides and BD areas, NCE classifier generated the best outputs, while for the identification of built-up undamaged areas, NC classifier generated the best output. Further, it was found that the proposed Class Based Sensor Independent (CBSI) technique can improve spectral information of specific class for better identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A devastating earthquake occurred in Kashmir, Pakistan on October 8, 2005. This earthquake resulted from reactivation of a known active fault later defined as the Balakot–Bagh fault, which caused widespread slope failure throughout its stretch, particularly around Muzaffarabad, the provincial capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. This slope failure resulted in a huge amount of debris material which flows in deeply incised creeks during monsoon and hits the inhabitants along the valley in Muzaffarabad. Two GPS measurements are carried out along with channel morphometric parameters and observed changes to investigate the effect of debris flows along these creeks during monsoon. Other than the physical measurements, actual debris flow is simulated using the Depth Average Material Point Method (DAMPM) after carrying out parametric study and calibrating the model for subject topographical and geological settings. The generalized effect of different input parameters of the model on debris flow runout features is studied and discussed in detail. After ensuring validation of the numerical tool, the contribution of a single closed-type check dam to decrease runout intensity to its downstream reach is also investigated for different locations to obtain optimized selection. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The heavy life and property loss caused by the 2005 Kashmir earthquake can be attributed to the absence of nation-wide policies and guidelines for disaster relief management (DRM) along with low capacities in DRM. The current research presents a disaster relief management plan (DRMP) for an industrial unit. It is prepared in the light of employee survey which was conducted by means of a semi-structured interview, comprising of closed-ended and open-ended questions. The objective was to establish guidelines and layout procedures, so that the activities are carried out in appropriate and organised manner, propagating the coordination among the departments, individuals and other agencies. The research is an effort towards planning for DRM for an industrial unit which may be extended to all organisations and institutions in Pakistan. For ensuring activities in right direction during emergency, a multi-agency framework is established for a systematic, coordinated and effective response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SPOT image analysis in Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir, northwest Himalayas, Pakistan reveals that the Kashmir earthquake 2005 triggered a number of coseismic mass movements along the hanging wall block of the Muzaffarabad Fault. The Neelidandi and Langarpura rock falls have been identified as two major reactivated mass movements with an estimated volume of 3.1 × 10 m and 5.76 × 10 m, respectively. The Neelidandi and Langarpura mass movements were initiated during earthquake in the direction of northwest-southeast extension and northeast-southwest directed thrusting, respectively. The Neelidandi rock fall occurred in sheared cherty dolomites and limestones of the Cambrian Muzaffarabad Formation, whereas the Langarpura rock fall occurred in alternating clays, shales, claystones, siltstones and sandstones of the Miocene Murree Formation. These rock units along the fault are highly fractured and jointed. The geotechnical maps and geological longitudinal profiles show the relationship between the geometrical characteristics and mechanism of these mass movements. Their characteristics were analyzed according to the role of topographic, seismic, geological and tectonic factors. The steep topography, sheared rocks, lithology, coseismic uplift and strong ground shaking of the hanging wall block along Muzaffarabad Fault facilitated the gravity collapse of these mass movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of October 8, 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the emergency response to Allai and its surrounding areas was severely affected due to the hazard caused by the Sohbat Charra slide zone. This study focuses on the stability of slopes at Sohbat Charra slide zone at Allai District Battagram. Soil and rock samples were collected and tested in the laboratory. The input parameters needed for the analysis mainly included the shear strength parameters that is, cohesion, angle of internal friction and unit weight of the formation materials, these values were obtained from tests conducted in laboratory. Software Slope/W part of Geo-Studio, 2007 and standard charts were used for the slope stability analysis. On the basis of soil properties and slope stability analysis of the site, suitable measures are suggested for stabilizing the Sohbat Charra slide zone. It is hoped that such measures will help mitigate future problems caused by earthquakes in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strong earthquake with magnitude Mw7.6 shook the Kashmir (Himalayan region) on 8 October 2005, causing wide spread destruction and casualties. The earthquake destroyed approximately 400,000 houses and over 86,000 people lost their lives. The difficult mountainous terrain, with poor accessibility, of the earthquake affected region covering parts of Pakistan and India has become a natural hindrance for any comprehensive ground survey. In such a situation, remotely sensed imagery data from satellites have become an important tool to assess damage due to natural disasters. This work is an attempt to document and identify built-up damage (BD) areas by spectral indices using temporal (pre- and post-earthquake) multispectral images from IRS P6 LISS-IV data. Five spectral indices have been used to identify BD areas damage using supervised Noise Cluster (NC) classifier. The result indicates that Class Based Sensor Independent (CBSI) based Transformed Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (TNDVI) temporal indices data generate better output for BD areas and simple ratio (SR) provide the best results for identifying built-up undamaged (BUD) areas with less entropy as well as membership range. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The 8 October 2005 Kashmir earthquake triggered thousands of landslides at different scales through the Hazara–Kashmir region of northern Pakistan. A landslide inventory was prepared within a few months after the earthquake, which included detailed photographs and studies of landslides at 164 locations. Photographs were retaken in 2006 at all the 2005 locations and at selected 68 landslide locations in 2007. In 2010, 123 of the 2005 landslide locations in the inventory were reexamined and photographed again. Existing literature predicted that extensive landsliding, particularly under wet conditions, was likely to occur in the region in the years immediately following the earthquake. Surprisingly, the repeat studies revealed that the total landslide area increased only slightly over the five-year period of study, even given a particularly heavy monsoon rainfall season in 2006, with 46% of the locations showing little or no increase and 10% showing a noticeable increase in landsliding; in 44% of the locations vegetation growth was significant or complete within the exposed landslide slip area. Many of the new or reactivated failures occurred along roads and rivers, particularly along steeper slopes. We conclude that the landscape returned to equilibrium within only a few years after the earthquake. Nevertheless, a potential for future slope instability and landsliding in the region still exists. Hence continuation of landslide monitoring and risk assessment is still important for hazard mitigation in this region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: On 8 October 2005 a massive earthquake hit the northern mountainous areas of Pakistan and Kashmir causing 73,338 deaths and leaving over 125,000 severely injured. In a region which was less prepared for such an enormous disaster, mobilising rescue, relief and rehabilitation posed great challenges. The first author (SMA) established two level 1 orthopaedic trauma and rehabilitation units in each of two severely hit major cities through private philanthropy. According to the severity of injuries, the patients were triaged and treated. The aim of this study is to improve the future strategies in similar scenarios. Methods: This is a retrospective review of medical records of patients suffering from musculoskeletal injuries in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake who were managed in these centres in the order of triage priority. The patients were received, categorised, worked up and provided definitive surgical procedures. All patients were provided assistance for the fitting of a prosthesis and rehabilitation. Results: Of 128,304 (total of injured patients), 19,700 were managed in two centres established by SMA during the first months after the earthquake. Of these, 112 patients underwent amputations of upper and lower limbs. Conclusions: In a massive calamity over a wide geographical area away from big university hospitals, such as the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, the level 1 operating theatre facilities must be established within the area to meet the immediate needs of the patients nearest to their homes and families, and run forever so that patients can have excellent follow-up and can use the same facilities regularly. In the aftermath of this earthquake the need to practise triage in the first 72 hours was thoroughly realised and effectively practised in our centres [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coseismic surface displacement field and slip distribution at depth due to the Kashmir earthquake (Mw = 7.6, 2005) have been analysed by different authors using subpixel correlation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and optical images, teleseismic analysis, GPS measurements, as well as in situ field measurements. In this paper, first, we use 23 sets of measurement from subpixel correlation of SAR images and differential interferometry to retrieve the 3-D coseismic surface displacement field. The obtained horizontal and vertical components along the fault trace are then compared, respectively, to equivalent measurements obtained from subpixel correlation of two optical ASTER images and in situ field measurements. Second, the coseismic fault geometry parameters and slip distribution at depth are estimated. In addition to the one segment slip model as reported in previous work, a two segments slip model that better fits the surface fault break is proposed. The improvement of the two segments slip model in interpreting the measured displacement field is highlighted through comparison of residuals of both slip models. Taking advantage of differential interferometry measurements that provide precise and continuous information in the far field of the fault, firstly, a wedge thrust according to Bendick et al. to the Northwest of the main rupture built on our two segments model is tested. According to the obtained results, the residual of the two segments main rupture plus wedge thrust model is slightly smaller than the residual of the two segments model to the Northwest of the Balakot–Bagh fault. Secondly, we test the sensitivity of our slip model to the presence of slip along a décollement as evidenced by Jouanne et al. through post-seismic analysis. The results indicate that the estimations of the coseismic displacement field and slip distribution in this paper are not significantly biased by such post-seismic displacement and that most coseismic displacement is located on a ∼40° NE-dipping fault, as previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For nuclear explosion seismic monitoring, major aftershock sequences can be a significant problem because each event must be analyzed. Fortunately, the high degree of waveform similarity expected within aftershock sequences offers a way to more quickly and robustly process these events than is possible using traditional methods (e.g., short-term average/long-term average detection). We explore how waveform correlation can be incorporated into an automated event detection system to improve both the timeliness and the quality of the resultant bulletin. With our Waveform Correlation Detector we processed three aftershock sequences: the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. Our system compared incoming waveform data to a library of known master events and identified incoming waveform data that correlated well with a master event as a repeating event. We break down our results to show how many master events found matches, the distribution in family size, and the effect of distance and fault characteristics on the results. Between 24% and 92% of the events in each sequence were recognized as similar events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an earlier study (Van Lieshout and Stein in Math Gesoci 44(3):309-326, ) we postulated the existence of two major earthquakes in the 2005 Kashmir disaster instead of a single one, based upon the pattern of aftershocks. In this study, we explore this hypothesis further by fitting several spatial point pattern models. In particular, we discuss the Hawkes and the trigger process models for earthquake aftershock sequences following the Kashmir catastrophe in 2005. The minimum contrast method is used for estimation of the parameters. The study shows that the trigger model fits better than the Hawkes model. The most likely number of main shocks is rounded to 2 generating the almost 200 aftershocks, whereas the Hawkes model would estimate a parent process of approximately 18 parents with on average about 10 descendants. We conclude that the spatial pattern of aftershocks can best be understood as a mixture of two bivariate normal distributions centered around two major shocks and estimate the parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large damage caused by October 08, 2005 Kashmir earthquake in Pakistan has raised several questions on the current design techniques and construction practices in the country. Realizing the enormity of the situation, the Government of Pakistan selected a committee of technical experts to provide guidance for the revision of the country's Building Code. Pakistan has now been classified into various seismic zones according to Building Code of Pakistan (BCP-07). BCP-07 now encompasses seismic provisions. Seismic Provisions used in BCP-07 are extracted from Uniform Building Code (UBC-97). Each building code has formulated design spectrum, like, Euro code (EC- 08), International Building Code (IBC-03) and UBC-97. Since, BCP-07 follows UBC-97 design response spectrum (DRS), it is questinable that whether the UBC-97 DRS considers the zone characteristics of Pakistan. Response spectra are very useful tools and the DRS depends upon many factors including the magnitude of the earthquake, the fault mechanism and the distance of the site from the fault, the geology of the travel path of seismic waves and the local soil conditions at the site. Therefore, for the DRS seismicity of the area need to be considered. With the limited available data it is realized here that the design, based on UBC-97 DRS with site specific seismic coefficient, is safe. However, with the scaled up records according to the PGA maps of BCP-07, UBC-97 DRS is less conservative for rocky soil (high seismic risk zone 4). Considering stiff soil strata (Soil type D Zone 2A), peaks for UBC-97 and proposed spectra almost coincide with each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the first of two companion articles that evaluate the seismic hazard in northwestern Pakistan. The area, located at the western edge of the Himalayas, has numerous active faults including the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) and Main Mantle Thrust (MMT). This article describes the methodology used to perform regional deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard analyses. Here, seismic sources were defined from 32 identified faults while prior studies have been based on diffuse seismicity and areal source zones. Fault parameters were selected using available data and empirical correlations for faults elsewhere. Recurrence relations were constructed for all discrete faults based on both historical and instrumented seismicity in addition to geologic evidence. Due to lack of region specific attenuation relationships, four plate boundary attenuation relations from the Next Generation Attenuation of Ground Motions Project [Abrahamson et al., 2008] were employed to predict ground motions. Predicted ground motion parameters are compared to measurements from the recent 2005 Kashmir earthquake. In the companion article, the methodology developed and evaluated here is used to conduct deterministic and probabilistic seismic hazard analyses for the entire study region. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study documents the long-term gendered impact of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake on women and men who were rendered paraplegic as a result of spinal cord injuries sustained during the disaster. Coping mechanisms are also mapped. The findings show that three years after the disaster, paraplegic women are socially, emotionally, and financially isolated. The small stipend they receive is a significant source of income, but it has also led to marital distrust, violence, and abuse. In contrast, men receive full social and emotional support. Their key concern is that the government is not providing them with opportunities to be economically productive. Contemporary discourse and post-disaster policies, while acknowledging the importance of incorporating a gender perspective in the immediate post-disaster period, have failed to acknowledge and address the longer-term gendered impact of disasters, in terms of the different types of impact and strategies adopted by women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In continuation to our earlier studies concerning generation of the baseline indoor radon data, an indoor radon measurement survey was carried out in the districts Bagh and Kahuta, state of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In this context, 150 houses were selected in the aforesaid districts and CN-85-based box-type radon detectors installed in bedroom and living room of each house. The detectors were exposed to indoor radon for 3 months. After etching CN-85 detectors in 6 M NaOH at 70°C for 3 h, the observed track densities were related to the indoor radon concentration using calibration factor of 0.0092 tracks cm−2·h−1 per Bq·m−3. The measured indoor radon concentration ranged from 56 to 124 Bq·m−3 and 61 to 106 Bq·m−3 in the studied areas of districts Bagh and Kahuta, respectively. The mean annual effective dose ranged from 1.42 ± 0.15 to 3.12 ± 0.10 mSv·y−1 with an average of 2.16 ± 0.13 mSv·y−1 in the district Bagh and 1.54 ± 0.14 to 2.68 ± 0.12 mSv·y−1 with an average of 2.17 ± 0.13 mSv·y−1 in the district Kahuta. These values are within the safe limits recommended by the World Heath Organization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An emerging way to reduce the geodetic parameter uncertainty is to combine the large numbers of data provided by satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. However, the measurements by radar imagery are subject to both random and systematic uncertainties. Thus, mathematical theories that are adequate for each type of uncertainty representation and handling have to be selected. Probability theory is known as the adequate theory for uncertainties corresponding to random variables, but questionable for systematic uncertainties, arising from information incompleteness. Fuzzy theory, being a generalization of interval mathematics, is more adapted to such uncertainty. Moreover, it provides a bridge with probability theory by its ability to represent a family of probability distributions. Therefore, we consider here the conventional probability and the fuzzy approaches for handling the random and systematic uncertainties of displacement measurements derived from differential SAR interferometry (D-InSAR) and SAR amplitude image correlation. The applications are performed on the measurement of the displacement field due to the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. The fuzzy approach, being free from distribution and independence hypotheses, gives the most pessimistic uncertainty assessment, while the conventional probability approach gives the most optimistic uncertainty assessment. As confirmed by the Monte Carlo simulation applied to an earth deformation model, the actual uncertainty should be situated between the fuzzy and conventional uncertainties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kashmir earthquake 2005 (magnitude M 7.6) triggered thousands of mass movements in northern Pakistan. These mass movements were mainly rock falls, debris falls, rockslides and rock avalanches. The mass movements vary in size from a few hundred cubic meters up to about 100 million cubic meters estimated for the Hattian Bala rock avalanche, the biggest one associated with this earthquake. This mass movement, which moved in southeastern direction, created two natural dams on the valley bottom and blocked the water ways of the Karli and Tung tributaries of the Jhelum River. Topographic, lithologic and structural information were used to investigate the Hattian Bala rock avalanche. Geotechnical and structural maps were prepared to understand relationship between geology and structure of Hattian Bala rock avalanche. The geometry and failure mode of this rock avalanche are controlled by southeast plunging synclinal structures, lithology, a bedding parallel slip surface and a pre-existing old rockslide. The structural map shows that the mass movement failure was due to Danna and Dandbeh synclinal structures plunging southeast on the hanging wall block of the reactivated Muzaffarabad fault. The slip surface of the mass movement followed the bedding planes along mudstone, claystone and sandstone surfaces. The mass movement perfectly followed the pre-existing synclinal morphology of the Danna and Dandbeh synclines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 8th October 2005 Kashmir Earthquake of magnitude 7.6 triggered a huge landslide 3.5 km upstream of Hattian Bala town in the state of Azad Jammu Kashmir of Pakistan. The debris mass blocked two tributaries of the Karli branch of the Jhelum River and was breached on 9th February 2010. This debris dam provided us with a rare opportunity to keep careful and continuous eyes on its post-earthquake behavior especially as it was a serious threat to people living along the lower reaches of both the Karli and Jhelum Rivers. This paper describes post-formation behaviors of the debris mass, breaching-inflicted changes of not only the debris mass but also both upstream and downstream reaches based upon laser-scanned images of landforms and Differential Global Positioning System survey results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kashmir earthquake of 2005 triggered numerous landslides in inaccessible areas of the western Himalayas, which could be mapped using satellite remote sensing. The largest recorded seismicity-induced landslide dammed a river, which resulted in the formation of a stream in the toe region and created two reservoirs that pose an enormous threat in the event of a landslide dam breach. Using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data sets corresponding to the pre- and post-earthquake period and derived digital elevation models, landslide-induced lakes were monitored. The aerial extent, depth profile and volume of both the reservoirs were determined. This study has demonstrated the utility of ASTER data in providing valuable information that is critical for hazard mitigation in case of a landslide dam breach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

On 8 October 2005, a devastating earthquake struck northern Pakistan and several parts of Pakistani- and Indian-controlled Kashmir. The severely hit areas lie in close proximity to the most tectonically active region of the western Himalayas. The earthquake destroyed close to 400 000 houses and over 75 000 people lost their lives. The intensity of the earthquake was such that it triggered widespread landslides, which caused considerable destruction of the area's forests, and blocked the mountain roads and rivers. Satellite imagery-based analysis can be effectively used to provide critical geologic information for determining the causes of earthquakes, mapping of faults and lineaments, as well as for hazards and damage assessment mapping. In this study, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery acquired on 27 October 2005 was analysed to assess earthquake-induced land cover changes in severely hit areas. Image analysis techniques including intensity hue and saturation (IHS), principal component analysis (PCA), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis Technique (ISODATA) were applied on VNIR-SWIR bands of ASTER for the purpose of identification and mapping of landslides triggered by the earthquake in areas of northern Pakistan and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. The techniques proved effective in identifying freshly exposed surfaces on mountain slopes, landslide scars and debris deposits. Accurate identification and mapping of landslides and slope failures can play an important role in post-earthquake damage assessment and hazards mapping in earthquake-prone mountainous areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Regolith thickness is known as a major factor in influencing the intensity of earthquake induced ground shaking and consequently building damages. It is, however, often simplified or ignored due to its variable and complex nature. To evaluate the role of regolith thickness on earthquake induced building damage, a remote sensing based methodology is developed to model the spatial variation of regolith thickness, based on DEM derived topographic attributes and geology. Regolith thickness samples were evenly collected in geological formations at representative sites of topographic attributes. Topographic attributes (elevation, slope, TWI, distance from stream) computed from the ASTER derived DEM and a geology map were used to explore their role in spatial variation of regolith thickness. Stepwise regression was used to model the spatial variation of regolith thickness in erosional landscape of the study area. Topographic attributes and geology, explain 60% of regolith thickness variation in the study area. To test, if the modeled regolith can be used for prediction of seismic induced building damages, it is compared with the 2005 Kashmir earthquake induced building damages derived from high resolution remote sensing images and field data. The comparison shows that the structural damages increase with increasing regolith thickness. The predicted regolith thickness can be used for demarcating site prone to amplified seismic response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]