Seismicity and Attenuation Studies of Delhi and Adjoining Areas

Earthquake is considered as the most feared natural hazard in the present time. There is no scientific technique available to forecast the occurrence of an earthquake with a reasonable degree of accuracy with respect to time, space and magnitude. But the impact of earthquake hazard can be mitigated with proper town planning and design of dwellings. The seismicity and seismotectonics study is the first step in this direction. Delhi and its environ is also affected by earthquakes due to its own tectonic set up as well as that of Himalayan region. Himalayan thrust system emanating seismic hazard to Delhi region has been studied by several researchers. In this work, an attempt has been made to assess the seismicity, seismotectonics and seismic wave attenuation characteristics of Delhi and its environ, using seismic telemetry network data of this region. The results shall be useful in seismic hazard analysis of this region.