Estimation of seismic hazard in Odisha by remote sensing and GIS techniques

This paper determines the risk of earthquake hazard due to amplification of seismic waves in coastal Odisha. Seismic hazards has been estimated by analysis of geomorphological features and thickness of unconsolidated soil cover. Areas with quaternary to recent deposits have great potential to amplify intensity of seismic waves and consequently the ground motion. Morphometric analysis of the DEM data has been conducted to identify areas with high potential of accumulation of unconsolidated sediment, and other parameters that influence deposit of loose, unconsolidated soil in the region. Weighted overlay method has been used to create soil amplification susceptibility map for the coastal Odisha. The Mahanadi basin shows dominant structural control on seismic activity. Lineament patterns are mostly directed in the WNW-ESE, NE-SW and NNW-SSE directions and may induce elongation of isoseismic patterns. The analysis also shows that the western, northern and middle parts of the study region have low to moderate susceptibility whereas the coastal Odisha have high susceptibility for seismic amplification due to thick unconsolidated sediment accumulation.