Seismicity analysis of the Eastern Hindu Kush Region using geospatial techniques

Abstract

This study presents a geo-statistical approach to analyze the seismicity of the Eastern Hindu Kush region using earthquake records from the past 200 years obtained from the USGS open-source geo-database. The study also utilized SRTM, Digital elevation model to visualize the spatial range, magnitude, and depth of earthquakes in the region. The IDW and Weighted Overlay Analysis approaches were employed to interpolate seismic data in a GIS environment. For seismic assessment in the Eastern Hindu Kush region, a Seismic Hazard Zonation Map (SHZM) based on fault density, seismic depth, and magnitude was developed. The map highlights that the north-eastern side of region is located in a zone with a high level of seismic activity. Western Chitral, the western part of Upper Dir, and Lower Dir fall under a moderate seismicity zone, while Swat, south-eastern Chitral, and the northern section of Upper Dir lie in a zone with strong seismic activity. The study findings revealed that the Hindu Kush Region is vulnerable to moderate and high-magnitude earthquakes, posing a risk to the region's residents, particularly given their socioeconomic status and the highly susceptible nature of their houses. As a result, the findings of this study can give significant insights to disaster management authorities in decision-making and policy planning to improve community resilience and minimize the potential negative effects of future earthquakes.