Seismic Zones of India

 

India is one of the most seismically active countries in the world due to its location on the boundaries of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the country, and they can cause significant damage to life and property. To mitigate the impact of earthquakes, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has divided India into four seismic zones based on the magnitude and frequency of earthquakes in each region. In this blog script, we will discuss these seismic zones and their characteristics.


                                            Fig: India Earthquake zone map

 

Seismic Zones in India:

 

The seismic zones of India are as follows:

 

Seismic Zone 1: This zone is the least seismically active area of India, and it covers parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the north eastern states. The earthquake magnitude in this region is typically less than 5.0, and it experiences seismic activity at a frequency of once every 500 years.

 

Seismic Zone 2: This zone covers parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Sikkim, and the northern parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The earthquake magnitude in this region is typically between 5.0 and 5.9, and it experiences seismic activity at a frequency of once every 200 years.

 

Seismic Zone 3: This zone covers the entire Gangetic plain, including parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and the Delhi region. The earthquake magnitude in this region is typically between 6.0 and 6.9, and it experiences seismic activity at a frequency of once every 50 years.

 

Seismic Zone 4: This zone covers the entire north eastern region of India, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The earthquake magnitude in this region is typically greater than 7.0, and it experiences seismic activity at a frequency of once every 10 years.

 

Characteristics of each Seismic Zone:

 

Seismic Zone 1: Buildings in this zone do not require seismic-resistant design, but they should be designed to resist wind and snow loads.

 

Seismic Zone 2: Buildings in this zone should be designed to resist earthquakes of magnitude up to 6.0. They should have a low-risk factor, and the structures should be designed to resist lateral forces.

 

Seismic Zone 3: Buildings in this zone should be designed to resist earthquakes of magnitude up to 6.5. They should have a moderate-risk factor, and the structures should be designed to resist both lateral and vertical forces.

 

Seismic Zone 4: Buildings in this zone should be designed to resist earthquakes of magnitude up to 8.0. They should have a high-risk factor, and the structures should be designed to resist both lateral and vertical forces. The buildings should also have a strong foundation and be designed to withstand soil liquefaction.

 

Conclusion:

 

It is important to design buildings and structures that can withstand earthquakes in India, given the country's high seismic activity. The seismic zones of India provide a framework for designing structures that can resist the forces generated by earthquakes. Engineers and architects must take these seismic zones into account when designing buildings and structures in India to ensure the safety of the occupants and to prevent damage to the property.

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