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Abstract: Identification and characterization of active faults and deciphering their seismic potential are of vital importance
in seismic hazard assessment of any region. Seismic vulnerability of India is well known as more than 60 % of its area
lies in high hazard zones due to the presence of major active faults in its plate boundaries and continental interiors,
which produced large earthquakes in the past and have potential to generate major earthquakes in future. The safety of
critical establishments, like Power plants, Refinaries and other lifeline structures is a major concern in these areas and
calls for a better characterization of these faults to help mitigate the impact of future earthquakes. The paper provides a
brief overview of the work carried out in India on active fault research, its limitations and immediate priorities.
Fig.1. Seismo-tectonic map of India and adjoining regions depicting epicentral locations of the earthquakes from the period 819-2008;
broadly classified tectonic provinces viz; subduction zones, Himalayan Collision zone, active intraplate zone and stable continental
region are delineated with different shades. The map also shows major active faults in different tectonic domains of the country
(modified after Nath and Thingbaijam, 2012)
and have been the source of a large number of small entitled “Seismotectonic Atlas of India and its Environs”
earthquakes, in the past, in different parts of the country. (Dasgupta et al. 2000). This Atlas contains several
These faults also need to be studied in detail, to estimate seismotectonic maps of different parts of India prepared on
their potential for generating major earthquakes in future. It 1:1million scale. As per the information contained in this
is also observed that most of the faults have very long Atlas, about 67 active faults of regional extent exist in the
recurrence intervals, i.e. thousands to tens of thousands of country; out of which, 15 of them exist in the Himalayan
years, whereas, seismic records are available only for belt, trending both parallel and transverse to it. Most of these
hundreds to thousands of years. Therefore, identification, came into existence during the terminal phase of the
characterization, and mapping of active faults attain Himalayan orogeny and still participate in the strain
importance, especially, for seismic hazard zonation and other accumulation and its release. Also, about 16 tectonically
seismotectonic studies. active faults have been delineated in the Indo-Gangetic and
Brahmaputra plains, which are generally concealed under a
Current Status of Active Fault Studies in India thick mantle of alluvium. The Peninsular India is marked
Geological Survey of India (GSI), which is mainly by the presence of about 30 neotectonic faults, confined
engaged in geological mapping, mineral exploration and mostly in the palaeo-rift systems. The Andaman and Nicobar
earthquake related studies, has taken up active fault Group of islands, falling under Zone V of the Seismic Zoning
investigations along some of the known tectonic Map of India, are characterized by the presence of three
discontinuities in different seismotectonic domains of the N-S trending faults of regional extent and two active faults
country. Various active faults were identified using strip in the NE region. In addition, there are some hidden faults
geological mapping, geomorphological and paleo- which also contribute for seismicity of the country (see also
seismological investigations. The work done by GSI in the www.portal.gsi.gov.in).
past 40 years has been compiled in the form of an Atlas Besides, some work in this area has been carried out by
individual researchers. The active tectonics in Himalaya, calls for a precise characterization/ quantification of such
particularly of the sub-Himalaya which is reflected by many faults. Also, uncertainty in predictive values of recurrence
geomorphological features such as river terraces, alluvial interval and magnitude of earthquake event is another
fans, streams and ridges, triangular facets, sag ponds and important factor, which requires attention for developing
structurally controlled drainage pattern etc., has received the site specific hazard scenario.
considerable attention. Nakata (1989) indentified the active Active fault mapping, being the important input for
faults of the Himalaya in India and Nepal. Neotectonic seismic hazard assessment, needs to be taken up in an
activity in the Himalayan belt was further investigated by integrated/ systematic manner. Recognizing this fact and to
Valdiya (1984; 1993). Geomorphic signatures for active meet the country’s requirement to address seismic hazard
tectonics were observed in the Trans-Yamuna segment of associated with its diverse tectonic regimes, Ministry of
the western Doon valley, NW Himalaya by Philip (1995) Earth Sciences (MoES) plans to launch a dedicated
and Phillip and Sah (1999). Many new active faults were programme to undertake Active Fault mapping in the country
identified and investigated by individual researchers to in a more systematic and comprehensive way. Following
estimate their recurrence intervals on the basis of are the important objectives of this programme:
geomorphological, geological, remote-sensing, geophysical y Define and categorize the active faults in Indian
and paleoseismological investigations etc. in different perspective.
tectonically active regions of the country. For example, Joshi y Develop common methodologies for the field mapping,
and Tandon (1987); Wenousky et al. (1999); Malik and trenching/logging and dating event horizons such as
Nakata (2003); Kumar et al. (2006, 2010); Malik et al. fault-slip, colluvial wedges, fault gouge, paleo-
(2010); and Dasgupta et al. (2013) worked in Himalayan liquefaction etc.
region. Sukhija et al. (2006); Rajendran et al. (2001); Joshi y Generation of composite data and ensure its availability
et al. (2013) presented results for the Indian shield region. to the users in a GIS compatible format.
Also, several large earthquakes and their relationship with y Preparation of active fault maps of different regions
active faulting, e.g. 1934 Bihar, Nepal, 1950 Assam, 2005 and the country as a whole.
Kashmir, 2004 Andaman Sumatra, 1993 Killari, 2001 Bhuj The programme will be implemented in multi-
and 2011 Sikkim earthquakes have been investigated using institutional mode in a phased manner, starting from NW
advanced techniques. and Central Himalaya. The Himalayan foothills; Northeast
Himalaya; Shillong Plateau; Kachchh region, Saurashtra and
Future Roadmap other rift basins and cratonic regions showing mild persistent
There has been significant advancement of our seismicity are some of the priority areas for the future active
knowledge about the active faults during the last few years. fault studies. A national database would also be created on
The new techniques viz., InSAR, GPR and GPS etc. have active faults in appropriate GIS format. We hope that data
helped in better quantification. Many new near surface faults accrued under this programme would not only help in
have been delineated using GPR and the GPS based geodetic accurate seismic hazard assessment, but will also provide
technique and is being used to estimate the slip rate and important inputs for land use planning, urban development
strain accumulation along the major faults in different parts and as well as for developing new relationships for earth-
of the country. However, most of the studies so far have quake resistant design of the structures.
been carried out in a piece-meal manner and lack detailed
information in terms of fault type; its spatial extent; dip; Acknowledgements: Authors express their gratitude
strike; age; slip rate; age and magnitude of last event it to Secretary, MoES for his constant support and encourage-
generated; recurrence interval and dating method etc. and ment.
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