Geographical Information System (GIS) Analysis of Earthquake Destruction Pattern in Pakistan

Abstract

This research work found two threatening earthquake sources right inside Pakistan, around Muzaffarabad in Kashmir and around Quetta in Baluchistan. While the third source was in Hindu Kush in North-Eastern corner of Afghanistan near the North-Western border of Pakistan threatening Chitral, Ghizer, Dlamir, Drupper, Swat and Kohistan of Pakistan. The results showed the 100% matching with the real life earthquakes that occurred in Pakistan in terms of the depth and month of seismic activity. For the 5-year period from 2005 to 2009, the maximum seismic activity depth and month were found to match with the month and depth of occurrence of both earthquakes, that of Muzaffarabad on October 08, 2005 and that of Ziarat earthquake on October 29, 2008. Both earthquakes occurred in the month of October and at the depth of 10 km and were crucial in causing the collapse of houses and destruction of property and civil structures