Micro-Tremor Data Analysis for Site Response Studies of Srinagar, Garhwal (India)

Site response studies using micro-tremor or ambient noise data are one of the well-known tools of seismic hazard assessment and microzonation. Different soil types behave differently for the same ground motion - some amplify it and some do not. It is well-accepted that, besides the earthquake magnitude and epicenter distance, local geology exerts significant influence on earthquake ground motion at a given location. In general, soft soil and thick overburden amplify the ground motion. Micro-tremor data provides an important input in seismic microzonation studies. Srinagar (Garhwal Himalaya), the largest growing city of Uttarakhand, India, lies in seismic zone V and has long seismic history. The micro-tremor data using Altus K2SMA has been collected from 47 locations in different parts of the city. The city has been divided into three zones on the basis of natural frequency (Nf). The most part of the city lies in zone 1. The central part of the city has a share of rest zones i.e. II and III. Vulnerability index has been also computed and found in the range from 1–236.