Earthquake-induced deformation structures along Trans-Yamuna active fault system: Doon Valley, NW Himalaya

Abstract

Due to continued continental convergence of Indian–Eurasian plates, the Himalayan region witnessed several high-magnitude earthquakes and is prone to major seismic events in future as well. Most of the countries with seismically active faults examine paleo seismic data in site specific as well as regional seismic hazard analyses. Hence, it is of great concern to find evidence for prehistoric earthquakes following the morphotectonic route and establish the recurrence intervals of potential earthquakes by characterising and dating large prehistoric events. The present study discusses the paleo seismicity and induced deformational features in the Trans-Yamuna region of the outer Northwest Himalaya by interpreting soft sediment deformation and paleo-liquefaction features. We targeted two sites along the Trans-Yamuna active fault system, which are located in the Sirmurital and Bharli villages; both of these locations are close to Doon Valley along the Main Boundary Thrust. Temporal distribution of paleo-liquefaction features evident major seismic events likely to occur during 16th and 19th centuries, which clearly indicates reactivation of faults in this hinterland region that could experience major rupture during the recurrence of large magnitude earthquake and therefore, constructional activities are a matter of great concern to design structures accordingly.