GSI to conduct micro-zonation study of Alwar, Bharatpur, Barmer

Jaipur, June 14 (UNI) The Geological Survey of India (GSI) will soon begin the micro-zonation study of Alwar, Bharatpur and Barmer to measure the earthquake potential of the cities.

The GSI has already completed the micro-zonation study of Delhi, Jabalpur, Ahmedabad and Jamnagar, which are considered high risk zones.

Stating this at a press conference here yesterday, Dr R. S. Goyal, deputy director general, GSI, (Western Region), said simulated artificial earthquakes have been conducted in these cities with a hammer weighing 5 to 10 kg, which is dropped to gauge the intensity of the seismic waves generated.

However, Dr Goyal admitted that micro-zonation process is slow and involves a lot of practical difficulties as most cities are already congested, making it further difficult for GSI to conduct their experiments.

The GSI has already prepared the seismic map of the country on the basis of statistics and previous data of 200 years, tectonic study of the areas and study of microplate boundaries.

Dr Goyal said Rajasthan generally falls in the relatively safe zone and a review of the past earthquakes shows that Rajasthan has had only one earthquake above the magnitude of 5 on the Richter scale in Jaisalmer in 1991 which reportedly reactivated the Kanoi Fault.

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