Evaluation of liquefaction potential of Guwahati: Gateway city to Northeastern India

Guwahati city is a major city in the northeastern region of India, which is growing rapidly in every aspect, particularly the major infrastructures like sports complex, educational institutions, flyovers, multiplex halls, etc. Two great earthquakes struck this region in 1897 and 1950, and large-scale liquefaction was reported in and around the Guwahati city. However, a detailed microzonation study for liquefaction is not available so far and is taken up accordingly. The liquefaction potential of the Guwahati city is estimated using hundred boreholes data located at different places of city with a design peak ground acceleration of 0.36 g. The results are presented in the form of factor of safety contours at several depths below the ground surface. These contour maps indicate that most of the sites in Guwahati city area are susceptible to liquefaction and hence this aspect has to be considered in earthquake-resistant design of foundations/structures in Guwahati city.