Seismic Hazard Assessment and Landslide Vulnerability Mapping for Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir Using GIS Technique

In the present study, earthquake-induced landslide susceptibility mapping of the two newly formed union territories of India namely Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir has been done based on Newmark’s methodology using GIS techniques. The vulnerability of the study area against induced seismic acceleration was estimated in terms of static safety factor (FSc). Terrain slope and Peak Horizontal acceleration (PHA) were taken as the major input for the study. Deterministic Seismic Hazard Analysis (DSHA) was carried out by considering linear seismic source model to obtain PHA at the bedrock level using a MATLAB code developed by authors. The PHA was amplified to the ground surface using appropriate site correction factors considering the B-type site class. GIS technique was employed to get slope value from Digital Elevation Models (DEM). The two union territories were divided into 30m×30m grids and the static factor of safety values required to prevent the landslide for each grid were estimated. It is observed that both Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir are at risk of landslides caused by earthquakes, as many spots demand a critical safety factor (FSc) of greater than 1.0. It is apparent that the upper western sections of Jammu & Kashmir, which include Muzaffarabad district and parts of Punch district, are severely prone to landslides since they require FSc greater than 2.0. In comparison to other regions, the lower western region of Ladakh, near India’s political border, is demanding a high value of FSc. The map thus developed is an excellent guide to researchers for detailed study and to policymakers for taking remedial actions.