SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR FAULT PLANE SOLUTION (FPS) AND ISOSEISMIAL MAP

Abstract

Focal Mechanism studies and Intensity Investigations have helped seismologists to have the better understanding and seismic zonation of the area under investigation. For Focal mechanism studies, Beach Ball Calculator (BBC ver 1.0), has been prepared using MATLAB 7.0.1 . This is the first programmable software for Fault Plane solution , which can run on multiple operating systems. For intensity investigation a website (Geoquaidian's Earthquake Information Center - GEIC) has been prepared in present study. A destructive earthquake of 7.6 Mw hit in the northern part of Pakistan on 8th October, 2005. This earthquake caused severe damages and loss of life. The United State Geological Survey (USGS) named it as the deadly earthquake of year 2005. In present study seismological characteristics of this event has been studied using BBC ver 1.0 and GEIC website. The area lies between longitude 71°E-74°E and latitude 33°30'N-35°N. This area covers almost all the terrain ranging from Main Mantle thrust (MMT) to Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). The geology and seismicity of the area is discussed in detail with special reference to Indus Kohistan Seismic Zone (IKSZ) identified by Seeber et ai, 1979.