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Seismic source characteristics in Kachchh and Saurashtra regions of Western India: b-value and fractal dimension mapping of aftershock sequences

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Abstract

Seismic source characteristics in the Kachchh rift basin and Saurashtra horst tectonic blocks in the stable continental region (SCR) of western peninsular India are studied using the earthquake catalog data for the period 2006–2011 recorded by a 52-station broadband seismic network known as Gujarat State Network (GSNet) running by Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gujarat. These data are mainly the aftershock sequences of three mainshocks, the 2001 Bhuj earthquake (M w 7.7) in the Kachchh rift basin, and the 2007 and 2011 Talala earthquakes (M w ≥ 5.0) in the Saurashtra horst. Two important seismological parameters, the frequency–magnitude relation (b-value) and the fractal correlation dimension (D c) of the hypocenters, are estimated. The b-value and the D c maps indicate a difference in seismic characteristics of these two tectonic regions. The average b-value in Kachchh region is 1.2 ± 0.05 and that in the Saurashtra region 0.7 ± 0.04. The average D c in Kachchh is 2.64 ± 0.01 and in Saurashtra 2.46 ± 0.01. The hypocenters in Kachchh rift basin cluster at a depth range 20–35 km and that in Saurashtra at 5–10 km. The b-value and D c cross sections image the seismogenic structures that shed new light on seismotectonics of these two tectonic regions. The mainshock sources at depth are identified as lower b-value or stressed zones at the fault end. Crustal heterogeneities are well reflected in the maps as well as in the cross sections. We also find a positive correlation between b- and D c-values in both the tectonic regions.

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Acknowledgments

We sincerely acknowledge Dr. B. K. Rastogi, Director General, Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gujarat, for his encouragement, support and kind permission to publish this work. The author IGR extends gratefulness to the Director General for his kind invitation to the ISR as a Visiting Fellow and for providing necessary support and hospitality during his stay at the institute.

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  1. Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Raisan, Gandhinagar, 382 009, Gujarat, India

    A. P. Singh, Santosh Kumar & J. R. Kayal

  2. Spaceage Geoconsulting, PO Box 6154, Conder, ACT, 2906, Australia

    Indrajit G. Roy

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Singh, A.P., Roy, I.G., Kumar, S. et al. Seismic source characteristics in Kachchh and Saurashtra regions of Western India: b-value and fractal dimension mapping of aftershock sequences. Nat Hazards 77 (Suppl 1), 33–49 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-013-1005-3

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