GSI intensifies seismic survey in NE

KOLKATA, February 2: Jolted by the magnitude of devastation in the Gujarat earthquake, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is tightening up its seismo-tectonic surveys in quake-prone North Bengal and the Northeast States to advise individual State Governments on model building procedures, reports PTI. "We have already taken up work in the high risk zone on Mizoram, whose capital Aizawl is a nightmare for a seismologist as it has no codes and rules of town planning," GSI Director General K Krishnanunni told a press meet here today. North Bengal and Northeast States, with at least 300 active underground faults, falls under the seismic zone five, the same belt running through Bhuj and the Rann of Kutch, he said. "As such, the risk for these areas is as much as for tectonically active Bhuj. Anyone building a structure in these areas or even a highrise must think twice before compromising for cheap material," Krishnanunni said. The newly-appointed GSI DG said the seismic potential of the Mishmi hill belt, the Arunachal Pradesh-Bhutan belt and Nagaland in Northeast was well known and the GSI, with its vast research base was willing to extend consultancy to all State Governments. "Mizoram has approached us and we are in the process of charting out the model code for them. Any other State Government which approaches us would also be actively supported to minimise impact of such disasters in future," he said. GSI had started mobilising its scientific personnel from various parts of India for post-quake studies in Gujarat. "Around 25 geologists and 12 geophysicists from Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, Gandhinagar, Nagpur, Pune and Faridabad are working in Gujarat, the epicentral tract and also in surrounding areas of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to collect data," Krishnanunni said. The scientists are studying the nature and type of damage to civil constructions including major engineering structures, seismological changes usually caused by such large earthquakes and aftershock distribution pattern from 14 temporary seismic network established by GSI. Krishnanunni said the damage in the quake was 'not unpredictable' as its high seismic potential had been established through historical records.