EARTHQUAKE IN DHAKA

CITY

Prepared By:

Md. Hamidur Rahman

Student Id: 1315012

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An earthquake is the result of sudden release of energy in the

Earth’s crust that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes are

measured using observations from seismometers on Moment

magnitude scale or Richter magnitude scale.

Geographically Bangladesh is located close to the two active

Jones created by two tectonic plates ( the Indian plate and the

Eurasian plate). Moreover, the country is surrounded by the

Himalayan Arc, the Shillong Plateau and the Dauki fault

system in the north, the Burmese Arc and Arakan Yoma

anticlinorium in the east (Ali and Choudhury, 2001).

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Figure : Seismic zoning map of Bangladesh

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Earthquake in Dhaka city 4

Population density is very high

Buildings don’t have seismic

resistance

Building codes are not followed

Inadequate space in front of

buildings

Inadequate fire safety options

Unplanned urbanization

Figure : Unplanned urbanization

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Fig : Seismic Vulnerability Map of Dhaka City

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Names of

Earthquakes

Magnitude Intensity at

Dhaka

Distance(km)

1869 Cachar 7.5 v 250

1885 Bengal 7 vii 170

1897 Great Indian 8.7 Viii+ 290

1918 Srimangal 7.6 vi 150

1930 Dhubri 7.1 v+ 250

Table : Magnitude, EMS intensities and distances of some major historical

earthquakes around Dhaka

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Fig : Active fault locations map of 1897 Great Indian Earthquake

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The 2:00 AM estimate considers that the

residential occupancy load is maximum

The 2:00 PM estimate considers that the

educational, commercial and industrial

sector loads are maximum

Case 1 : During an earthquake at 7.5 Mw originated from Madhupur

fault

Case 2: During an earthquake at 8.0 Mw from plate boundary Fault‐2.

Case 3: During an earthquake originated from under the city at 6.0 Mw

Time estimation :

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Source: Hazardous calculation based on database, engineering geology and seismic hazard

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Fig : Earthquake Damage Map of Dhaka City

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Identify the key resources, both human and Physical

Identify the critical areas for immediate action

Build and train the emergency response team in advance

Define the general policies and approach in advance

Consider the likely consequences of an emergency before it occurs

Contingency planning is because it will facilitate a rapid

emergency response by allowing planners, in advance of an

emergency to:

Thank You

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Reference :Ansary, M.A., and Ali, M., Seismic risk of Dhaka city and role of the

insurance community, Insurance journal of Bangladesh, No. 55, pp. 5-34.

Dhaka vulnerable to earthquakes due to unplanned urbanization (2009, August 13).

Retrieved on March 20,2015 from

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6727273.html

Khan, D. A. (2004, July 06). Earthquake hazard : Dhaka city

perspective. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from The Daily

Star

http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/07/d407061502107.htm

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