EARTHQUAKE IN DHAKA CITY Prepared By: Md. Hamidur Rahman Student Id: 1315012
Jul 15, 2015
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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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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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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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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:
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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