Approach for estimation of seismic damage potential to vital community facilities for emergency planning

This study presents an approach for estimating seismic damage potential to vital community facilities in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, crucial for effective emergency planning. The research integrates a deterministic seismic hazard assessment with the geographical mapping of critical infrastructure using a geographic information system (GIS) platform. An analysis of 200 years of seismic data, including 103 recorded events and 59 potential seismic sources, established the local hazard landscape. The findings reveal spatially variable peak ground acceleration (PGA) across Vellore, with southern and southwestern regions showing higher average PGA values. Some of the seismic sources are projected to induce “strong” to “very strong” shaking and “moderate damage”. Conversely, other sources indicate “light” to “very light damage”. The integration of hazard assessment with perceived shaking and potential damage estimations highlights that critical facilities like hospitals, police, and fire stations are located within zones susceptible to both moderate and strong shaking, potentially incurring light to moderate damage. This methodology enhances awareness among planners, facilitates informed land-use decisions, and supports resilient development planning by clearly visualizing infrastructure vulnerabilities within hazardous areas.