Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment of Sudan and Its Vicinity

Abstract

This paper presents seismic hazard assessment and seismic zoning of Sudan and its vicinity based on probabilistic approach. The area studied lies between 22° E- 45° E and 0° - 24° N. Tectonics of Sudan and its vicinity is first reviewed. An updated NOAA catalogue, containing both historical and instrumental events and covering the period from 700 A.D. to 1993 is then used. Seismic source regions are modeled and relationships between earthquake magnitude and earthquake frequency are established. A modified attenuation relation is used. Seismic hazard assessment is then carried out for 60 km interval grid points. Seismic hazard maps of the studied area based on peak ground acceleration (PGA) for 10% probability of exceedance for time-spans of 50, 100, 200 and 250 years are presented. The results showed that the PGA ranges from 0.02g for low seismic activity regions to around 0.62g for high seismic activity regions. A seismic zone map is also shown for 475 years return period.