| Abstract |
This study analyzes seismic hazards in Gujarat’s mainland, emphasizing two major urban cities, Vadodara and Surat, which are classed as seismic zone III under Seismic Code IS:1893-2016. The regions have a typical geological setup, which can sustain large amplified shaking not only from local earthquakes but also from significant events originating in the Kutch and Saurashtra regions. Rapid growth of urban areas, alluvial soil conditions, and proximity to active faults increase seismic risk, particularly during smart city and infrastructural development projects. To determine the potential hazard, appropriate site characterization and determination of the soil properties are essential to design a structure with safety and stability. This establishes the great need for carrying out seismic microzonation of both regions. The study improves site characterization by analyzing geological, geotechnical, and geophysical data such as borehole data, SPT values, and MASW-based shear wave profiles. Probabilistic and deterministic methods assess bedrock-level PGA, indicating increased seismic risk. The PGA models produced higher-than-expected results in several city regions, showing the region’s susceptibility to both near-field and far-field seismic events. Liquefaction potential mapping identifies major city areas near riverbanks as high-risk zones. The findings assist earthquake-resistant infrastructure planning, providing important insights for policymakers and urban resilience. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Indian Geotechnical Society 2025. |
