Himalaya and Earthquakes

Paleoseismic or Earthquake geological studies have been conducted during the last decade to begin understanding the timing, size, rupture extent, return period, and mechanics of the faulting associated with the occurrence of large surface rupturing earthquakes along the ~2500 km long Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) or Main Frontal Thrust (MFT) System. Defining the rupture segments and magnitudes of earthquakes has been a challenge because of the scarcity of both historical records of the events and paleoseismic data.

The implications of these studies in respect of disaster are: Great earthquakes thus transfer the convergence between southern Tibet and stable India along the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) to the HFT in the Himalaya. Developing a calendar of the paleo-earthquake history of the Himalayan region is an issue of great academic importance and practical applications in providing input parameters for SHA (Seismic Hazard Assessment) that will have implications for the safety of the Himalayan foothills.

About the Speaker:
Dr R.J.G. Perumal is the Head of the Structure and Tectonic as well as Sedimentology and Quaternary Geology groups. He is the Head of the Technical Coordination Project monitoring and Evaluation committee (TCPME). Dr Perumal is one of the pivotal scientists in the formation of the discipline of Earthquake Geology in the Himalayas. He developed a Web-Based Online Active Fault Database for Uttarakhand state. Dr. Perumal published 65 papers, a patent and a book and edited a couple of volumes. He is the Associate Editor of Himalayan Geology. He guides about 10 doctoral and 25 Masters' students. He executed many national, international and consultancy projects. Dr. Perumal was honoured with many awards, including the IGU-Anni Talwani Memorial Prize (2020), Prof. Jhingran Memorial Lecture Award (2019), National Geosciences Award (2018), S.S Merh Award (2016), BOYSCAST Fellowship (2010-2011), to name some of the most recent ones.