Intraplate seismicity and earthquake hazard in the Aravalli–Delhi Fold Belt, India

The Aravalli–Delhi Fold Belt (ADFB) is one of three prominent ridges on the continental part Indian plate extending northward from central India and subducting beneath Himalayan arc. Though it seismogenic along its entire NE–SW structural trend, activity varies spatially with a noteworthy region higher seismicity in vicinity Delhi. We analyse historical modern instrumented seismicity. Using recomputed focal mechanisms for events such as 1956 Bulandshahr earthquake, we found that maximum principal stress (σ1) this oriented N–S to direction, similar neighbouring Garhwal–Kumaun Himalayas. Our analysis also indicates earthquakes ADFB occur steep faults which are parallel or oblique trend crust appears be seismically active up depth ~40 km. Within better Delhi region, observed pattern average monthly frequency recorded speculate was modulated by monsoonal recharge local water table. cause AFDB still question debate, pending seismological geodetic instrumentation, but build evolutionary models suggest consequence continued relative motion between Bundelkhand Marwar cratons northern shield. nature causes notwithstanding, proximity large cities Delhi, Jaipur Udaipur poorly-studied unknown sources seismic hazard concern warrants further scientific policy intervention.