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Scenario ensemble modelling of possible future earthquake impacts in Bhutan

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  • Tom R. Robinson

    (Newcastle University
    Durham University)

Abstract

Recent large earthquakes in the Himalaya have resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, yet these events are thought to have had relatively moderate magnitudes for the region. Evidence suggests multiple events throughout the Himalaya in the last 1000 years have had M > 8.0 and at least two have had M > 8.5. Despite this, understanding of earthquake risk in the region is poorly constrained, particularly in Bhutan, where research on both past and future earthquakes is notably scarce. While recent work has clearly shown the potential for large earthquakes here, the impacts from potential future earthquakes in Bhutan are entirely unknown. This study attempts to address this by modelling the potential fatalities associated with a range of plausible earthquakes through a scenario ensemble analysis in order to inform contingency planning and preparedness. The results show that both the timing and location of future earthquakes are critical factors in determining the number of fatalities, with night-time earthquakes, and those located in the west of the country proving most fatal. The worst case involves ~ 9000 fatalities and results from an M8.5 earthquake directly beneath Bhutan. Nevertheless, at the local scale the number of fatalities appears to saturate at ~ M7.5, since larger earthquakes do not result in significantly larger modelled fatalities. This suggests that local-scale impacts approaching the worst case may be relatively common and emergency planning could focus on comparatively moderate-sized earthquakes since larger, less frequent events may not necessarily result in significantly more fatalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Tom R. Robinson, 2020. "Scenario ensemble modelling of possible future earthquake impacts in Bhutan," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 103(3), pages 3457-3478, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:103:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-020-04138-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04138-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Budimir & P. Atkinson & H. Lewis, 2014. "Earthquake-and-landslide events are associated with more fatalities than earthquakes alone," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 72(2), pages 895-914, June.
    2. Nicole Feldl & Roger Bilham, 2006. "Great Himalayan earthquakes and the Tibetan plateau," Nature, Nature, vol. 444(7116), pages 165-170, November.
    3. Max Wyss, 2005. "Human Losses Expected in Himalayan Earthquakes," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 34(3), pages 305-314, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Victoria L. Stevens & Raffaele Risi & Romain Roux-Mallouf & Dowchu Drukpa & György Hetényi, 2020. "Seismic hazard and risk in Bhutan," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 104(3), pages 2339-2367, December.

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