Segmentation of Main Boundary Thrust and Main Central Thrust in Western Himalaya for assessment of seismic hazard by Mridula et al., Nat Hazards (2016) 84: 383–403

Mridula et al. (Nat Hazards 84:383–403, (2016) have tried to identify segments of two major thrust faults, the Main Boundary Thrust and Main Central Thrust, in Western Himalaya. This was done by using seismological and tectonic data where various patterns have been recognized. However, the study has used uncorrected seismological data to recognize patterns. This has serious limitations because the seismological data have huge errors with depth, which should be corrected before any pattern can be recognized. Since the earthquake data have not been corrected for depth, it is impossible to plot them on a tectonic map and to assign them to a particular fault. Such an exercise is possible only if the earthquake events are relocated for both depth and location. Further, the authors have used very old tectonic map, which has not been updated, and often the faults are not properly mapped as could be seen on the latest tectonic and topographic maps available. Thus, we aim to initiate a discussion on this and offer solutions which could improve the paper and give an opportunity for authors to rethink over their work.