Geodesy and Geodynamics (Mar 2024)
Detailed seismic zoning of the East Kazakhstan region in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Abstract
Kazakhstan is currently drafting new construction regulations that comply with the major provisions of the Eurocodes. Such regulations are created on the basis of seismic zoning maps of various degrees of detail, developed by our Institute of Seismology using a new methodological approach for Kazakhstan. The article is about creating the first normative map of the Detailed Seismic Zoning on a probabilistic foundation for the Republic of Kazakhstan's East Kazakhstan region. We carried out the probabilistic assessment of seismic hazard using a methodology consistent with the main provisions of Eurocode 8 and updated compared with that used in developing maps of Kazakhstan's General Seismic Zoning and seismic microzoning of Almaty. The most thorough and current data accessible for the area under consideration were combined with contemporary analytical techniques. Updates have been done to not only the databases being used but also the way seismic sources were shown, including active faults now. On a scale of 1:1000000, precise seismic zoning maps of the East Kazakhstan region were created for two probabilities of exceedance: 10 % and 2 % in 50 years in terms of peak ground accelerations and macroseismic intensities. The obtained seismic hazard distribution is generally consistent with the General Seismic Zoning of Kazakhstan's previous findings. However, because active faults were included and a thoroughly revised catalog was used, there are more pronounced zones of increased danger along the fault in the western part of the region. In the west of the territory, acceleration values also increased due to a more accurate consideration of seismotectonic conditions. Zoning maps are the basis for developing new state building regulations of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
