The Possibility of Site Effects: The Anjar Case, following Past Earthquakes in Gujarat, India

A study on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Anjar, India, reveals significant site effects during past earthquakes in Gujarat. The research highlights that the city's topography, with its low rocky ridges and sloping areas prone to drainage, plays a crucial role in earthquake damage distribution. Observations from historical earthquakes, including the 1819 Mw 7.8 quake, show that half of Anjar suffered minimal damage due to its stable terrain, while the other half, situated on slopes leading to swamps and springs, experienced severe destruction. The study combines seismological data with geological analysis to demonstrate how local site conditions can amplify earthquake impacts, providing critical insights for seismic risk assessment in similar heritage sites.

Rastogi, B. K., Singh, A. P., Sairam, B., Jain, S. K., Kaneko, F., Segawa, S., & Matsuo, J. (2011). The Possibility of Site Effects: The Anjar Case, following Past Earthquakes in Gujarat, India. Seismological Research Letters, 82(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.82.1.59