More than 60% of the India's landmass is exposed to earthquake hazard. Earthquake studies have acquired momentum, particularly after the most disastrous earthquakes like Uttarkashi 1991 (M=6.5), Latur 1993 (M=6.4), Jabalpur 1997 (M=6.0), Chamoli 1999 (M = 6.8), Bhuj 2001 (M= 7.6) and Kashmir 2005 (M=7.4). Ever since, seismic hazard assessment and risk analyses, updating the seismic zonation maps and engineering seismology have gained higher priority in seismological research. Understanding the crustal structure and earthquake processes and estimation of recurrence interval are other priority areas of research.
The Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program (GSHAP) was launched in 1992 with a primary goal to create a global seismic hazard map in a harmonized and regionally coordinated fashion, based on advanced methods in probabilistic seismic hazard assessments. The GSHAP strategy was to establish Regional Centers, which were responsible for the coordination and realization of the four basic elements of the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis.
The large and rapidly growing urban seismic risk in India is a problem that needs to be quickly solved. Pre-disaster planning i.e., mitigation and preparedness can have a good impact on minimizing the post-disaster response i.e., emergency, rescue and rehabilitation. This also reduces tragedy and suffering to a great extent. Main reason for the casualties is collapse of buildings. In order to ensure the construction of safe building infrastructure, we need to address several issues. To contribute to some of the issues, IIIT Hyderabad established Earthquake Engineering Research Centre (EERC).
