K. Marimira1 , B. Manzunzu2 , V. Midzi2 , L. Nare3
1Department of Meteorological Services, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
2Council for Geoscience (CGS), South Africa
3National University of Science and Technology, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Abstract:
A probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Zimbabwe is analysed according to the data and statistics of the seismicity of Zimbabwe and sources of earthquakes around the country. Data from different sources were merged and duplicate earthquakes were removed. Data from IMS stations in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe includes contributions to the catalogue from 2003.The catalogue was unified with all magnitude types converted to Mw. The "deductive" probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) approach was used; this integrates geological and geophysical information together with seismic event catalogues in the assessment of seismic hazard. In this study, seismic hazard maps are presented as maps showing peak ground acceleration (PGA) for Zimbabwe. The maps have a 10% probability of exceedance in a 50 year period, and are prepared using a homogenized catalogue compiled for seismic moment magnitude. The highest levels of seismic hazards in Zimbabwe are along the eastern border of the country with Mozambique, in the Lake Kariba area and in the mid Zambezi basin in the vicinity of the Save-Limpopo mobile belt.
