Site Response Study of Jammu City using Micro-tremor Measurements

Study Area

Jammu district derives its name from Raja Jambolchan, the founder of Jammu city. The Jammu district is bounded by district of Rajouri in the west, Udhampur in north and northwest and Kathua in the east and south east. It has an international border with Pakistan too. Jammu city lies in Zone IV on the Seismic Zoning map of India as per BIS – 1983 (2002). It is a fast growing and important city of Jammu & Kashmir State in northern India. Jammu the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir state, a city of temples, symbol of ancient values and has a distinct image due to its heritage, location and linkages. Situated on a sub hilly area between 32.62⁰ - 32.81⁰N and 74.76⁰ - 74.97⁰ E at an altitude of 400m above MSL. The city’s sprawl is on both the banks of the river Tawi, which is a tributary of river Chenab. The old city is confined to the right bank; whereas the later expansions of the city have largely taken place on the left bank. Large scale urbanization and industrialization has been observed in last two decades have given rise to what is called now Greater Jammu. The greater Jammu area falls in sub Himalayan region. Physiographically Jammu can be divided into two units; outer plains and outer hills. The elevation of the tract varies from 280-400 MSL. The lower slope of Shiwalik hills having an altitude of 320-400 MSL is called Kandi area. The region is characterized by thirsty soil and very deep water table. It includes the areas on the left bank of river Tawi and only few areas at the right bank of river Tawi. To the north of the outer plains, stands the outermost range of Shiwaliks also called foothills. The Shiwaliks have gentle slope and are covered with boulders and pebbles. It lies mostly on the right bank of the river Tawi (JMC website, 2014).

According to the Census 2011, Jammu city has a population 503,690, out of which 265,346 are male and 238,344 are female. The limits of city increased regularly in the last decade. In 2003 the limits of the city under Jammu Muncipal Corporation has been increased many fold from 32 sq.km to 112 sq.km (JMC website, 2014). At present the area of Jammu is 167 sq.km (Wikipedia on Jammu).