Geological observations of the 26 January 2001 Bhuj earthquake

The entire Gujarat State in general and Kachchh region in particular experienced one of the most devastating earthquakes in the Indian shield on 26(th) January 2001. This earthquake has caused significant damage to life and property and is one of the most important seismic events that can serve as a modem analogue for studying ground deformation caused on account of large magnitude earthquake in the stratigraphic record. Mainly four different kinds of ground deformation have been observed in Kachchh: (a) large scale ground fissuring, (b) lateral spreads/faulting, (c) rock falls and slumping and (d) liquefaction and fluidization. Intense ground deformation is seen in the domain of Kachchh Mainland Fault (KMF). Most of the intense liquefaction and ground-rupture sites fall along the extent of KMF which indicates that a part of Kachchh Mainland Fault has been activated between Kunaria in the west to Adhoi in the east during this earthquake.