Project News

Conducted microtremor survey at pilot site Ura

The Department of Geology and Mines (DGM), the Ministry of Economic Affairs conducted microtremor survey in Ura gewog(Sub-district), Bumthang Dzongkha (Distict) from April 4th to April 27th. Ura is designated as a pilot site in the project as an area where masonry buildings gather. Areas were divided by a 100m square grid, and microtremor surveys were performed on each grid.

Since the tremor data is analyzed using the SPAC method (Spatial Auto-Correlation method), in the field work, triangular array (the sensors are placed at three vertices and the center of the equilateral triangle) and linear array were used. The tremor data was collected for about 20 minutes. This field work was done at a total of 90 points while moving through each grid.

DGM is planning a drone topographic survey in Ura gewog in coming May. The microtremor survey data and topographic survey data are used to create hazard maps after analysis work by DGM. Hazard maps are also used to create risk maps and are used in public awareness activities at pilot sites.

SPAC measurement (left), Setting of equipment (right)
Photo courtesy of DGM