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New Research Highlights Critical Need for Seismic Microzonation in North African Cities
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Recent studies conductedโค in Ghabt (Agadir), Morocco,โฃ and Algiers, Algeria, underscore the vital role of seismic microzonation in mitigatingโฃ earthquake risks for rapidly expandingโข urban areas. Researchers are โemploying advanced geotechnical investigations and spectral analysis techniques toโค create detailed hazard maps, โinforming safer construction practices and urban planning decisions. โThese efforts come as both nations โexperience continued population โgrowth and development in seismically activeโข regions.
Earthquakes pose a meaningful threat to communities across North Africa, and the potential for devastating consequences is amplified โby unplannedโข urban expansion. Seismic microzonation – the process of dividing an area into zones withโข similar earthquake โขresponse characteristics – โคprovides crucial data for building codes,emergency โpreparedness,and land-use planning. The findings from these studies, published in 2024โ and 2025 respectively, offer a โคblueprint for other citiesโ facing similar challenges, possibly saving lives โคand reducing economicโ losses โin future seismic events. The stakes are high, as inadequate readiness coudl ledโค to widespread damage andโ disruption.
Geotechnical Investigations โin Ghabt, Morocco
A studyโค published in the Journal of African Earth Sciences โ (2024) details a comprehensive seismic microzonation โassessment for the Ghabt administrative area ofโ Agadir, western Morocco. Researchers Khadrouf,hammoumi,Goumi,and Oukassou integrated 2D and 3D geological-geophysical modeling with geotechnical investigations to characterize the subsurface conditions. This includedโ analyzing soil properties, identifying โขpotential liquefaction zones, and โmapping the distribution of โbedrock. the โขinvestigation focused on understanding โhow local geological features amplify or โdampen ground motion during an earthquake.
The researchโค team utilized various geophysicalโข methods, including seismic refraction and microtremor measurements, to determine shear wave velocity profiles. These profiles are essential for estimatingโค site-specific response spectra, which predict the likely intensity of ground shaking at different frequencies. The results of the study willโค directly inform building codes and land-use planning in Ghabt, ensuring that new construction is designedโ to withstand anticipated seismic โขforces. Theโ study emphasizes the importance โof โฃconsidering local site effects when โฃassessing earthquake risk.
Targetโ Spectral Ratio Method Applied โฃin Algiers,โข Algeria
Separately, a team ledโค by Chibane, โLaouami, Hellel, and Tebbouche published research in Environmental Earth Science (2025) focusing on seismic microzonation of Algiers city using the Target Spectral Ratio (THVSR) method.This technique compares the spectral characteristics ofโค ground motion recorded โฃat different sites to identify areas with โvarying levels of seismic hazard. The study aimed โto refine existing seismic hazardโ assessmentsโค for the Algerian capital.
Theโข researchers analyzed data โฃfrom a network of seismographs strategically positionedโ throughout Algiers.โ By comparing the spectral ratios, they wereโ able to identifyโ zones whereโค ground motion is amplified due to local geological conditions. The resulting microzonation map provides a detailed picture of the city’s seismicโฃ vulnerability, highlighting areas that require stricter building regulations and targeted mitigation measures. โฃThe study โคfound significant variations in seismic response across the โcity, emphasizing the need โfor site-specific assessments.
Implications for Urban Development and Disaster resilience
These studies demonstrate a growingโ commitment to proactive seismic โคriskโฃ management in North Africa. the integration of advancedโข geotechnical investigations and spectral analysis techniques is crucial forโค creating resilient urban environments. Asโค cities continue to grow, it is essential to prioritize seismic microzonation to protect lives and infrastructure. Further research is needed to โrefineโฃ theseโค methods โขand develop more accurate hazard assessments,โ particularly in regions โฃwith โcomplex geological settings.