Reconnaissance survey and macroseismic intensity estimation of the 26th May 2021 Gisenyi (Rwanda) earthquake (Mw 5.1) as a contribution to the seismic hazard assessment in a volcano-tectonic environment

Francois Hategekimana, Young-Seog Kim, Himanshu Mittal, Fils Vainqueur Byiringiro, Mohammed S. M. Adam, Digne Edmond Rwabuhungu Rwatangabo and Sambit Prasanajit Naik ()
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Francois Hategekimana: GSGR, Pukyong National University
Young-Seog Kim: GSGR, Pukyong National University
Himanshu Mittal: Govt. of India
Fils Vainqueur Byiringiro: University of Rwanda
Mohammed S. M. Adam: GSGR, Pukyong National University
Digne Edmond Rwabuhungu Rwatangabo: University of Rwanda
Sambit Prasanajit Naik: GSGR, Pukyong National University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2024, vol. 120, issue 12, No 26, 11083-11106

Abstract: Abstract On 26th May 2021, an earthquake with a moment magnitude Mw 5.1 hit the densely populated cities of Gisenyi (Rwanda) and Goma (D.R. Congo) which sit on the active East African Rift System. It was one of the largest earthquakes associated with the 2021 Mount Nyiragongo eruption. Although of moderate magnitude, the earthquake substantially damaged manmade structures. This paper presents field observations on the geotechnical impact, building damage, and factors contributing to the heightened destruction caused by this moderate earthquake. The damage pattern observed in the field indicates that masonry structures with inadequate seismic detailing were the most damaged buildings. In addition, the statistical analysis of the damaged buildings indicates most of the damaged structures were located in plains covered by volcanic soil. The intensity of the waves was estimated using the building damage data based on the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98). An intensity distribution map was generated for the surveyed area, suggesting EMS-98 intensity of VIII or IX along the eastern basin boundary fault and VII around the cities of Goma and Gisenyi where the land is composed of black cotton soil of volcanic origin. The higher intensity values along the eastern basin-bounding fault indicate that a reevaluation of the seismic hazard for the region is necessary. Since this is the first-ever such damage survey for the region, the developed intensity map can be used to understand the correlation between the intensity of the ground motion and damage severity which contributed to the seismic hazard assessment of the study area.

Keywords: East African Rift System; Gisenyi (Rwanda); Goma (D.R. Congo); EMS-98; Seismic hazard (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-024-06637-7

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