Using GIS and AHP method in Earthquake hazard zoning in Kerman Province

The Kerman province is considered one of the most seismically active zones of Iran, which its frequent past earthquakes have inflicted thousands of deaths and many economic losses. Therefore, the seismic hazard zoning of this province is an essential issue. So, this research was conducted for preparing seismic hazard zoning map in Kerman Province using GIS. Several criteria such as active faults, historical and instrumental earthquakes, geomorphology, basement material, active tectonics and also their sub-criteria, which are effective in seismic hazard zoning, have been selected and evaluated. Then, data layers were weighted using AHP method by group decision making via Arc GIS and Expert choice software. Finally, the data layers were overlapped in ArcGIS based on AHP method. Different zones of the province which have been categorized of earthquake hazard, from the maximum (northeast of Kerman and Jiroft-Sabzevaran area), moderate (southeast and northwest of Kerman) to the minimum (Lut and Jazmurian) potential hazards were distinguished in the hazard zoning map. Final map was compared with past researches and seismic data which represent high accuracy of final map.