Analyzing the Level of Vulnerability of Bojnourd City’s Spatio-Physical Texture against the Natural Hazards (with special reference on earthquake)

As we know Iran plateau region is located in earthquake-prone. Quick look at Iran’s history shows that it has been faced with an earthquake repeatedly. Essentially, humanitarian damages of earthquake in our country are significantly high in compare with developed countries. The cause of earthquake damages regardless of providence is based upon mainly natural and geographical conditions, the quality of selecting residence place, type of house and family preparedness before the occurrence of hazard and lack of planning and proper measures after the earthquake. Earthquakes that occur in Iran usually shallow or with normal deep, about 32 km, and rarely earthquake occurred with more than 50 km depth. Since such earthquake’s depth is low, often causes more damages. North Khorasan province also is not excepted, especially based on tectonic and earth structure, several faults created variety of risks in this area. Since Bojnourd city is surrounded by several faults in the surrounding of it is as one of the important zones for proper planning to reduce the damages caused by natural disasters, especially earthquake. Therefore, the level of vulnerability of this city against the natural disasters is investigated.