The Jabalpur Earthquake of May 22, 1997

The Jabalpur earthquake of magnitude 5.8 occurred on May 22, 1997 along seismically active Narmada-Son Lineament (NSL) in central India, with its epicenter about 30 km southeast of Jabalpur. A maximum intensity I_o = VIII on MM scale was observed in Jabalpur and surrounding region. The isoseismal map prepared for this earthquake shows NE-SW trend which in general agrees with the focal mechanism solution indicating thrust faulting along a ENE-WSW fault with minor strike-slip component. Several ground cracks mapped in meizoseismal area show a dominant N75° E trend. The damage pattern of the constructions clearly shows a strong correlation with lithology, structures and soil cover of the area. There are no foreshocks reported for this earthquake and only a few aftershocks are recorded. which warrant a close monitoring of this region.