The Need for Seismic Risk and Vulnerability Assessment in Kuwait and Other Arabian Gulf Countries PDF

Keywords

Arabian Gulf, Kuwait, Earthquakes, Paleoliquifaction, Seismic vulnerability, Zagros, Tsunami.

Abstract

Strong seismic events along the seismically active Zagros Fold Belt can have damaging effects in Kuwait and other Arabian Gulf countries. A comprehensive seismic risk and vulnerability assessment of infrastructure systems, in particular tall structures and coastal facilities is needed. Evidence is presented which indicates a potential threat from large-magnitude earthquakes originating from the southern part of Zagros, at moderate epicentral distances from Arabian Gulf cities. Observations of seismic paleo-liquefaction features in the Gal-Az-Zor escarpment (Kuwait) are presented and discussed. The historical record of Iranian earthquakes that have caused significant ground motion in the Gulf region is examined, as well as reports of coastal damage from tsunamis. There are specific tasks that give validity to having a Regional Center for Risk Research in the Arabian Gulf countries.