Earthq Sci (2015) 28(1):87–95

DOI 10.1007/s11589-014-0105-9

RESEARCH PAPER

Ambient noise H/V spectral ratio in site effects estimation in Fateh

jang area, Pakistan
S. M. Talha Qadri • Bushra Nawaz •

S. H. Sajjad • Riaz Ahmad Sheikh

Received: 24 August 2014 / Accepted: 29 December 2014 / Published online: 5 February 2015
Ó The Author(s) 2015. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com

Abstract Local geology or local site effect is a crucial since its origin. Earthquakes are one of those deadliest
component while conducting seismic risk assessment events that change the entire landscape, and they are
studies. Investigations made by utilization of ambient noise associated with tectonic processes. Heavy life losses,
are an effective tool for local site estimation. The present disaster to property, disturbance to the normal life pattern,
study is conducted to perform site response analysis at 13 and termination of the developmental processes of a
different sites within urban settlements of Fateh jang area country or region are some of disastrous impacts of these
(Pakistan). The aim of this study was achieved by utilizing inevitable events (Ram Kumar 2009). There is a need to
Nakamura method or H/V spectral ratio method. Some study and understand the contributing factors in this aspect
important local site parameters, e.g., the fundamental fre- for safety purpose and remedial measures. So earthquake
quencies f0 of soft sediments, amplitudes A0 of corre- disaster prevention/reduction and mitigation strategy is of
sponding H/V spectral ratios, and alluvium thicknesses global concern today.
over 13 sites within the study area, were measured and Local site conditions can significantly enhance the risk
analyzed. The results show that the study area reflects low factor in areas adjacent and remote from the epicenter.
fundamental frequency f0. The fundamental frequencies of Every site exhibits its particular seismic response at which
the sediments are highly variable and lie in a range of ground motion can be amplified. If it coincides or corre-
0.6–13.0 Hz. Similarly, amplification factors at these sites sponds with the fundamental frequencies of manmade
are in the range of 2.0–4.0. infrastructures, then there is great possibility of disaster. In
the recent past, San Francisco earthquake 1989, Mexican
Keywords Local site effect  Ambient noise  H/V earthquake 1995, Los Angeles earthquake 1995 are a few
spectral ratios  Fundamental frequency  Amplification classical examples of amplification of ground motion
factor  Alluvium thickness triggered as a consequence of local site conditions (Ansal
et al. 2004; Slob et al. 2002; Street et al. 2001). In 2001, the
epicenter of Bhuj earthquake was about 400 km away from
1 Introduction Ahmedabad (India), but it was highly affected by earth-
quake because the city was located over the younger
It is quite obvious from the history of human civilization alluvial deposits (Ranjan 2005).
that man has been struggling to defeat the natural disasters The areas located on young unconsolidated sedimentary
deposits experienced greater amplification of ground
motion due to impedance contrast (Hunter et al. 2002).
S. M. Talha Qadri (&)  B. Nawaz  S. H. Sajjad
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sediment thickness and physical properties of the material
Sargodha, Pakistan vary from place to place, which can result in trapping and
e-mail: talhaqadri_uos@hotmail.com amplification of seismic waves during a seismic event
resulting in different resonant frequencies at very small
R. A. Sheikh
College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the distances (Paudyal et al. 2012).This resonance frequency is
Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan very important because it represents the frequency at which

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soft sediments amplify the ground motion caused by a International Airport in the study area, which will be
seismic event. This particular phenomenon is called the site operational by April 2015. This airport is conjectured to be
effect (Paudyal et al. 2012). Due to anisotropic and heter- a contemporary marker structure symbolic representation
ogeneous characteristics of the site soil layer, local site of the twenty-first century, as it will be its political and
conditions are considered more adaptable and compliant trade entrance via the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. The
compared to the path effect (Ren et al. 2013). Natural Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has declared that it is to be
disturbances such as wind, sea tides, or cultural noise such named Gandhara International Airport, and it will be
as industrial and traffic noise produce low-amplitude operational from April 2015. Therefore, Fateh jang area
vibrations. These low-amplitude vibrations are termed the has been selected for the case study keeping in view the
ambient noise. Various researchers have shown that hori- future perspective and its prime significance. As far as the
zontal motion exceeds the vertical motion in soft ground recent deposits are concerned, thick alluvium, along with
(Nakamura 1989). Many scientists such as Chávez-Garcı́a conglomerates, covers most of the study area (Qaisar et al.
et al. (1990, 1996), Bard (1999), Bour et al. (1998) have 2008).
utilized H/V and proven the reliability and credibility of Fateh jang lies in the south of Main Boundary Thrust
this technique. H/V method is a very reliable method for (MBT) which indicates complex folding and faulting
estimating alluvium thickness by means of fundamental (Jaswal 1990). Rocks of Eocene to Paleocene ages have
frequencies of the soft sediments (Morales et al. 1991; been thrust over molasses sediments. Study area reflects
Yamanaka et al. 1994; Parolai et al. 2002; Panou et al. region of deformation during Neogene age situated in the
2005). Contrary to the fundamental frequency f0, amplifi- footwall of MBT (Faisal 2005). These blind thrusts and
cation factor A0 reveals disagreement between opinions imbrications of MBT disappear in overlying Murree for-
and findings of different scientists. Numerous scientists mation (Faisal 2005). Stratigraphic succession of the study
have reached satisfactory correlation, while others failed to area is shown in Fig. 2. Fateh jang is seismically active
do so (Horike et al. 2001). area owing to its location in Himalayan foreland. As far
Fateh jang is a small town situated within the longitu- as seismic zonation map (developed by Pakistan Meteo-
dinal range of 72°380 2600 E–72°500 3700 E and latitudinal rological department) is concerned, Fateh jang lies on the
range of 33°320 700 N–33°400 700 N at a distance of nearly border of zone 2-B and zone 3 (Fig. 1). Therefore, the
50 km from Islamabad (Federal Capital of Pakistan). New study area exhibits moderate level seismicity, and suffered
developmental projects are expected to accelerate as a from significant damage during Mw 5.3 earthquake in
result of ongoing construction of New Islamabad 1993 (Qaisar et al. 2008).

Fig. 1 Seismic zonation map designed by Pakistan Metrological Department and the satellite image representing sites of data acquisition within
study area

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mature enough for the development of oxbow lakes.

Almost the same patterns of drainage system and mean-
dering streams have been observed from Fateh jang areas,
which clearly indicate the presence of soft sediments in
the study area. In the context of the importance of the
study area, the aims of this work are evaluating the local
site effects, and estimating the fundamental frequencies of
soft soil f0 and corresponding H/V amplitude levels A0
utilizing the H/V spectral ratio. It will help us understand
the mechanism of sediment-induced amplifications trig-
gering the disaster and to identify the most hazardous
zone within the study area. The findings of the study will
be beneficial for the town planners as well as for the
policy makers to design the mitigation strategies to
combat the effects of frequent earthquakes with local or
distant epicentral locations.

1.1 H/V method

The H/V method has received worldwide concentration

from all over the world due to its simple methodology
along with its ability to produce quick information about
dynamic characteristics of ground and structures (Nakam-
ura 1989). Another advantage of this technique is the
simplicity in data collection and its implementation in
areas of moderate-to-low seismicity. H/V method is also
called as Nakamura method which was at first introduced
by (Nogoshi and Igarashi 1971) and modified by Nakam-
Fig. 2 Stratigraphic succession of Fateh jang area after Latif (1968) ura. This technique is based on recording of microtremors
and Shah (1977) or ambient noise which is short-period vibration, which
resulting from coastal effects, atmospheric loading, wind
interaction with structure and vegetation, and cultural
Numerous fresh water streams in the Murree Formation sources like traffic, trains, construction, and factories. To
drain into the northern area of Fateh jang. The overall record microtremors, most researchers use only one or a
drainage pattern of the study area (Fig. 3) is medium-to- few seismometers that can measure very weak ground
fine dendritic which represents the homogeneous soft motions. This method proves to be time effective and
material. A medium-to-fine dendritic drainage without any demands fewer instruments compared to requirements in
angularity is freely developed in soft materials, and there is classical geophysical techniques (Nakamura 1989). More-
no control of soft material over development of drainage over, it is a passive technique which can be readily used in
pattern (Way 1973). urban areas. Moreover, Nakamura technique does not
As the substrate of the study area and its surrounding is require any seismic event to occur. Due to wide ranges of
soft and easily erodible, the meanders with variable sin- noise sources, microtremors occur in a wide frequency
uosity develop due to low stream gradient. Meandering range of 0.02–50 Hz, and this makes it possible to explore
streams are the characteristic geomorphic feature of fine- the depths of more than 100 m depending upon the sensi-
grained soft sediments (Plummer et al. 2005). The sinuous tivity of sensor (Horike 1985). Reliability of this technique
curves develop as a result of increase in stream’s velocity is significantly enhanced if we have knowledge of the
on the outside of the curve, and this high velocity erodes sediment thickness or S-velocity structure of subsurface
the material on respective river bank, whereas the (Bard 1999). The microtremors are recorded with three
stream’s velocity is low on the inside, and results in the components that include two orthogonal horizontal com-
deposition of sediments. Usually, sand bars are deposited ponents and one vertical component. A microtremor time
in the form of arcuate ridges of sand. The position of the series recording represents the convolution of (i) source
meanders is not fixed (Plummer et al. 2005). As far as the effects, (ii) propagation effects of source to receiver, (iii)
study area is concerned, the meandering streams are not the effect of the recording instrument, and (iv) the response

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Fig. 3 Satellite image of the dendritic drainage pattern within the study area

of the site. These four factors are multiplied in the fre- 1.2 Datasets and methodology
quency domain, and given certain assumptions; the divi-
sion of horizontal Fourier amplitude spectrum by the H/V method which was modified by Nakamura (1989) is
vertical spectrum can remove the first three effects, thereby one of the most utilized techniques for the analysis of site-
isolating the site response (Molnar et al. 2007). In spite of response analysis these days. This technique makes use of
its limitations, H/V method is a preliminary step toward spectral analysis of ambient noise to illustrate the site
site characteristics’ estimation and microzonation of areas response in urban environment. The H/V spectral ratio is
of interest (Qaisar et al. 2008). based on impedance contrast, which means the presence of

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Table 1 Reliability of frequency peaks/curves on the basis of parameters defined by guidelines modified by SESAME (2004) against each
station
Sr. no Latitude (°N) and Longitude (°E) f0 (Hz) A0 C 2 f0 [ 10/Lw Nw nc = nw 9 Lw nc (f0) [ 200 Comment

1 33.562972, 72.650368 0.6 2.5 0.4 19 475 285 Reliable

2 33.560653, 72.628470 4.6 3.2 0.4 17 425 1,955 Reliable
3 33.565894, 72.638792 0.8 2.1 0.4 13 325 260 Reliable
4 33.5765131, 72.647352 3.0 2.0 0.4 13 325 975 Reliable
5 33.567648, 72.644325 0.7 4.0 0.4 16 400 280 Reliable
6 33.5685572, 72.640754 4.2 2.2 0.4 15 375 1,575 Reliable
7 33.565447, 72.647801 12.0 2.3 0.4 18 450 5,400 Reliable
8 33.5621563, 72.6318812 2.3 2.3 0.4 16 400 920 Reliable
9 33.560923, 72.637180 3.1 2.9 0.4 13 325 1,007.5 Reliable
10 33.571751, 72.651999 13.0 2.3 0.4 12 300 3,900 Reliable
11 33.5772997, 72.6551628 3.4 3.3 0.4 16 400 1,360 Reliable
12 33.557069, 72.635061 5.1 2.8 0.4 13 325 1,657.5 Reliable
13 33.560362, 72.642386 6.6 2.6 0.4 17 425 2,805 Reliable

Table 2 Tabular display of 13 sites of data acquisition along with corresponding fundamental frequencies f0, amplification factors A0, and
alluvium thicknesses H
Serial no Latitudes and Longitudes Fundamental frequency H/V amplitude Approx. thickness of alluvium H(m)
f0 (Hz) (A0) = 108 f-1.551
0 (Parolai formula)

1 33.562972, 72.650368 0.6 2.5 238.5

2 33.560653, 72.628470 4.6 3.2 10.1
3 33.565894, 72.638792 0.8 2.1 152.7
4 33.5765131,72.647352 3.0 2.0 19.6
5 33.567648, 72.644325 0.7 4.0 187.8
6 33.5685572, 72.640754 4.2 2.2 11.7
7 33.565447, 72.647801 12.0 2.3 2.3
8 33.5621563,72.6318812 2.3 2.3 29.7
9 33.560923, 72.637180 3.1 2.9 18.7
10 33.571751, 72.651999 13.0 2.3 2.02
11 33.5772997, 72.6551628 3.4 3.3 16.2
12 33.557069, 72.635061 5.1 2.8 8.63
13 33.560362, 72.642386 6.6 2.6 5.8

overlying of soft sediments on a harder bed rock. The and processing steps to check the reliability of ambient
present study was conducted by acquiring ambient noise noise data. Some of the conditions for data reliability such
data at 13 different data points (Fig. 1) by means of CMG- as f0 [ 10/Iw, nc (f0) [ 200 (where nc = nw 9 Iw) and
40T broad-based seismometer. Acquired data were dis- A0 C 2 were checked keeping in view the guidelines from
played on the receiver (laptop) by means of the software SESAME (2004). These data reliability parameters are
termed ‘‘SCREAM’’ which played an efficient role in shown in Table 1. On the basis of information presented in
acquiring, viewing, recording, transmitting, and replaying Table 1, acquired data appear reliable. Although sampling
the GCF data received through any Guralp seismometer. rate of 50 Hz is sufficient for geotechnical purpose, sam-
Recorded ambient noise was inspected to check erroneous pling rate of 100 Hz was yet used to record the maximum
measurement by displaying and viewing GCF files of number of types of ambient noise during data acquisition
ambient noise data on SCREAM software. Guidelines from (SESAME 2004). In order to develop good soil/sensor
SESAME (2004) were considered during data acquisition coupling, seismometer was directly installed on the ground

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Fig. 4 Interpolated map representing a alluvium thickness distribution H in meter; b fundamental frequency f0 in Hz; c amplification factor A0

using spikes on the base of seismometer. With a sampling control (AGC), and instrumental effects were removed
rate of 100 Hz, a continuous recording of ambient noise for using DC suppression. These processing steps were carried
10–20 min was conducted keeping the studies of different under the guidelines provided in the manual of Geopsy
scientists in view (Ohta et al. 1978). Software ‘‘Geopsy’’ software (can be seen at www.geopsy.org). Next step is to
played a vital role during ambient noise data processing. compute H/V in each window by integrating the horizontal
Each recording was then split into a 25-s window through (north–south, east–west) components with a quadratic
short-term average (STA)/long-term average (LTA) anti- mean. Finally, H/V is averaged over all selected windows.
trigger. A value of 2 s was selected for STA, while a value H/V curves in Fig. 5 indicate the average H/V curve (black
of 30 s for LTA with low and high thresholds of 0.2 and line), the H/V amplitude A0 standard deviation curves
2.5, respectively. While processing ambient noise data, (dashed lines), and the peak frequency standard deviation
Cosine taper is applied at both ends of the selected signal domains (the two vertical gray areas). The peak frequency
window to overcome the sudden and unexpected discon- is the value at the limit between the two gray areas. IDW
tinuities which can affect the Fourier Spectrum (Chatelain method (Inverse Distance Weighted method) of interpola-
and Guillier 2013). Fourier amplitude spectra were tion was also applied on datasets by means of the software
smoothed by applying Konno–Ohmachi algorithm along Arc GIS. Interpolation was applied to identify the spatial
with the Cosine taper (width = 0.25 %) and smoothing extent of fundamental frequency f0 and the alluvium
constant with a value of 40.00 (Konno and Ohmachi 1998). thickness H datasets within the study area as shown in
Weak signals were improved by means of automatic gain Table 2.

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Fig. 5 Amplitudes of H/V spectral ratios as a function of fundamental frequencies

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2 Results (A0) amplification factor is concerned, a disagreement is

observed while establishing its correlation with funda-
Local site conditions contribute significantly to ground mental frequency f0. This result was again in agreement
motion characteristics and seismic behavior of infrastructures with the studies of many researchers and scientists (e.g.,
(Ruizhi et al. 2011). Natural frequencies of the sediments (x- Field and Jacob 1995; Lachet et al. 1996).
axis) and amplification factors A0 or H/V amplitudes (y-axis)
are plotted for all the 13 sites as shown in Fig. 2. The gray area
represents the averaged peak frequency and its standard 3 Discussion and conclusions
deviation. The frequency value is at the limit between the dark
gray and light gray areas. The variegated colored lines are the Local site effects such as fundamental frequency f0,
H/V curves coming from each time window. The black plain amplification factor A0, and thickness of soft sediments
line is the H/V average curve coming from individual time over bedrock H were estimated at 13 sites of Fateh jang
window H/V curves, and the discontinuous lines are the area using the H/V spectral method. CMG-40T seismom-
standard deviations. H/V curves reflect different patterns such eter was used to record ambient noise. The measurement of
as single peak curve, multiple peak curves, and broad curves. these local site effects was highly significant to assess the
Fundamental frequencies f0 of soft sediments lying over the seismic risk in the study area. The study area reflects a high
bedrock were recorded at 13 different sites within the study variability in terms of fundamental frequency f0 and allu-
area. IDW method is also applied to conduct interpolation of vium thickness H. Overall results reflect low values of
the fundamental frequencies f0, which identifies the zones of fundamental frequency (f0) and corresponding greater
the highest, the intermediate, and the lowest frequencies values of alluvium thickness (H), thus indicating a greater
(Fig. 4). The study area has been divided into three different seismic risk triggered by soil amplification in the study
ranges in terms of fundamental frequency f0, i.e., the zone 1 area. The findings of the study showed complete agreement
with f0 ranging from 0 to 4.0 Hz (lowest f0), the zone 2 with f0 with the research studies conducted by Field and Jacob
ranging between 4 and 8.0 Hz (intermediate f0), and the zone 3 (1995), Lachet et al. (1996), Parolai et al. (2002), and
with f0 greater than 8.0 Hz (highest f0). The zone comprising Panou et al. (2005), (Bala et al. 2007a, b).
the highest frequency value is shown by dark gray shade, The first indispensable step toward seismic hazard’s
while light gray shade represents the lowest-frequency zone. mitigation is the seismic risk assessment. The findings of the
Zone of intermediate frequency is allotted a color in between study are highly useful for the policy makers and disaster
dark and light gray in the interpolated map (Fig. 4). The management authorities to devise the mitigation strategies in
maximum value for fundamental frequency f0 was 13.0 in the order to combat the effects of this natural hazard.
study area, while the lowest value of fundamental frequency
Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the
was 0.6 Hz. According to the results, it is quite evident that Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, dis-
depth to bedrock is extremely variable throughout the study tribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original
area ranging between 2.02 and 238.5 meters. Thickness of author(s) and the source are credited.
alluvium was derived from mathematical formula H = 108
f-1.551
0 (Parolai et al. 2002). These results were also interpo-
lated to check the spatial extent of alluvium thickness (H) in
the study area by using Arc GIS (Fig. 4). Alluvium thick- References
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