This is part I of our seismic microzoning study of Delhi, India, metropolitan area, which presents the modeling of the seismicity. The a and b values of Gutenberg–Richter law, the maximum magnitude, M_max, and the predominant focal depths, H, were estimated for a large region (24°–33° North latitude and 72°–82° East longitude), with a grid size of 0.1°. Seven area types of seismic sources are first identified based on a detailed seismotectonic evaluation of the region and, then, their seismic activity parameters are estimated by compiling a comprehensive catalog of 4483 past earthquakes with magnitudes of 2.0 or more between 1720 and 2020.

Seismic microzonation map showing the Uniform Hazard Spectra of Pseudo Relative Velocity (PSV) at 13 periods in the New Delhi metropolitan area, in India, at “rock” soil sites, = 0, for 10% probability of being exceeded during exposure of 50 years.

This study proposed a seismic emergency performance optimization model for infrastructure systems under demand differences. The model considered different seismic intensities, aiming at maximizing the effects of resilience enhancement measures to meet the expected performance of residents within the resource constraints. In addition, the model set the baseline for the optimization results by means of three functionality variables in earthquake scenarios.