Abstract
The capital of Balochistan province Quetta is surrounded by mountain ranges with many active seismic faults. The province is subjected to many earthquakes in the past including the deadliest earthquake of 1935. The objective of this paper is to carry out earthquake risk assessment of Quetta city using multi-criteria analysis. For the purpose, the primary data was collected from 400 households using stratified random sampling technique with proportionate allocation and secondary data from USGS and Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. SPSS, GIS and Arc-GIS were used to generate the vulnerability, hazard and risk maps applying analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and weighted linear combination (WLC) methods. The results reveal that Quetta is highly vulnerable to earthquake risk in the future; its geology coupled with the human dimension indicates indicate that impacts would be more disastrous in future events. Results of the final earthquake risk map shows that five out of thirteen Zones (Hazargunji, Quetta East, Kharot Abad, Samungli, and Quetta North) are at high risk. Four Zones (Centrum of Quetta, Pashtoon Abad, Saryab, and Hazara Town) are at medium risk. Only three Zones (Quetta Cantt, Satellite Town, and Jinnah Town) are at low risk. The proposed risk map of Quetta city may be used for risk communication, decision making, land use planning and development of critical infrastructure. The paper further recommends the map to be utilized as guide for emergency response systems, and develop mitigation plans including enforcement of building codes, improve emergency response activates and educate people on earthquake preparedness.