India Seismic Zone Map — IS 1893 (Part 1):2016
Search any of 197+ Indian cities or click anywhere on the map to see its seismic zone (II–V), Z factor, and IS 1893 / IS 13920 design implications. Source: IS 1893 (Part 1):2016 Annex E with overrides for Kutch (Zone V), north Bihar (Zone V), and other cities where the regional zone differs from the state default.
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About IS 1893 zones
IS 1893 (Part 1):2016 divides India into four seismic zones (II–V) based on historical seismic activity, geological evidence, and tectonic setting. Annex E was last revised in the 2016 edition; the 2002 edition removed the old Zone I, merging it with Zone II.
The Z factor feeds the base shear in IS 1893 Cl. 7.5.3: V_B = A_h × W where A_h = (Z/2) × (I/R) × (Sa/g). Z directly scales design lateral force — moving from Zone II to Zone V increases base shear 3.6×.
Practical design checks by zone
- Zone II (Z = 0.10): IS 13920 recommended for > G+3 or important occupancies.
- Zone III (Z = 0.16): IS 13920 mandatory for all RCC MRFs. Soft-storey precautions per Cl. 7.10.
- Zone IV (Z = 0.24): I = 1.5 for hospitals / schools / fire / lifelines. Time-period limits per Cl. 7.6.
- Zone V (Z = 0.36): Highest design forces. Soft-storey design with stiffness factor 2.5×. Time-history analysis recommended for tall buildings.
Related
IS 1893 (Part 1):2016 — Earthquake Resistant Design · IS 13920:2016 — Ductile Detailing of RCC Structures · Handbook: Seismic Zones reference card · Article: Earthquake Zones India
Frequently asked questions
What is the seismic zone of Mumbai?
Mumbai is in Seismic Zone III per IS 1893 (Part 1):2016, with Z = 0.16. Ductile detailing per IS 13920 is mandatory for all RCC moment-resisting frames.
What is the seismic zone of Delhi?
Delhi is in Seismic Zone IV (high risk) per IS 1893:2016, with Z = 0.24. Importance factor I = 1.5 applies to hospitals, schools, and lifeline structures.
Which areas of India are in Zone V (highest seismic risk)?
Zone V covers Kashmir Valley, the Kutch region of Gujarat (Bhuj, Anjar, Gandhidham), all Northeast states (Arunachal, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura), parts of north Bihar, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Z = 0.36.
What is the Z factor in IS 1893?
The Z factor is the maximum considered earthquake (MCE) effective peak ground acceleration as a fraction of g, at the 5%-damping spectrum at period 0. Values: Zone II = 0.10, Zone III = 0.16, Zone IV = 0.24, Zone V = 0.36. Used in base shear: Ah = (Z/2)(I/R)(Sa/g).
Why is Kutch in Zone V if the rest of Gujarat is Zone III?
Kutch sits on the Allah Bund fault zone, which produced the 1819 Allah Bund earthquake (M ~7.7) and the 2001 Bhuj earthquake (M 7.7). IS 1893 Annex E classifies Bhuj, Anjar, Gandhidham and surrounding areas as Zone V.
Zone classifications follow IS 1893 (Part 1):2016 Annex E. For micro-zoned cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai), refer to local micro-zonation studies for site-specific seismic hazard assessment. Reference only — final design decisions should rely on the published standard and a qualified structural engineer.