Analysis of HVSR Data by applying Modified Centroid-Based K-means Algorithm: A case study from Karim Abad, Hunza, Northern Pakistan

Sarfraz Khan; Ghazanfar Ali Khattak; Muhammad Hanzala

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Analysis of HVSR Data by applying Modified Centroid-Based K-means Algorithm: A case study from Karim Abad, Hunza, Northern Pakistan

Author(s)

Sarfraz Khan National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar,Peshawar 25130, KP,Pakistan

Ghazanfar Ali Khattak National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar,Peshawar , KP,Pakistan

Muhammad Hanzala National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar,Peshawar , KP,Pakistan

Abstract

The Nakamura Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) technique for site characterization has seen increased use in many studies to obtain seismo-stratigraphic information on similar subsoil. However, similar HVSR peaks of stratigraphic origin still have a subjective element in identifying the true peak. In this study, a modified non-hierarchical centroid-based algorithm is applied to the acquired HVSR data to produce micro-hazard zone maps of the northern Hunza region of Pakistan. The results reveal that the fundamental frequency fo and soil amplification range from 1.1 to 3.5 Hz and 1.03 to 5.14 mm, respectively. These site-specific parameters indicate moderate to high vulnerability of the soil to a catastrophic earthquake event of maximum 5.5 M from the surroundings (especially the HinduKush region). Centroid-based K-means clustering also yields two groups through the interpretation of HVSR data (fundamental frequency and soil amplification). Cluster validity tests were applied to assess the quality of the cluster solution. These results present the similarities and dissimilarities among different soils in relation to similar or dissimilar vulnerability characteristics. The final maps have been generated in ArcGIS by integrating the results of cluster analysis and the interpretation of HVSR data. The maps indicate that the southeastern and southwestern sites have a high risk of earthquake damage to structures due to high amplification

Publication Details

Page(s) 1-92

DOI DOI not available

Published Journal: Book of Abstracts: 8th International Conference "Earth Sciences Pakistan 2026" (ESP-2026), June 12-14, 2026, Volume: 1, Issue: 1, Year: 2026

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Keywords

Seismic microzonation, HVSR, Site characterization, K-means Clustering, Hunza region

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