Evidence of Right Lateral Strike-slip Active Fault in Kangra Valley, NW Himalaya, India

Kangra valley located in Himachal Pradesh, NW Himalaya falls under meizoseismal zone of 1905 Kangra earthquake (Mw=7.8). Till date no surface rupture has been reported, however few studies suggest that probable rupture along Jawalamukhi Thrust (JMT) located at south of Kangra valley. In present study we report newly identified right lateral strike-slip active fault trace striking WNW-ESE, named as 'Kangra Valley Fault'. The fault has displaced young alluvial fan surface and fluvial terrace in Kangra Valley. High resolution CARTOSAT - 1 data and CORONA photo interpretation revealed prominent offset of streams, alluvial fan surfaces and fluvial terraces. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey and trenches excavated across 1 m high fault scarp also revealed occurrence of paleo-earthquake during recent historic period. We have been able to trace this fault for a distance of ~40 km. Further result will play a vital role towards seismic hazard evaluation of this area.