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145-5 Soil Liquefaction Risk in Dhaka, Bangladesh During Large Earthquakes

Session: Dynamics of Natural and Built Environments (Posters)

Poster Booth No.: 48

Presenting Author:

Md Hasnat Jaman

Authors:

Jaman, Md Hasnat¹, Uddin, Ashraf², Steckler, Michael³, Boston, Brian⁴

(1) Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, NY, NY, USA; Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA, (2) Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA, (3) Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, Palisades, NY, USA, (4) Auburn University, Department of Geosciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA,

Abstract:

Bangladesh has experienced several strong earthquakes in the past, highlighting the importance of studying the risk of soil liquefaction, especially in the capital city, Dhaka. This study assesses the likelihood of liquefaction during two potential earthquake scenarios (Mw 7.0 and 7.5) under both dry and wet seasonal conditions. The analysis focuses on three geological zones in Dhaka: (1) Madhupur Terrace, (2) Marsh and Artificial Fill, and (3) Holocene Floodplains.

We used Standard Penetration Test (SPT) data from 26 boreholes to estimate liquefaction probabilities. For an Mw 7.0 earthquake during the dry season, the likelihood of liquefaction is 68% in Zone 1, 80% in Zone 2, and 88% in Zone 3. These probabilities increase during the wet season to 90%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. For an Mw 7.5 earthquake, the risk rises to 79%, 98%, and 90% in the dry season, and to 99% and 100% in the wet season. This demonstrates that both stronger earthquakes and higher groundwater levels significantly increase the chance of liquefaction.

X-ray diffraction analysis also revealed that Illite, Kaolinite, and Chlorite are common clay minerals at different depths, with Smectite found in Banani, which could influence liquefaction behavior. A spatial analysis using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) indicates that several areas, such as Uttara, Turag, Pallabi, Darus Salam, Kafrul, Tejgaon, Rampura, Motijheel, and Demra, are at higher risk. The number of people potentially affected ranges from 3.6 million (Mw 7.0, dry season) to nearly 14 million (Mw 7.5, wet season). These findings emphasize the importance of careful urban planning and disaster preparedness in Dhaka.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-11044

Soil Liquefaction Risk in Dhaka, Bangladesh During Large Earthquakes

Description

Session Format: Poster

Presentation Date: 10/20/2025

Presentation Room: HBGCC, Hall 1

Poster Booth No.: 48

Author Availability: 3:30–5:30 p.m.

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