In the absence of an array of strong motion records, numerical and empirical
methods are used to estimate the ground motion during 25th April 2015 Nepal earthquake.
Spectral finite element method is used to simulate low frequency displacements. First, the
simulated ground displacement is compared with the recorded data at Kathmandu. The
good agreement between the comparisons validates the input source and medium parameters.
The spatial variation of ground displacement is depicted through peak ground displacement
and Ground residual displacement (GRD) contours near the epicentral region.
The maximum GRD is of the order of 0.6 m in east–west, 1.8 m in north–south and 0.6 m
in vertical (Z) direction respectively. Stochastic finite fault seismological model is used to
simulate acceleration time histories. First, the seismological model is calibrated for the
region with the available strong ground motion records at Kathmandu. The estimated stress
drop for main-event and aftershocks lie in between 50 and 95 bars. Acceleration time
histories are simulated at several stations near the epicentral region. Peak ground acceleration
(PGA) and spectral acceleration (Sa) contour maps are provided