Abstract
Karewas occur within the seismically active Kashmir Valley. Natural seismograms in the form of seismites exist within the Karewa sediments. Seismites were identified and characterized to know their genesis. The magnitude of the paleoearthquakes were ranging from 6.0 to 7.4 with paleointensity I (sub O) =8.5. LSI values computed for the paleomagnitudes were ranging from 16 to 63 mm. PGA computed for the paleoearthquakes were ranging from 0.18 g to 0.77 g using cyclic stress method. PGA computed for the simulated historical and instrumental earthquakes using GMPE were of the order of 1.11 g, 0.86 g and 0.83 g. FS, V (sub S) and D (sub r) values indicate that the sediments of the source stratum near the paleoliquefaction sites are still liquefiable and have retained their liquefaction potential since Early Pleistocene. FS values of the paleoearthquakes indicate that the geological conditions were appropriate to liquefy sediments as FS=1 and are still susceptible to liquefaction as advocated by the FS values of the simulated historical and instrumental earthquakes. Empirical relationships that account for the age of soil deposits show significant influence on PGA values of the paleoearthquakes and no effect on FS values of the paleoearthquakes as FS=1. However, significant influence was observed on FS values of the historical and instrumental earthquakes.