Bashir Ahmad - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Bashir Ahmad
International Journal
Geographical Information Systems or Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) is a collection of tools... more Geographical Information Systems or Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) is a collection of tools that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to geographical locations. GIS plays an essential role in wide range of areas and is extensively adopted nowadays. In the simplest terms, GIS is the merging of cartography, statistical analysis, hardware, software and data. GIS is commonly used as a supporting system for making best possible decisions through spatial and non-spatial data relations, visualization and processing. GIS is beneficial and works well when made available to as many people as possible everywhere and anytime at the expense of very less resources in terms of technology and expenditure. Over a few decades efforts are being made to upgrade the conventional GIS applications in order to provide broad spectrum services to the users across the globe. 'Cloud computing', a term which has become popular in recent years, has been described as "the next natural step in the evolution of on-demand information technology services and products". Cloud Computing can be applied to solve and overcome the challenges in GIS applications. This paper presents a brief evaluation of Cloud Computing approach to GIS and proposes a multi-tiered architecture for GIS Cloud System.
Geomorphology, 2015
Geomorphology has long been recognised as a key to evaluate the interplay between tectonics and l... more Geomorphology has long been recognised as a key to evaluate the interplay between tectonics and landscape geometry in the regions of active deformation. We use geomorphic signatures at varied spatial scales interpreted from SRTM-DEM/Landsat-ETM data, supplemented with field observations to review the tectonic evolution of Kashmir basin in northwest Himalayas. Geomorphic evidence is persuasive of a credible NNW-SSE trending dextral strike-slip structure (central Kashmir fault-CKF), with the strike length of ~165 km, stretched centrally over the NNW-SSE length of the Kashmir basin. As a result of the strike-slip motion and subsequent erosion, significant deformation has taken place along the CKF. In addition, broad geomorphic architecture of the basin reveals typical pull-apart characteristics. Hence, we deduce that the Kashmir basin has evolved as a pull-apart Quaternary sediment depression owing to the deformation along the central Kashmir fault. The spatial distribution pattern of seismic events (NEICcatalogue, 1973-2013) and GPS measurements (published), collectively substantiate our geomorphic interpretations.
International Journal of Computer Applications, 2010
Geomorphology, 2016
This research article provides added evidence in support of the already presented tectonic evolut... more This research article provides added evidence in support of the already presented tectonic evolution model of the Kashmir basin by Alam et al. (2015), which states that the local dextral strike-slip structure, embedded with the southern forefront thrust system (MBT/MCT), resulted in the development of the NNW-SSE-oriented elliptical pull-apart sedimentary trough (Kashmir basin). Simultaneously, we respond to the argument of Shah (2015), wherein the author expresses his concern about the tectonic evolution model proposed by Alam et al. (2015). The commentator (Shah, 2015)-merely based on assumptions (1: perfectly planar geometry of the central Kashmir fault-CKF; 2: pure strike-slip along the CKF) and misinterpretations of the data (tectonic, geologic, structural, seismic, geodetic, and geomorphic)-makes extraneous criticism throughout the length of his commentary by referring copied text/figures. However, Alam et al. (2015) projected the CKF as noticeably curvilinear major exhibiting complex strike-slip tectonics (dextral, lateral, and vertical motion). Moreover, contradictory to the claim of Shah (2015), the tectonic, geologic, structural, seismic, geodetic, and geomorphic data is in complete agreement with the model proposed by Alam et al. (2015). Hence, in addition to complimentary evidence for the dextral strikeslip, pull-apart evolution of the Kashmir basin, a detailed response is provided to the commentary of Shah (2015).
Journal of Flood Risk Management, 2018
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2017
Since its inception, Kashmir Valley has been characterized by intense seismicity that has left a ... more Since its inception, Kashmir Valley has been characterized by intense seismicity that has left a strong imprint on the country's landscape, heritage and traditions. In fact, its architectural heritage is largely shaped by the interrelationship of the natural with the human and of the physical with the social. Beginning with classical stone architecture during the first millennium, followed by a period of building with wood, Kashmir finally witnessed vernacular (mixed mode) architecture in the form of Taqq and Deji-i-Dewari from the last two centuries. Taqq and Dhajji-Dewari architecture reflects seismic risk reduction to earthquake threat through the use of timber-braced frame with masonry infill. Sporadic occurrence of earthquakes in Kashmir over the centuries led Kashmir society to learn that to fight earthquakes we ought to know them: how they cause damage, where they occur repeatedly and more importantly how to minimize the seismic risk. This seismic risk reduction was necessitated by available technology, resource use option and risk management strategies. Even the dialectics often reflects how the people were influenced by the seismicity of the region they lived in.
ABSTRACT Kashmir has a long written history of 5000 years, which provides a sketchy picture of hi... more ABSTRACT Kashmir has a long written history of 5000 years, which provides a sketchy picture of historical earthquakes. In all, we collated details of 16 earthquakes from the historical scribes. Most of the earthquakes had their epicenters outside the Kashmir Valley. The exceptions (earthquakes with epicenters within the valley), however, caused severe damage to life and properties and were associated with ground ruptures and long periods of aftershocks. Among them, only the 1885 event is adequately described. We have analyzed environmental effects of this destructive earthquake which occurred in the northwestern Kashmir Himalaya along Pir Panjal range in the early morning (5.00 a.m) of 30 May, 1885. Using archival sources followed by field work, the present attempt envisages applying the Environmental Seismic Intensity scale (ESI 2007) for a macroseismic intensity assessment of the 1885 Baramulla Earthquake. Inferences (primary and secondary) reveal that the 1885 Baramulla earthquake local intensity would have been VI–X on the ESI scale. Baramulla, the macroseismic epicenter of the earthquake, must have witnessed epicentral intensity of X on ESI scale. The intensity must have been variable, severe at Baramulla and less at Srinagar, because of the severity of damage decreased from NW to SE.
Geomorphology, 2015
The Balapur fault (BF) is a high angle thrust fault (reverse), dipping~60°NE, with an established... more The Balapur fault (BF) is a high angle thrust fault (reverse), dipping~60°NE, with an established length of~40 km striking NW-SE of the Kashmir basin. However, geomorphic traces suggest that the strike of the BF propagates beyond what has been documented previously. The present investigation aims to identify the unrecognized segment of the BF in the SW of the Kashmir basin using hypsometric variability in longitudinal profiles (knickpoints/ zones), followed by validation through stream gradient index (SL) calculations of the rivers draining the area. The longitudinal profiles of all the streams indicate prominent and consistent anomalies in the upper and midreaches even on the coarse resolution data (Survey of India topographic maps-1:50,000/40 m, DEM-SRTM 90 m). The profile anomalies in the upper reaches (hard rock zone) of the streams may be attributed to lithological contacts, i.e., Panjal trap agglomeratic slate-shale-limestone. However, the river profile convex segments and course deflection specifically in the mid-reaches (soft rock zone) are most likely associated with recent tectonic activity. Geomorphic signatures suggest that these anomalies coincide with the strike of the recognized segment of the BF. Moreover, the SL values of each stream express a clear agreement with the anomalies shown by the long profiles of the rivers. Hence, we infer that the strike of the BF extends for a significant distance (~95 km) over the northeastern flank of the Pir Panjal range in the NW-SE direction.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2021
Disaster scenarios are constructed by integrating natural hazard phenomena and social science sou... more Disaster scenarios are constructed by integrating natural hazard phenomena and social science sources of information. We profiled 51 natural hazard events of nineteenth century Kashmir that provide insights into the impacts of varying degree of severity that spread through the socioeconomic and political systems, influenced adaptation, and increased the consequences of the resulting disasters. The root cause of these disasters was embedded in the social, natural, and political economic systems of their time, where vulnerabilities overlapped and interacted periodically with successive colonial regimes and acted as tipping points. The combined effect of successive colonial regimes, inept administration, rigid political economy, and natural hazards made the situation go from bad to worse and reduced Kashmir to the depths of distress and subjugation. Over the arc of the nineteenth century, a series of disasters led the Kashmiri population to learn how to live with disasters and minimize...
Seismological Research Letters, 2015
Geomorphology, 2015
ABSTRACT
International Journal
Geographical Information Systems or Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) is a collection of tools... more Geographical Information Systems or Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) is a collection of tools that captures, stores, analyzes, manages, and presents data that are linked to geographical locations. GIS plays an essential role in wide range of areas and is extensively adopted nowadays. In the simplest terms, GIS is the merging of cartography, statistical analysis, hardware, software and data. GIS is commonly used as a supporting system for making best possible decisions through spatial and non-spatial data relations, visualization and processing. GIS is beneficial and works well when made available to as many people as possible everywhere and anytime at the expense of very less resources in terms of technology and expenditure. Over a few decades efforts are being made to upgrade the conventional GIS applications in order to provide broad spectrum services to the users across the globe. 'Cloud computing', a term which has become popular in recent years, has been described as "the next natural step in the evolution of on-demand information technology services and products". Cloud Computing can be applied to solve and overcome the challenges in GIS applications. This paper presents a brief evaluation of Cloud Computing approach to GIS and proposes a multi-tiered architecture for GIS Cloud System.
Geomorphology, 2015
Geomorphology has long been recognised as a key to evaluate the interplay between tectonics and l... more Geomorphology has long been recognised as a key to evaluate the interplay between tectonics and landscape geometry in the regions of active deformation. We use geomorphic signatures at varied spatial scales interpreted from SRTM-DEM/Landsat-ETM data, supplemented with field observations to review the tectonic evolution of Kashmir basin in northwest Himalayas. Geomorphic evidence is persuasive of a credible NNW-SSE trending dextral strike-slip structure (central Kashmir fault-CKF), with the strike length of ~165 km, stretched centrally over the NNW-SSE length of the Kashmir basin. As a result of the strike-slip motion and subsequent erosion, significant deformation has taken place along the CKF. In addition, broad geomorphic architecture of the basin reveals typical pull-apart characteristics. Hence, we deduce that the Kashmir basin has evolved as a pull-apart Quaternary sediment depression owing to the deformation along the central Kashmir fault. The spatial distribution pattern of seismic events (NEICcatalogue, 1973-2013) and GPS measurements (published), collectively substantiate our geomorphic interpretations.
International Journal of Computer Applications, 2010
Geomorphology, 2016
This research article provides added evidence in support of the already presented tectonic evolut... more This research article provides added evidence in support of the already presented tectonic evolution model of the Kashmir basin by Alam et al. (2015), which states that the local dextral strike-slip structure, embedded with the southern forefront thrust system (MBT/MCT), resulted in the development of the NNW-SSE-oriented elliptical pull-apart sedimentary trough (Kashmir basin). Simultaneously, we respond to the argument of Shah (2015), wherein the author expresses his concern about the tectonic evolution model proposed by Alam et al. (2015). The commentator (Shah, 2015)-merely based on assumptions (1: perfectly planar geometry of the central Kashmir fault-CKF; 2: pure strike-slip along the CKF) and misinterpretations of the data (tectonic, geologic, structural, seismic, geodetic, and geomorphic)-makes extraneous criticism throughout the length of his commentary by referring copied text/figures. However, Alam et al. (2015) projected the CKF as noticeably curvilinear major exhibiting complex strike-slip tectonics (dextral, lateral, and vertical motion). Moreover, contradictory to the claim of Shah (2015), the tectonic, geologic, structural, seismic, geodetic, and geomorphic data is in complete agreement with the model proposed by Alam et al. (2015). Hence, in addition to complimentary evidence for the dextral strikeslip, pull-apart evolution of the Kashmir basin, a detailed response is provided to the commentary of Shah (2015).
Journal of Flood Risk Management, 2018
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2017
Since its inception, Kashmir Valley has been characterized by intense seismicity that has left a ... more Since its inception, Kashmir Valley has been characterized by intense seismicity that has left a strong imprint on the country's landscape, heritage and traditions. In fact, its architectural heritage is largely shaped by the interrelationship of the natural with the human and of the physical with the social. Beginning with classical stone architecture during the first millennium, followed by a period of building with wood, Kashmir finally witnessed vernacular (mixed mode) architecture in the form of Taqq and Deji-i-Dewari from the last two centuries. Taqq and Dhajji-Dewari architecture reflects seismic risk reduction to earthquake threat through the use of timber-braced frame with masonry infill. Sporadic occurrence of earthquakes in Kashmir over the centuries led Kashmir society to learn that to fight earthquakes we ought to know them: how they cause damage, where they occur repeatedly and more importantly how to minimize the seismic risk. This seismic risk reduction was necessitated by available technology, resource use option and risk management strategies. Even the dialectics often reflects how the people were influenced by the seismicity of the region they lived in.
ABSTRACT Kashmir has a long written history of 5000 years, which provides a sketchy picture of hi... more ABSTRACT Kashmir has a long written history of 5000 years, which provides a sketchy picture of historical earthquakes. In all, we collated details of 16 earthquakes from the historical scribes. Most of the earthquakes had their epicenters outside the Kashmir Valley. The exceptions (earthquakes with epicenters within the valley), however, caused severe damage to life and properties and were associated with ground ruptures and long periods of aftershocks. Among them, only the 1885 event is adequately described. We have analyzed environmental effects of this destructive earthquake which occurred in the northwestern Kashmir Himalaya along Pir Panjal range in the early morning (5.00 a.m) of 30 May, 1885. Using archival sources followed by field work, the present attempt envisages applying the Environmental Seismic Intensity scale (ESI 2007) for a macroseismic intensity assessment of the 1885 Baramulla Earthquake. Inferences (primary and secondary) reveal that the 1885 Baramulla earthquake local intensity would have been VI–X on the ESI scale. Baramulla, the macroseismic epicenter of the earthquake, must have witnessed epicentral intensity of X on ESI scale. The intensity must have been variable, severe at Baramulla and less at Srinagar, because of the severity of damage decreased from NW to SE.
Geomorphology, 2015
The Balapur fault (BF) is a high angle thrust fault (reverse), dipping~60°NE, with an established... more The Balapur fault (BF) is a high angle thrust fault (reverse), dipping~60°NE, with an established length of~40 km striking NW-SE of the Kashmir basin. However, geomorphic traces suggest that the strike of the BF propagates beyond what has been documented previously. The present investigation aims to identify the unrecognized segment of the BF in the SW of the Kashmir basin using hypsometric variability in longitudinal profiles (knickpoints/ zones), followed by validation through stream gradient index (SL) calculations of the rivers draining the area. The longitudinal profiles of all the streams indicate prominent and consistent anomalies in the upper and midreaches even on the coarse resolution data (Survey of India topographic maps-1:50,000/40 m, DEM-SRTM 90 m). The profile anomalies in the upper reaches (hard rock zone) of the streams may be attributed to lithological contacts, i.e., Panjal trap agglomeratic slate-shale-limestone. However, the river profile convex segments and course deflection specifically in the mid-reaches (soft rock zone) are most likely associated with recent tectonic activity. Geomorphic signatures suggest that these anomalies coincide with the strike of the recognized segment of the BF. Moreover, the SL values of each stream express a clear agreement with the anomalies shown by the long profiles of the rivers. Hence, we infer that the strike of the BF extends for a significant distance (~95 km) over the northeastern flank of the Pir Panjal range in the NW-SE direction.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 2021
Disaster scenarios are constructed by integrating natural hazard phenomena and social science sou... more Disaster scenarios are constructed by integrating natural hazard phenomena and social science sources of information. We profiled 51 natural hazard events of nineteenth century Kashmir that provide insights into the impacts of varying degree of severity that spread through the socioeconomic and political systems, influenced adaptation, and increased the consequences of the resulting disasters. The root cause of these disasters was embedded in the social, natural, and political economic systems of their time, where vulnerabilities overlapped and interacted periodically with successive colonial regimes and acted as tipping points. The combined effect of successive colonial regimes, inept administration, rigid political economy, and natural hazards made the situation go from bad to worse and reduced Kashmir to the depths of distress and subjugation. Over the arc of the nineteenth century, a series of disasters led the Kashmiri population to learn how to live with disasters and minimize...
Seismological Research Letters, 2015
Geomorphology, 2015
ABSTRACT