Impact of seasonal variations on soil electrical conductivity as an earthquake precursor along the Margalla Fault Line, Islamabad

The present research deals with the study of soil electrical conductivity as an earthquake precursor along the Margalla fault line and its correlation with the increase in temperature due to global warming. Moreover, comparative study to analyze correlation of EC with physico chemical properties of soil like moisture content, pH, temperature and texture has been conducted. This correlation can help in short term probabilistic analysis of earthquakes with accuracy and without bias because many inter related properties have also been taken into account. Thus, analyses were conducted by collecting soil samples through incremental sampling technique and analyzing by laboratory methods including electrical meters for pH and EC and hydrometer for soil texture analysis. Results suggest that EC and temperature have a negative correlation which means that increase in temperature results in decline in soil EC along the studied fault line. Also, low temperature can increase the EC of soil, which can assist in developing a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis in the area in context of the electrical conductivity as a short term precursor to earthquakes. •Soil electrical conductivity studied as an earthquake short-term precursor.•Correlation of soil electrical conductivity with soil pH, temperature, moisture and texture has been established.•Comparative analysis conducted between soil EC with temperature.•Unusual trends observed between soil EC and temperature.•The results suggested that EC is directly related with earthquake occurrence along the Margalla Hills.