Simulation of Ground Motion from Strong Earthquakes of Kamchatka Region (1992–1993) at Rock and Soil Sites

To estimate the parameters of ground motion in future strong earthquakes, characteristics of radiation and propagation of seismic waves in the Kamchatka region were studied. Regional parameters of radiation and propagation of seismic waves were estimated by comparing simulations of earthquake records with data recorded by stations of the Kamchatka Strong Motion Network. Acceleration time histories of strong earthquakes (M _w = 6.8–7.5, depths 45–55 km) that occurred near the eastern coast of Kamchatka in 1992–1993 were simulated at rock and soil stations located at epicentral distances of 67–195 km. In these calculations, the source spectra and the estimates of frequency-dependent attenuation and geometrical spreading obtained earlier for Kamchatka were used. The local seismic-wave amplification was estimated based on shallow geophysical site investigations and deep crustal seismic explorations, and parameters defining the shapes of the waveforms, the duration, etc. were selected, showing the best-fit to the observations. The estimated parameters of radiation and propagation of seismic waves describe all the studied earthquakes well. Based on the waveforms of the acceleration time histories, models of slip distribution over the fault planes were constructed for the studied earthquakes. Station PET can be considered as a reference rock station having the minimum site effects. The intensity of ground motion at the other studied stations was higher than at PET due to the soil response or other effects, primarily topographic ones. At soil stations INS, AER, and DCH the parameters of soil profiles (homogeneous pyroclastic deposits) were estimated, and nonlinear models of their behavior in the strong motion were constructed. The obtained parameters of radiation and propagation of seismic waves and models of soil behavior can be used for forecasting ground motion in future strong earthquakes in Kamchatka.     

Acceleration Time Histories for a Scenario Earthquake in Moscow at Sites with Different Soil Conditions

According to general seismic zoning maps, Moscow is in an area with a seismic intensity of 5, in which the maximum seismic effect is expected from remote deep-focal earthquakes in the Vrancea zone (Eastern Carpathians, Romania). In our previous studies, an earthquake with a hypocenter at a depth of 80–150 km in the Vrancea zone, a moment magnitude of M_w = 8.0, and a drop in stress of Δσ = 325 bar was used as a scenario earthquake for Moscow. A series of model acceleration time histories for ground vibrations was calculated for this earthquake for the reference local conditions of the Moskva seismic station (Moscow, Pyzhevskii per. 3). In this paper, these acceleration time histories are used to calculate the acceleration time histories and estimate the ground vibration parameters for an scenario earthquake at other sites on the territory of Moscow for which information on soil conditions is available. Since the epicentral distance is large (~1300 km), it can be assumed that changes in the shape and spectral content of the acceleration time histories at different sites in Moscow are only caused by different local conditions.     

Features of Radiation and Propagation of Seismic Waves in the Northern Caucasus: Manifestations in Regional Coda

Based on the Anapa (ANN) seismic station records of ~40 earthquakes (M_W > 3.9) that occurred within ~300 km of the station since 2002 up to the present time, the source parameters and quality factor of the Earth’s crust (Q(f)) and upper mantle are estimated for the S-waves in the 1–8 Hz frequency band. The regional coda analysis techniques which allow separating the effects associated with seismic source (source effects) and with the propagation path of seismic waves (path effects) are employed. The Q-factor estimates are obtained in the form Q(f) = 90 × f 0.7 for the epicentral distances r < 120 km and in the form Q(f) = 90 × f1.0 for r > 120 km. The established Q(f) and source parameters are close to the estimates for Central Japan, which is probably due to the similar tectonic structure of the regions. The shapes of the source parameters are found to be independent of the magnitude of the earthquakes in the magnitude range 3.9–5.6; however, the radiation of the high-frequency components (f > 4–5 Hz) is enhanced with the depth of the source (down to h ~ 60 km). The estimates Q(f) of the quality factor determined from the records by the Sochi, Anapa, and Kislovodsk seismic stations allowed a more accurate determination of the seismic moments and magnitudes of the Caucasian earthquakes. The studies will be continued for obtaining the Q(f) estimates, geometrical spreading functions, and frequency-dependent amplification of seismic waves in the Earth’s crust in the other regions of the Northern Caucasus.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">Q</Emphasis>-factor estimates for the crust and upper mantle in the vicinity of Sochi and Anapa (North Caucasus)

The regularities in the radiation and propagation of seismic waves in the regions of the North Caucasus are analyzed for estimating the ground motion parameters during the probable future strong earthquakes. Based on the records of the regional earthquakes with magnitudes M_W ~ 3.9–5.6 within epicentral distances up to ~300 km obtained during the period of digital measurements at the Sochi and Anapa seismic stations, the Q-factors in the vicinities of these sites are estimated at ~55 f^0.9 and ~90f^0.7, respectively. The estimates were obtained by the coda normalization method developed by Aki, Rautian, and other authors. This method is based on the phenomenon of suppression of the earthquake (source) effects and local (site) responses by coda waves in the S-wave spectra. The obtained Q-factor estimates can be used for forecasting the ground shaking parameters for the future probable strong earthquakes in the North Caucasus in the vicinities of Sochi and Anapa.     

The seismic wave absorption in the crust and upper mantle in the vicinity of the Kislovodsk seismic station

The Q-factor estimates of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle as the functions of frequency (Q(f)) are obtained for the seismic S-waves at frequencies up to ~35 Hz. The estimates are based on the data for ~40 earthquakes recorded by the Kislovodsk seismic station since 2000. The magnitudes of these events are M_W > 3.8, the sources are located in the depth interval from 1 to 165 km, and the epicentral distances range from ~100 to 300 km. The Q-factor estimates are obtained by the methods developed by Aki and Rautian et al., which employ the suppression of the effects of the source radiation spectrum and local site responses in the S-wave spectra by the coda waves measured at a fixed lapse time (time from the first arrival). The radiation pattern effects are cancelled by averaging over many events whose sources are distributed in a wide azimuthal sector centered at the receiving site. The geometrical spreading was specified in the form of a piecewise-continuous function of distance which behaves as 1/R at the distances from 1 to 50 km from the source, has a plateau at 1/50 in the interval from 50–70 km to 130–150 km, and decays as \({\raise0.7ex\hbox{$1$} \!\mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 {\sqrt R }}}\right.\kern-\nulldelimiterspace} \!\lower0.7ex\hbox{${\sqrt R }$}}\) beyond 130–150 km. For this geometrical spreading model and some of its modifications, the following Q-factor estimates are obtained: Q(f) ~ 85f^0.9 at the frequencies ranging from ~1 to 20 Hz and Q(f) ~ 75f^1.0 at the frequencies ranging from ~1 to 35 Hz.     

The correlation between the characteristics of seismic wave propagation in Western Caucasus and the geological–tectonic features of the region

The relationship between the characteristics of seismic waves in the Western Caucasus and the geological-tectonic structure of the region is studied for identifying the specificity of seismic propagation in the mountainous regions with a complicated geological structure and forecasting the characteristics of the propagation from the geological and tectonic data. The interpretation is presented for the estimates of the Q-factor of the medium (Q(f) ~ 55f^0.9 in the region of Sochi and Q(f) ~ 90f^0.7 in the region of Anapa), seismic wave enhancement in the upper crustal layers (A(f) ~ 1), and peak ground acceleration residuals, which were previously determined from the records of the local earthquakes and show the distributions of local variations in the parameters of seismic wave radiation and propagation. The obtained characteristics are interpreted in the context of the up-to-date information about the tectonic, geological, and deep structure of the epicentral zones in the Western Caucasus and neighboring territory of the Black Sea. The discrepancies revealed in the low-frequency behavior of the Q-factor in the vicinities of Sochi and Anapa is accounted for by the spatial scale and character of tectonic dislocations of the rocks in these regions. The local variations in the parameters of seismic radiation and propagation are probably related to the geological features of the region such as the fault structures, including the thrusts, shatter zones, oblique seismic boundaries, variations in the thickness and consolidation of the sedimentary cover, as well as the peculiarities in the structure and material composition of the basement.     

The study of the radiation characteristics and propagation of seismic waves in the North Caucasus by modeling the accelerograms of the recorded earthquakes

For evaluating the parameters of the vibrations of the Earth’s surface in the case of strong earthquakes, which are possible in the future, the regular patterns of the emission and propagation of seismic waves in the North Caucasus regions are investigated. The regional parameters of emission and propagation of seismic waves are evaluated by solution of the inverse problems of stochastic modeling of the accelerograms of the earthquakes, recorded by the seismic station in Sochi. The horizontal components of the strongest earthquakes (M _w ～ 3.9?5.6), that occurred in 2002–2006 within a radius of ～300 km from the seismic station, with source depths up to 60 km are modeled. For calculations of accelerograms, estimates of the quality are used, obtained earlier for this region in the form: Q(f) ～ 80 ～ f ^0.9. The parameter settings are carried out, which determine the shapes of the source spectra, the amplification of the seismic waves in the Earth’s crust, the weakening of the waves at high frequencies (κ), the parameters that determine the shape and duration of accelerograms, etc. Sufficiently good agreement of the calculated and recorded accelerograms is obtained, the regional characteristics of emission and propagation of seismic waves, which can be used for prediction of the parameters of strong motions in the North Caucasus, are evaluated; however, in the future these characteristics should be studied in more detail.     

On a possible origin of the anomalous effects that were observed during the May 24, 2013 earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk

The deep-focus Sea of Okhotsk earthquake that occurred on May 24, 2013 (h = 630 km, M _w = 8.3) was accompanied by anomalous effects that were unknown previously. A combined analysis of published data concerning the source rupture evolution and some features of the deep structure provided an explanation of some anomalous effects, such as the large number of aftershocks and the low level of ground shaking in the epicentral area. However, GPS observations revealed high coseismic vertical displacements in the area. The seafloor uplift in the Sea of Okhotsk and the adjacent coasts was 3–12 mm, peaking at the approximate center of the sea, while Kamchatka and the North Kuril Islands subsided by 3–18 mm, peaking at the Apacha station 190 km east of the earthquake epicenter. These maximum estimates are 1.2–1.8 times the analogous values (10 mm) for the Chile mega-earthquake of May 20, 1960 (M _w ~ 9.5). It is known that the large distances at which ground shaking is felt during deep-focus earthquakes are due to the fact that the body waves travel through the high-Q lower mantle. However, this does not explain the paradox of the present earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk, viz., a constant intensity of shaking (two grades) in the range of epicentral distances between 1300 and 9500 km. The explanation requires consideration of the earth’s free oscillations excited by the earthquake.     

Shear wave attenuation estimated from the spectral decay rate in the vicinity of the Petropavlovsk station,Kamchatka

The parameters of S-wave attenuation (the total effect of absorption and scattering) near the Petropavlovsk (PET) station in Kamchatka were estimated by means of the spectral method through an original procedure. The spectral method typically analyzes the changes with distance of the shape of spectra of the acceleration records assuming that the acceleration spectrum at the earthquake source is flat. In reality, this assumption is violated: the source acceleration spectra often have a high-frequency cutoff (the source-controlled f_max) which limits the spectral working bandwidth. Ignoring this phenomenon not only leads to a broad scatter of the individual estimates but also causes systematic errors in the form of overestimation of losses. In the approach applied in the present study, we primarily estimated the frequency of the mentioned high-frequency cutoff and then constructed the loss estimates only within the frequency range where the source spectrum is approximately flat. The shape of the source spectrum was preliminarily assessed by the approximate loss compensation technique. For this purpose, we used the tentative attenuation estimates which are close to the final ones. The difference in the logarithms of the spectral amplitudes at the edges of the working bandwidth is the input for calculating the attenuation. We used the digital accelerograms from the PET station, with 80 samples per second digitization rate, and based on them, we calculated the averaged spectrum of the S-waves as the root mean square along two horizontal components. Our analysis incorporates 384 spectra from the local earthquakes with M = 4–6.5 at the hypocentral distances ranging from 80 to 220 km. By applying the nonlinear least-square method, we found the following parameters of the loss model: the Q-factor Q₀ = 156 ± 33 at frequency f = 1 Hz for the distance interval r = 0–100 km; the exponent in the power-law relationship describing the growth of the Q-factor with frequency, γ = 0.56 ± 0.08; and the loss parameter beneath the station κ₀ = 0.03 ± 0.005 s. The actual accuracy of the estimates can probably be somewhat lower than the cited formal accuracy. It is also established (with a confidence level of 10%) that the losses decrease with distance.     

On the Problem of Deep Earthquakes in Crimea–Black Sea Region

It is a common opinion that only crustal earthquakes can occur in the Crimea–Black Sea region. Since the existence of deep earthquakes in the Crimea–Black Sea region is extremely important for the construction of a geodynamic model for this region, an attempt is made to verify the validity of this widespread view. To do this, the coordinates of all earthquakes recorded by the stations of the Crimean seismological network are reinterpreted with an algorithm developed by one of the authors. The data published in the seismological catalogs and bulletins of the Crimea–Black Sea region for 1970–2012 are used for the analysis. To refine the coordinates of hypocenters of earthquakes in the Crimea–Black Sea region, in addition to the data from stations of the Crimean seismological network, information from seismic stations located around the Black Sea coast are used. In total, the data from 61 seismic stations were used to determine the hypocenter coordinates. The used earthquake catalogs for 1970–2012 contain information on ~2140 events with magnitudes from–1.5 to 5.5. The bulletins provide information on the arrival times of P- and S-waves at seismic stations for 1988 events recorded by three or more stations. The principal innovation of this study is the use of the original author’s hypocenter determination algorithm, which minimizes the functional of distances between the points (X, Y, H) and (x, y, h) corresponding to the theoretical and observed seismic wave travel times from the earthquake source to the recording stations. The determination of the coordinates of earthquake hypocenters is much more stable in this case than the usual minimization of the residual functional for the arrival time of an earthquake wave at a station (the difference between the theoretical and observed values). Since determination of the hypocenter coordinates can be influenced by the chosen velocity column beneath each station, special attention is focused on collecting information on velocity profiles. To evaluate the influence of the upper mantle on the results of calculating the velocity model, two different low-velocity and high-velocity models are used; the results are compared with each other. Both velocity models are set to a depth of 640 km, which is fundamentally important in determining hypocenters for deep earthquakes. Studies of the Crimea–Black Sea region have revealed more than 70 earthquakes with a source depth of more than 60 km. The adequacy of the obtained depth values is confirmed by the results of comparing the initial experimental data from the bulletins with the theoretical travel-time curves for earthquake sources with depths of 50 and 200 km. The sources of deep earthquakes found in the Crimea–Black Sea region significantly change our understanding of the structure and geotectonics of this region.     

Increment of Macroseismic Intensity at Seismic Stations of the Kamchatka Region Relative to the Petropavlovsk Seismic Station

The paper presents the method and results of calculating the increment of macroseismic intensity at seismic stations of Kamchatka. Calculation is based on measurement of the relative level of maximum accelerations of intense earth vibrations in the phase of S-waves of comparatively strong regional earthquakes and the root-mean-square deviation of acceleration in the phase of P-waves of a strong distant earthquake. In the latter case, records of an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1, which occurred in Japan on March 11, 2011, were used. The Petropavlovsk seismic station was used as the reference station. At the foundation of this station rests on rocky soil composed of siliceous shales. An estimate of the increment for the majority of digital stations is presented. Anomalously high intensity values were noted at a number of stations. The data obtained are used to assess the properties of soils in the investigated area. At several stations, the intensity of the horizontal component of soil vibrations above the intensity of the vertical component is much greater than the corresponding design value, which is probably due to the presence of resonant soil layers under these stations. The discrepancy in the incremental intensity estimates from records of intense oscillations from regional earthquakes and from records of a very strong remote earthquake obtained from sensors located in basements of heavy-frame concrete structures is revealed. To avoid distortion in recording ground vibrations, it is desirable to place seismic instruments far from such structures. The results obtained in the study can be used for seismic microzoning of construction sites in the investigated territory.     

Strong motion characteristics of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>w</Subscript> 6.6 Lushan earthquake,Sichuan, China — an insight into the spatial difference of a typical thrust fault earthquake

Near-field strong ground motions are useful for engineering seismology studies and seismic design, but dense observation networks of damaging earthquakes are still rare. In this study, based on the strong-motion data from the M w 6.6 Lushan earthquake, the ground motion parameters in different spatial regions are systematically analyzed, and the contributions from different effects, like the hanging-wall effect, directivity effect, and attenuation effect are separated to the extent possible. Different engineering parameters from the observed ground motions are compared with the local design response spectra and a new attenuation relation of Western China. General results indicate that the high frequency ground motion, like the peak ground acceleration, on two sides of the fault plane is sensitive to the hanging-wall effect, whereas the low frequency ground motion, like the long period spectral acceleration, in the rupture propagation direction is affected by the directivity effect. Moreover, although the M w 6.6 Lushan earthquake is not a large magnitude event, the spatial difference of ground motion is still obvious; thus, for a thrust faulting earthquake, in addition to the hanging effect, the directivity effect should also be considered.     

Spatial relation between the tidal component of seismic noise and development zones of strong earthquakes (from long-term regular observations on the Kamchatka Peninsula)

The results of long-term studies of seismic noise before strong regional earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula in 1992–2006 are presented. These results show that parameters of seismic noise variations caused by the tidal effect depend on the source position of the forthcoming earthquake. The reproducibility of the observed effects is demonstrated by the example of two strong deep (～200 km) subduction earthquakes with similar parameters that occurred on June 16, 2003 (M = 6.9), and on June 10, 2004 (M = 6.8). The physical mechanism of the synchronization of the tidal component extracted from high-frequency seismic noise with the wave of the gravitational tidal potential can be related to the possible development of near-surface dilatancy zones.     

喀什基准台宽频带井下和地表地震计记录数据对比研究

对比分析喀什基准台麦盖提井下和相邻地表宽频带地震计记录的背景噪声、麦盖提M_L3.1近震和棉兰老岛M_L6.6远震波形记录以及功率谱,并进一步研究了相关的震级差和台站下方结构。研究结果表明,井下和地表地震计记录到的波形特征和功率谱既存在相似性,又具有差异性;井下地震计记录的近、远震波形更清晰、简洁,且功率谱也相对较低。麦盖提台站下方地壳厚度约50km,井下地震计下方59m和地表地震计下方47m深度范围内的平均S波速度分别为0.59km/s和0.47km/s。井下地震计得到的近震和远震震级分别比地表地震计得到的震级小0.518和0.025。本文研究结果对合理布设地表和井下地震计,以及利用其观测数据进行地震学研究具有一定的指示意义。     

河北永清M 4.3地震北京烈度仪台网记录分析

2018年2月12日河北永清发生M 4.3地震,北京烈度仪台网共35个台站获得有效记录,记录最大峰值加速度的台站为丰台地震台（D0001）,峰值加速度为10.76cm/s2,该台距震中约61km。本文对北京烈度仪台网获得的此次地震动记录进行了初步分析,并对3个同台址的强震动仪记录的数据进行了对比分析。结果表明,烈度仪记录计算得出的仪器烈度与强震动仪记录计算的仪器烈度结果具有较高的一致性,可用于烈度速报。     

Experience in registration of variations caused by strong earthquakes in the level and physicochemical parameters of ground waters in the piezometric wells: the case of Kamchatka

The hardware complex that was produced by OOO Polynom, Khabarovsk, for registration of the level, temperature, and electrical conductivity of ground water in wells and meteorological parameters (atmospheric pressure, air temperature) at a measurement frequency from 5 min to 1 h is described. The equipment is installed in the wells of Kamchatka and has been used for several years to register variations caused by earthquakes in the parameters of ground waters. Different variations in measured parameters of ground waters due to strong earthquakes of February 28, 2013, M _W = 6.8 and May 24, 2013, M _W = 8.3 are registered with this equipment in wells YuZ-5 and E-1. The registered variations and their systematization are described taking into account the mechanisms of a seismic impact on the state of the well–water-saturated rock system.     

A study of Guptkashi,Uttarakhand earthquake of 6 February 2017 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis></Subscript>5.3) in the Himalayan arc and implications for ground motion estimation

The 2017 Guptkashi earthquake occurred in a segment of the Himalayan arc with high potential for a strong earthquake in the near future. In this context, a careful analysis of the earthquake is important as it may shed light on source and ground motion characteristics during future earthquakes. Using the earthquake recording on a single broadband strong-motion seismograph installed at the epicenter, we estimate the earthquake’s location (30.546° N, 79.063° E), depth (H?=?19 km), the seismic moment (M₀?=?1.12×10¹⁷ Nm, M _w 5.3), the focal mechanism (φ?=?280°, δ?=?14°, λ?=?84°), the source radius (a?=?1.3 km), and the static stress drop (Δσ _s ~22 MPa). The event occurred just above the Main Himalayan Thrust. S-wave spectra of the earthquake at hard sites in the arc are well approximated (assuming ω^?2 source model) by attenuation parameters Q(f)?=?500f^0.9, κ?=?0.04 s, and f_max?=?infinite, and a stress drop of Δσ?=?70 MPa. Observed and computed peak ground motions, using stochastic method along with parameters inferred from spectral analysis, agree well with each other. These attenuation parameters are also reasonable for the observed spectra and/or peak ground motion parameters in the arc at distances ≤?200 km during five other earthquakes in the region (4.6?≤?M _w ?≤?6.9). The estimated stress drop of the six events ranges from 20 to 120 MPa. Our analysis suggests that attenuation parameters given above may be used for ground motion estimation at hard sites in the Himalayan arc via the stochastic method.     

Nonlinear Soil Behavior at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant During the Niigata Chuetsu-Oki Earthquake (July, 16, 2007)

Records of the Niigata Chuetsu-Oki earthquake (July, 16, 2007, M _w?=?6.6, depth ~17?km) and its aftershocks from seismic vertical arrays deployed at the territory of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant (~15?km from the fault) are used to study the soil behavior down to ~250?m during strong ground motion. Nonlinear models of soil behavior during the main shock and six aftershocks are constructed, and stresses and strains induced by the strong motion in the soil layers at various depths are estimated. The data are processed using the method developed by Pavlenko and Irikura (Bull Seismol Soc Am 96(6): 2131–2145, 2003) and previously applied for studying the soil behavior in near-fault zones during the 1995 Kobe and 2000 Tottori earthquakes. A rather good agreement between the recorded and simulated acceleration time histories testifies to the validity of the obtained vertical distributions of stresses and strains in soil layers. In the upper, softer layers (~45?m) at the territory of the plant, the shear moduli were reduced by ~30–35% during the main shock and by ~1.5–3% during the aftershocks. The constructed models of soil behavior can be used in scenario earthquake shaking maps of Japan where, based on source modeling parameters, the level of strong motion can be evaluated for the territory of the power plant in future earthquakes with various magnitudes and fault planes. Using methods of stochastic finite-fault modeling of ground motions from the Chuetsu-Oki earthquake, we estimated input motion to the soil layers during the main shock and found that it differs from the imposed motion (recorded by the deepest sensor of the vertical array) by slightly decreased (by a factor of ~1.2) low-frequency (f?<?10?Hz) spectral components.