SITE EFFECT AND EARTHQUAKE DISASTER CHARACTERISTICS IN GUANGZHOU AREA FROM HORIZONTAL-TO-VERTICAL SPECTRAL RATIO(HVSR)METHOD

Site effect, which is related to the amplification of seismic waves, is mostly affected by the thickness and softness of sediment layers. The study of site effect in cities is becoming more and more important to the assessment of ground motions, seismic hazard and engineering seismology. However, in highly populated urban cities, traditional seismic surveys cannot be applied extensively due to their destructive consequences and high cost. The ambient noise, including microseisms and microtremor, could be acquired anywhere and anytime, and thus can serve as an effective source for engineering seismology. In order to get the site effect and distribution of sedimentary layers of Guangzhou area, one hundred QS-05A seismographs with frequency bandwidth of 5s-250Hz were deployed in early 2018 for 35 days. The inter-station spacing of these seismometers is approximately 2~5km. Using continuous ambient noise signals, we obtained the resonance frequency and amplification value beneath each station by horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio(HVSR)method. Then sedimentary layer thicknesses as well as K-values, which are related to the site vulnerability to ground shaking, were calculated. Our results suggest that the resonance frequencies in Guangzhou area are between 1~6.5Hz. The resonance frequencies increase gradually from 1Hz on the north-east side to 6.5Hz on the south-west side of the study area. The sediment thicknesses change from several meters to about 40m, with the maximum thickness at around the estuary of the Pearl River. This distribution is consistent with the topography. The amplifications are mainly between 2~6. The largest amplification is around the Pearl River and the west part of Baiyun District. In general, the K-values are small(<20), less than the dangerous value, suggesting that Guangzhou area is relatively safe in ground shaking. However, there are three small areas beneath Huadu District, Sanshui District and Nanhai District. They all have K-values greater than 20, suggesting those areas are more vulnerable to earthquake destruction, and higher construction standard is needed. The reliability of our results is further supported by its consistency with topography and borehole data in Guangzhou area. Our results provide important information for shallow underground structure in Guangzhou area, and can be referred as guidelines in urban architecture planning and disaster prevention and mitigation.