Estimates of source parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>4.9 Kharsali earthquake using waveform modelling

This paper presents the computation of time series of the 22 July 2007 M 4.9 Kharsali earthquake. It occurred close to the Main Central Thrust (MCT) where seismic gap exists. The main shock and 17 aftershocks were located by closely spaced eleven seismograph stations in a network that involved VSAT based real-time seismic monitoring. The largest aftershock of M 3.5 and other aftershocks occurred within a small volume of 4 × 4 km horizontal extent and between depths of 10 and 14 km. The values of seismic moment (M _∘) determined using P-wave spectra and Brune’s model based on f ² spectral shape ranges from 10¹⁸ to 10²³ dyne-cm. The initial aftershocks occurred at greater depth compared to the later aftershocks. The time series of ground motion have been computed for recording sites using geometric ray theory and Green’s function approach. The method for computing time series consists in integrating the far-field contributions of Green’s function for a number of distributed point source. The generated waveforms have been compared with the observed ones. It has been inferred that the Kharsali earthquake occurred due to a northerly dipping low angle thrust fault at a depth of 14 km taking strike N279°E, dip 14° and rake 117°. There are two regions on the fault surface which have larger slip amplitudes (asperities) and the rupture which has been considered as circular in nature initiated from the asperity at a greater depth shifting gradually upwards. The two asperities cover only 10% of the total area of the causative fault plane. However, detailed seismic imaging of these two asperities can be corroborated with structural heterogeneities associated with causative fault to understand how seismogenesis is influenced by strong or weak structural barriers in the region.     

Spectral Amplification Effects at Sellano,Central Italy,for the 1997–98 Umbria Seismic Sequence

The seismic events recorded at two accelerographs installed at Sellano (central Italy) during the 1997–1998 Umbria seismic sequence, one on detritic material, at the historical centre, and the other one on rock, about 200 m distant, were analysed in terms of spectral amplification of the historical centre site. Epicentres were mainly concentrated in the north and south-east directions of Sellano area. The SH wave component average amplifications were evaluated from the smoothed Fourier spectral ratios of the recordings on soil and rock sites, along the two main epicentral lines. Similar amplifications resulted, with two main peaks in the frequency range of 3–5 Hz, corresponding to the eigenfrequencies of the damaged buildings. Shear velocities of the shallowest 30 m of soils were obtained by FTAN measurements along refraction seismic spreadings, and utilized to compute spectral amplification of soil station to rock station along the geological cross sections. A good agreement was found between observed Fourier spectral ratios and the computed 2D amplification modelling, which explains the damage level of the historical buildings beside the degraded conditions of brick masonry.     

Spectra of the earthquake sequence February-March, 1981, in south-central Sweden

On February 13, 1981 a relatively strong earthquake occurred in the Lake Vänern region in south-central Sweden. The shock had a magnitude ofM_L = 3.3 and was followed within three weeks by three aftershocks, with magnitudes 0.5 ≤ M_L ≤ 1.0. The focal mechanism solution of the main shock indicates reverse faulting with a strike in the N-S or NE-SW direction and a nearly horizontal compressional stress. The aftershocks were too small to yield data for a full mechanism solution, but first motions of P-waves, recorded at two stations, are consistent for the aftershocks. Dynamic source parameters, derived from Pg- and Sg-wave spectra, show similar stress drops for the main shock (2 bar) and the aftershocks (1 bar), while the differences in seismic moment (1.5·10²⁰ resp. 4·10¹⁸dyne cm), fault length (0.7 resp. 0.2 km) and relative displacement (0.15 resp. 0.03 cm) are significant.     

Field-seismic investigation of the August 1975 Oroville, California, earthquake sequence

Several thousand aftershocks of the August 1, 1975 Oroville, California, earthquake (M_L = 5.7) were recorded by an 8-station field-seismic network. Focal coordinates of 104 of these events were fitted by least-squares to a plane striking N07°W and dipping 59°W; the strike (but not the dip) of this plane is in good agreement with that (N09°W) obtained from a fault-plane solution for a large foreshock 8 sec before the main shock, and it agrees fairly well with the trend (N15°W) of structural lineaments in the vicinity of Lake Oroville. The surface trace of the plane of foci passes through the Oroville Dam, as well as through surface cracking 12 km south of the dam. The main shock occurred 7 years after the filling of Lake Oroville, but only a month after the most rapid filling since 1968. The rate of aftershock occurrence during the first month decayed approximately as1/t. Event duration was measured for more than 2,000 aftershocks during August and September; average log-duration, taken over samples of 100 events, decreased gradually during this period. Close-in spectra obtained from strong-motion recordings of several of the larger aftershocks have corner frequencies that are quite high compared to other western U.S. earthquakes of similar magnitude. The Oroville earthquakes had several features in common with another Sierra Nevada earthquake sequence, near Truckee, California, in September, 1966.     

Fault plane solutions of the january 26th, 2001 bhuj earthquake sequence

A 12-station temporary microearthquake network was established by the Geological Survey of India for aftershock monitoring of the January 26th, 2001 Bhuj earthquake (M _w 7.6) in the Kutch district of Gujarat state, western India. The epicentres of the aftershocks show two major trends: one in the NE direction and the other in the NW direction. Fault-plane solutions of the best-located and selected cluster of events that occurred along the NE trend, at a depth of 15–38 km, show reverse faulting with a large left-lateral strike-slip motion, which are comparable with the main-shock solution. The NW trending upper crustal aftershocks at depth <10 km, on the other hand, show reverse faulting with right-lateral strike-slip motion, and the mid crustal and lower crustal aftershocks, at a depth of 15–38 km, show pure reverse faulting as well as reverse faulting with right-lateral and left-lateral strike-slip motions; these solutions are not comparable with the main-shock solution. It is inferred that the intersection of two faults has been the source area for stress concentration to generate the main shock and the aftershocks.     

Study of the epicentral trends and depth sections for aftershocks of the 26th january 2001, Bhuj earthquake in Western India

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) established a twelve-station temporary microearthquake (MEQ) network to monitor the aftershocks in the epicenter area of the Bhuj earthquake (M _w7.5) of 26th January 2001. The main shock occurred in the Kutch rift basin with the epicenter to the north of Bhachao village, at an estimated depth of 25 km (IMD). About 3000 aftershocks (M _d ≥ 1.0), were recorded by the GSI network over a monitoring period of about two and half months from 29th January 2001 to 15th April 2001. About 800 aftershocks (M _d ≥ 2.0) are located in this study. The epicenters are clustered in an area 60 km × 30 km, between 23.3‡N and 23.6‡N and 70‡E and 70.6‡E. The main shock epicenter is also located within this zone. Two major aftershock trends are observed; one in the NE direction and other in the NW direction. Out of these two trends, the NE trend was more pronounced with depth. The major NE-SW trend is parallel to the Anjar-Rapar lineament. The other trend along NW-SE is parallel to the Bhachao lineament. The aftershocks at a shallower depth (<10km) are aligned only along the NW-SE direction. The depth slice at 10 km to 20 km shows both the NE-SW trend and the NW-SE trend. At greater depth (20 km–38 km) the NE-SW trend becomes more predominant. This observation suggests that the major rupture of the main shock took place at a depth level more than 20 km; it propagated along the NE-SW direction, and a conjugate rupture followed the NW-SE direction. A N-S depth section of the aftershocks shows that some aftershocks are clustered at shallower depth ≤ 10 km, but intense activity is observed at 15–38 km depth. There is almost an aseismic layer at 10–15 km depth. The activity is sparse below 38 km. The estimated depth of the main shock at 25 km is consistent with the cluster of maximum number of the aftershocks at 20–38 km. A NW-SE depth section of the aftershocks, perpendicular to the major NE-SW trend, indicates a SE dipping plane and a NE-SW depth section across the NW-SE trend shows a SW dipping plane. The epicentral map of the stronger aftershocksM ≥ 4.0 shows a prominent NE trend. Stronger aftershocks have followed the major rupture trend of the main shock. The depth section of these stronger aftershocks reveals that it occurred in the depth range of 20 to 38 km, and corroborates with a south dipping seismogenic plane.     

Seismotectonic and seismological aspects of the Mostaganem (Western Algeria) May 22, 2014 (Mw 4.9) seismic event

On Thursday, 22 of May 2014, at 6 h 22 min 0.3.3 s (GMT?+?1) a moderate-sized earthquake struck the Mostaganem, Western Algeria, region. The main shock, recorded by many international and national seismological stations, was preceded by a foreshock, 3 hours before, on May 22, 2014 (Ml?=?4.1) at 3 h 57 min 41.4 s and followed by four well-felt aftershocks (M?>?3.0) that lasted about 1 year. The main shock did not cause loss of lives but serious panic among the population was reported. The main shock, however, caused cracks in walls and roofs, sometimes destroyed, the old non-engineered and precarious adobe dweller corresponding to I₀?=?VI–VII (Msk scale). We used accelerograph records to (i) determine the epicenter location (longitude?=?0.3537 E, latitude?=?35.8598 N, (ii) perform waveforms inversion to calculate the earthquake parameters. The obtained results are, respectively, the seismic moment (M₀)?=?2.71 E + 16, the Mw?=?4.9 and the focal depth?=?6 km. The obtained focal mechanism solution shows reverse faulting with small right lateral component with the following nodal plans: NP1, strike?=?193.5, dip?=?49.5, slip?=?57.6 and NP2, strike?=?57.8, dip?=?50, slip?=?122.1. On the other hand, the seismotectonic framework of the Dahra area exhibits a serie of NE-SW trending “en echelon” faulted folds that may be active as suggested by this study.     

Seismic Source Parameters for the ML = 5.4 Athens Earthquake (7 September 1999) from a New Telemetric Broad Band Seismological Network in Greece

A regional telemetric network of twelve digital broad-band seismic stations has been in full operation since the beginning of 1999, in Greece, operated by the Institute of Geodynamics of the National Observatory of Athens (GI-NOA). On 7 September1999, a M_L = 5.4 main shock occurred just 18 kilometers to the north of the Greek capital Athens, causing severe damage and loss of life. The broad band network recorded the seismic sequence and the main shock and 18 aftershocks were selected in order to determine their seismic source parameters and scaling relations by the spectral analysis method.The results indicate a main shock seismic momentM₀ = 5.7 × 10²⁴ dyn-cm in general agreementwith that reported by other agencies and two different source models were used to determine the respective fault radii and displacements for comparison and evaluation purposes.In addition, by investigating source parameters for the aftershocks, it was found that the seismic moment correlates very well with the earthquake magnitude (M_L) and corner frequency (F_C) through the following relationships:Log M₀ = 1.80M_L + 15.19 and Log M₀ = - 3.17F_C + 22.09,respectively. These results and scaling relations are in general agreement with those obtained by other studies and in view of the fact that digital seismic instrumentation is now expanding in Greece, these first results from spectral analysis of digital broad band data can be considered useful for future relevant investigations.     

Aftershocks of the june 20, 1978, Greece earthquake: A multimode faulting sequence

A 10-station portable seismograph network was deployed in northern Greece to study aftershocks of the magnitude (m_b) 6.4 earthquake of June 20, 1978. The main shock occurred (in a graben) about 25 km northeast of the city of Thessaloniki and caused an east-west zone of surface rupturing 14 km long that splayed to 7 km wide at the west end. The hypocenters for 116 aftershocks in the magnitude range from 2.5 to 4.5 were determined. The epicenters for these events cover an area 30 km (east-west) by 18 km (north-south), and focal depths ranges from 4 to 12 km. Most of the aftershocks in the east half of the aftershock zone are north of the surface rupture and north of the graben. Those in the west half are located within the boundaries of the graben. Composite focalmechanism solutions for selected aftershocks indicate reactivation of geologically mapped normal faults in the area. Also, strike-slip and dip-slip faults that splay off the western end of the zone of surface ruptures may have been activated.The epicenters for four large (M 4.8) foreshocks and the main shock were relocated using the method of joint epicenter determination. Collectively, those five epicenters form an arcuate pattern convex southward, that is north of and 5 km distant from the surface rupturing. The 5-km separation, along with a focal depth of 8 km (average aftershock depth) or 16 km (NEIS main-shock depth), implies that the fault plane dips northward 58° or 73°, respectively. A preferred nodal-plane dip of 36° was determined by B.C. Papazachos and his colleagues in 1979 from a focal-mechanism solution for the main shock. If this dip is valid for the causal fault and that fault projects to the zone of surface rupturing, a decrease of dip with depth is required.     

A seismological overview of the April 25, 2015 M<Subscript>w</Subscript>7.8 Nepal earthquake

This paper aims to determine the damage distribution and to analyze the available strong motion records of the April 25, 2015 Nepal earthquake and its eight aftershocks. For this purpose, an earthquake investigation team was dispatched to Nepal from May 6 to 11, 2015 to evaluate the damages of the epicentral region and the four affected cities containing Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Gorkha, and Pokhara. Based on the observations from the damages to the built environment, an iso-intensity map is prepared on the EMS-98 intensity scale in which the maximum intensity in the epicentral region is estimated to be about VIII. However, based on the geological and geotechnical evidences such as landslide volumes and ground fissures, the maximum intensity can be inferred about IX or X on the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) intensity scale. In addition, the available strong motion data of the 2015 Nepal mainshock and its eight large aftershocks recorded at the KATNP accelerometric station in Kathmandu were processed and analyzed. In order to investigate the probable site effects, the Fourier amplitude spectra (FAS) of the horizontal north-south (N) and east-west (E) components and the average of them (H _avg) were divided to the FAS of the vertical (Z) component and thus, the \( \raisebox{1ex}{$ N$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$ Z$}\right. \), \( \raisebox{1ex}{$ E$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$ Z$}\right. \), \( \raisebox{1ex}{${H}_{\mathrm{avg}}$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$ Z$}\right. \) spectral ratios were calculated. Based on these horizontal to vertical spectral ratios, a low-frequency peak at about 0.2–0.3 Hz (3.5–5-s period) is observed clearly in all the records. Accordingly, the repeated results might imply site amplification due to the thick alluvial deposits and the high groundwater level at the KATNP accelerometric station within the Kathmandu basin. It should be noted that all the horizontal to vertical spectral ratios of the aftershocks show a high peak at around 1.5–3 Hz, which is missed in the horizontal to vertical spectral ratio of the mainshock. On the other hand, considering the low angle of the causative fault plane, a near-source directivity effect on the fault normal direction (here, the vertical component) of the April 25, 2015 mainshock rupture may exist. Therefore, vertical to horizontal spectral ratios (\( \raisebox{1ex}{$ Z$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$ N$}\right. \) and \( \raisebox{1ex}{$ Z$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$ E$}\right. \)) were also calculated to find the vertical peak more clearly. The figures confirmed a peak at the frequency of 1.5–3 Hz in the mainshock spectra which is not repeated on the aftershock spectra and thus can probably be attributed as the pulse of directivity effect toward Kathmandu. This inferred directivity pulse can be also well distinguished on the velocity and displacement time histories of the mainshock.     

Local site effects in Latur, India: an empirical study based on the aftershocks of the Killari earthquake of September 29, 1993

The site amplification is estimated at five seismic stations of the Latur region using the horizontal to vertical spectral ratios of 33 aftershocks of the main Killari earthquake of September 29, 1993 (UTC). Spectral amplifications, ranging from a factor of 2–6 are found to vary with frequency at different places. Significant amplification is found at four sites within the Latur region, at Basavakalyan, Kasgi, Killari, and Mudgad Eakoji villages. Our results show a positive correlation between the site amplification and the damage pattern in area. The pattern and the nature of the site amplification estimated in the present study corroborates also with the analytical models and the borehole data indicating alternating layers of unconsolidated sediments and basaltic rocks.     

The 1984 Abruzzo earthquake (Italy): an example of seismogenic process controlled by interaction between differently oriented synkinematic faults

The evolution of the seismogenic process associated with the M_s 5.8 Sangro Valley earthquake of May 1984 (Abruzzo, central Italy) is closely controlled by the Quaternary extensional tectonic pattern of the area. This pattern is characterised by normal faults mainly NNW striking, whose length is controlled by pre-existing Mio–Pliocene N100±10° left-lateral strike-slip fault zones. These are partly re-activated as right-lateral normal-oblique faults under the Quaternary extensional regime and behave as transfer faults.Integration of re-located aftershocks, focal mechanisms and structural features are used to explain the divergence between the alignment of aftershocks (WSW–ENE) and the direction of seismogenic fault planes defined by the focal mechanisms (NNW–SSE) of the main shock and of the largest aftershock (M_s=5.3).The faults that appear to be involved in the seismogenic process are the NNW–SSE Barrea fault and the E–W M. Greco fault. There is field evidence of finite Quaternary deformation indicating that the normal Barrea fault re-activates the M. Greco fault as right-lateral transfer fault. No surface faulting was observed during the seismic sequence. The apparently incongruent divergence between aftershocks and nodal planes may be explained by interpreting the M. Greco fault as a barrier to the propagation of earthquake rupturing. The rupture would have nucleated on the Barrea fault, migrating along-strike towards NNW. The sharp variation in direction from the Barrea to the M. Greco fault segments would have represented a structural complexity sufficient to halt the rupture and subsequent concentration of post-seismic deformation as aftershocks around the line of intersection between the two fault planes.Fault complexities, similar to those observed in the Sangro Valley, are common features of the seismic zone of the Apennines. We suggest that the zones of interaction between NW–SE and NNW–SSE Plio-Quaternary faults and nearly E–W transfer faults, extending for several kilometres in the same way as M. Greco does, might act as barriers to the along-strike propagation of rupture processes during normal faulting earthquakes. This might have strong implications on seismic hazard, especially for the extent of the maximum magnitude expected on active faults during single rupture episodes.     

Evaluating the effects of ground motion parameters on response spectra in Uttarakhand Himalayas,India

Uttarakhand, a state of India, is located in seismically active Himalayan region and in the proximity of plate boundaries. The effects of important ground motion parameters like magnitude, distance, and local geology and site conditions on acceleration response spectra are examined in Uttarakhand Himalayas in this work. A total of 447 strong ground motion histories (horizontal and vertical) from 42 earthquakes were selected. The results show that the shape of the acceleration response spectra is influenced by the local site conditions and regional geology. The studies are carried out for two categories of sites, i.e., rock sites and soft soil sites. The maximum average horizontal spectral amplification for rock sites is 2.7 at 0.1 s, while for soft soil sites, it is found to be 3.2 at 0.2 s. In the same way, the maximum average vertical spectral amplification for rock is found to be 2.7 at 0.1 s, while for soft soil, it is found to be 2.95 at 0.1 s. The average spectral amplification in vertical component also shifts from low period (rock) to high period (soft soil). The level of spectra increases with decrease in distance for rock sites as well as soft soil sites. When comparing different magnitude earthquakes in different geological conditions, the response spectra are found to follow each other up to 0.04 s, while for period greater than 0.04 s, the spectra of higher magnitude earthquake is observed on the higher side. For soft soil sites, spectra from different magnitude earthquakes are observed to follow each other up to 0.1 s, beyond which they get separated.     

Foreshocks and earthquake prediction

Results of a statistical investigation of the magnitude and time distributions of foreshocks in the area of Greece are reported. Further evidence is presented that the parameter b, in the frequency—magnitude relation, has a smaller value before than after the main shock, and that the time distribution of foreshocks follows a statistical law similar to that followed by aftershocks. The difference in magnitude between the main shock and the largest foreshock seems to be independent of the magnitude of the main shock. The average of this difference has been found equal to about two magnitude units. The significance of these results to the problem of statistical prediction of earthquakes is noted.     

The 1988 Tennant Creek,northern territory,earthquakes: A synthesis

Three large earthquakes with surface‐wave magnitudes 6.3–6.7 on 22 January 1988 were associated with 32 km of surface faulting on two main scarps 30 km southwest of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. These events provide an excellent opportunity to study the mechanics of midplate earthquakes because of the abundance of geological and geophysical data in the area, the proximity of the Warramunga seismic array and the ease of access to the fault zone. The 1988 earthquakes were located in the North Australian Craton in an area that had no history of moderate or large earthquakes before 1986. Additionally, no smaller earthquakes from the fault zone were identified at the Warramunga array, which is situated only 30 km from the nearest scarp, between the 1965 installation of the array and 1986. The main shocks were preceded by a swarm of moderatesized (magnitude 4–5) earthquakes in January 1987 and many smaller aftershocks throughout 1987. Careful relocation of all teleseismically recorded earthquakes from the fault zone shows that the 1987 activity was concentrated in an area only 6 km across in the gap between the two main fault scarps. The main shocks also nucleated in the centre of the fault zone near the 1987 activity. Field observations of scarp morphology indicate that the scarp is divided into three segments, each showing primarily reverse faulting. However, whereas the western and eastern segments show movement of the southern block over the northern, the central scarp segment shows the opposite, with the northern block thrust over the southern block.

Analysis of the first arrival times at Warramunga suggests that the three main shocks were associated with the western, central and eastern scarp segments, respectively. The locations of aftershocks determined using data from temporary seismograph arrays in the epicentral area define three inclined zones of activity that are interpreted as fault planes. In the western and eastern portions of the aftershock zone, these concentrations of activity dip to the south at 45° and 35°, respectively, but in the central section the aftershock zone dips to the north at 55°. Focal mechanisms derived from modelling broadband teleseismic data show thrust and oblique thrust faulting for the three main shocks. The first event ruptured unilaterally up and to the northwest on the westernmost fault segment, while the third main shock ruptured horizontally to the southeast. Modelling of repeat levelling data from the epicentral area requires at least three distinct fault planes, with the eastern and western planes dipping to the south and the central plane dipping to the north. The combination of scarp morphology, aftershock distribution and elevation data makes a strong case for rupture of fault planes in conjugate orientation during the 22 January 1988 Tennant Creek earthquakes. More than 20000 aftershocks have been recorded at Warramunga and activity continues to the present‐day with occasional shocks felt in the town of Tennant Creek and some recent off‐fault aftershocks located directly under the Warramunga seismic array. Stratigraphic relationships exposed in trenches excavated across the scarps suggest that during the Quaternary, a large earthquake ruptured the surface along one segment of the 1988 scarps.     

The February 11, 2004 Dead Sea earthquake ML = 5.2 in Jordan and its tectonic implication

A moderate-sized (M_w  5.3) earthquake occurred in the Dead Sea basin on February 11, 2004. A rigorous seismological analysis of the main shock and numerous aftershocks suggests that seismogenic structure was a secondary, antithetic fault within the Dead Sea fault system. The main shock is well located using all available regional seismic stations, and 43 aftershocks were precisely located relative to the main shock using a double difference algorithm. The first motion, focal mechanism for this earthquake demonstrates NNW–SSE and ENE–WSW striking nodal planes, and the aftershocks distribution is consistent with the latter — indicating a right-lateral sense of displacement. This orientation and sense of shear are consistent with similarly oriented geological faults around the Dead Sea basin — these structures are likely antithetic faults within the transform system. Although moderate in size, earthquakes that occur very close to the large Dead Sea fault system warrant consideration in the earthquake hazard assessment of the region: For example, owing to the proximity to the main fault, moderate earthquakes such as this may produce static changes in Coulomb stress along the main fault.     

主震和余震联合作用下复杂地基上重力坝的稳定性分析

大地震主震发生之后通常伴随强余震,多次余震下大坝的结构损伤破坏累积效应明显。为了解复杂地基上重力坝在主、余地震联合作用下的变形和稳定性,以紧邻汶川地震震中的某大型水利工程重力坝典型坝段A#坝段为研究对象进行研究分析。首先,仅考虑主震作用的影响,采用拟静力法模拟地震主震荷载,运用地质力学模型试验方法,研究主震作用下A#坝段坝与地基的变形特征和模型最终破坏形态;再考虑主、余地震联合作用的影响,采用动力法（即时程分析法）基于ANSYS有限元软件进行计算。研究结果表明,主震作用下模型试验与有限元计算结果基本一致,坝与地基均发生了大变形,且通过模型试验得到了A#坝段最终破坏形态;在主、余地震联合作用下,A#坝段坝与地基的变形的累积增加效应明显,变位特征值比主震作用下明显增大,其坝体最大变形处（坝顶）变位值增幅约为37%,对坝与地基稳定性影响较大。因此,对位于地震高发带复杂地基上的重力坝,应考虑主、余地震联合作用的影响,这样更利于工程的安全。     

On the Importance of Geolithological Features for the Estimate of the Site Response: The Case of Catania Metropolitan Area (Italy)

The evaluation of seismic site response in the urban area of Catania was tackled by selecting test areas having peculiar lithological and structural features, potentially favourable to large local amplifications of ground motion. The two selected areas are located in the historical downtown and in the northern part of Catania where the presence of a fault is evident. Site response was evaluated using spectral ratio technique taking the horizontal- to-vertical component ratio of ambient noise. Inferences from microtremor measurements are compared with results from synthetic accelerograms and response spectra computed at all drillings available for this area. Such method is particularly suitable in urban areas where the nature of the outcropping geological units is masked by city growth and anthropic intervention on the surface geology. The microtremor H/V spectral ratios evaluated at soft sites located within the downtown profile tend to be smaller than that usually reported in the literature for such soils. A tendency for amplifications to peaks near 2 Hz is observed only in some sites located on recent alluvial deposits. Evidences for amplifications of site effects (frequency range 4–8 Hz) were observed in the sampling sites located on the fault, with a rapid decrease of spectral amplitude just a few tenths of metres away from the discontinuity. Numerical simulations evidenced the importance of geolithological features at depth levels even greater than 20–30 m. Besides this, the results strongly confirm the importance of the subsurface geological conditions, in the estimate of seismic hazard at urban scale.     

23 October 2011 Van (Turkey) earthquake

An earthquake of Mw7.2 on 23 October 2011 occurred in the Van region of Eastern Turkey. The main shock and long series aftershocks caused significant damage and claimed 644 lives. The particular features and the lessons learned are covered.     

断层穿越斜坡场地效应分析:以绵竹九龙镇山前斜坡为例

2008年汶川MS8.0强震中频繁出现断层穿越的地震滑坡,除发震断层的地震特性外,其自身场地效应也会影响斜坡动力响应,甚至加剧斜坡失稳。本文以汶川极震区绵竹九龙镇山前斜坡为典型实例,根据余震作用下斜坡不同高程实测地震记录及地脉动测试结果,通过单点谱比法(H/V),获得斜坡地震动加速度随高程的放大系数和地脉动的频谱特征曲线,通过曲线对比分析发现: 1)斜坡两次典型余震PGA放大系数随高程先减小后增大,呈明显的凹形特征,凹形部位位于断层位置,其PGA放大系数约为斜坡底部测点0.4~1.0,坡顶测点的PGA放大系数则达到1.0~2.0倍。由于PGA放大系数是在断层位置出现的明显拐点,从地质上表明了断层场地效应明显; (2)各点NS/UD谱比普遍大于EW/UD谱比。断裂区域卓越频率为低频1Hz,小于其他测点的频率,对应谱比最大值高达3.0~4.0,高于其他测点谱比最大值。说明地表破裂处岩土体松散破碎,导致断层处的卓越频率较低,近场余震传播过来的高频地震波被断层隔断,地震加速度放大系数在该处发生了衰减,场地效应显著。本研究有助于增强断层场地对斜坡动力响应影响的认识。