Empirical ground-motion relations using moderate earthquakes recorded by Medellín–Aburrá Valley (Colombia) strong-motion networks

We tested attenuation relations obtained for different regions of the world to verify their suitability to predict strong-motion data recorded by Medellín and Aburrá Valley Accelerographic Networks. We used as comparison criteria, the average of the difference between the observed and the predicted data as a function of epicenter distance and its standard deviation. We also used the approach developed by Sherbaum et al. (Bull Seism Soc Am 94:2164–2185, 2004) that provides a method to evaluate the overall goodness-of-fit of ground-motion prediction equations. The predictive models selected use a generic focal depth. We found that this parameter has an important influence in the ground-motion predictions and must be taken into account as an independent variable. We also found important to characterize the local soil amplification to improve the attenuation relations. We found empirical relations for peak horizontal acceleration PGA and velocity PGV based on the Kamiyama and Yanagisawa (Soils Found 26:16–32, 1986) approach. $$\begin{aligned} \log _{10} (PGA)=0.5886M_L -1.0902\log _{10}(R)-0.0035H+C_{st}\pm 0.\text{29} \end{aligned}$$ $$\begin{aligned} \log _{10} (PGV)=0.7255M_L -1.8812\log _{10}(R)-0.0016H+C_{st}\pm 0.36 \end{aligned}$$ where PGA is measured in cm/s $^{2}$ and PGV in cm/s, $M_{L}$ is local magnitude in the range 2.8–6.5, $R$ is epicentral distance up to 290 km, $H$ is focal depth in km and $C_{st}$ is a coefficient that accounts for the site response due to soil conditions of each recording station. The introduction of focal depth and local site conditions as independent variables, minimize the residuals and the dispersion of the predicted data. We conclude that $H$ and $C_{st}$ are sensitive parameters, having a strong influence on the strong-motion predictions. Using the same functional form, we also propose an empirical relation for the root mean square acceleration a $_\mathrm{rms}$ : $$\begin{aligned} \log _{10} \left( {a_{rms} } \right)=0.4797M_L -1.1665\log _{10} (R)-0.00201H+C_{st}\pm 0.40 \end{aligned}$$ where a $_\mathrm{rms}$ is measured in cm/s $^{2}$ , from the S-wave arrival and using a window length equal to the rupture duration. The other variables are the same as those for PGA and PGV. The site correction coefficients $C_{st}$ found for PGA, PGV and a $_\mathrm{rms}$ show a similar trend indicating a good correlation with the soil conditions of the recording sites.     

Engineering Ground Motion Modeling in the Near-Source Regime Using the Specific Barrier Model for Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis

—The specific barrier model is used for the first time to simulate ground motion accelerations for the purpose of probabilistic seismic hazard analyses at sites near a dominant fault system. It incorporates the simulation of fault geometry and the relationship between the stress drop and seismic moment to estimate the number of cracks on the fault for the specific barrier model. Radiated direct shear waves are established following Boore’s (1983) procedure. The simulated peak ground accelerations (PGA) are then calibrated by strong-motion data. Basically, the model is of uniform source, and the directivity of the source is not taken into consideration. The results show that the calibrated PGA values are not sensitive to the relationship between the stress drop and seismic moment. However, the calibrated PGA values may increase about 20 percent for sites near the fault when the cut-off frequency,?f _max?, is raised from 5 Hz to 10 Hz. The variability of the simulated ground motion is, in general, smaller than that of the empirical strong-motion data shown in the literature. This may be improved by adding randomness into the parameter of ?f _max and uncertainties into the empirical relationships adopted in the model. The simulated attenuation curves may be used to judge which types of conventional attenuation equations are better at representing the attenuation of PGA for sites near the fault, especially for large earthquake events.     

Ground-motion Attenuation Relation from Strong-motion Records of the 2001 Mw 7.7 Bhuj Earthquake Sequence (2001–2006), Gujarat, India

Predictive relations are developed for peak ground acceleration (PGA) from the engineering seismoscope (SRR) records of the 2001 M_w 7.7 Bhuj earthquake and 239 strong-motion records of 32 significant aftershocks of 3.1 ≤ M_w ≤ 5.6 at epicentral distances of 1 ≤ R ≤ 288 km. We have taken advantage of the recent increase in strong-motion data at close distances to derive new attenuation relation for peak horizontal acceleration in the Kachchh seismic zone, Gujarat. This new analysis uses the Joyner-Boore’s method for a magnitude-independent shape, based on geometrical spreading and anelastic attenuation, for the attenuation curve. The resulting attenuation equation is,

Regional adjustment factors for three NGA-West2 ground-motion prediction equations to be applicable in northern Iran

Ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) are essential tools in seismic hazard studies to estimate ground motions generated by potential seismic sources. Global GMPEs which are based on well-compiled global strong-motion databanks, have certain advantages over local GMPEs, including more sophisticated parameters in terms of distance, faulting style, and site classification but cannot guarantee the local/region-specific propagation characteristics of shear wave (e.g., geometric spreading behavior, quality factor) for different seismic regions at larger distances (beyond about 80 km). Here, strong-motion records of northern Iran have been used to estimate the propagation characteristics of shear wave and determine the region-specific adjustment parameters for three of the NGA-West2 GMPEs to be applicable in northern Iran. The dataset consists of 260 three-component records from 28 earthquakes, recorded at 139 stations, with moment magnitudes between 4.9 and 7.4, horizontal distance to the surface projection of the rupture (R _JB) less than 200 km, and average shear-wave velocity over the top 30 m of the subsurface (V _S30) between 155 and 1500 m/s. The paper also presents the ranking results for three of the NGA-West2 GMPEs against strong motions recorded in northern Iran, before and after adjustment for region-dependent attenuation characteristics. The ranking is based on the likelihood and log-likelihood methods (LH and LLH) proposed by Scherbaum et al. (Bull Seismol Soc Am 94: 2164–2185, 2004, Bull Seismol Soc Am 99, 3234–3247, 2009, respectively), the Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient (Nash and Sutcliffe, J Hydrol 10:282–290, 1970), and the EDR method of Kale and Akkar (Bull Seismol Soc Am 103:1069–1084, 2012). The best-fitting models over the whole frequency range are the ASK14 and BSSA14 models. Taking into account that the models’ performances were boosted after applying the adjustment factors, at least moderate regional variation of ground motions is highlighted. The regional adjustment based on the Iranian database reveals an upward trend (indicated as high Q factor) for the selected database. Further investigation to determine adjustment factors based on a much richer database of the Iranian strong-motion records is of utmost important for seismic hazard and risk analysis studies in northern Iran, containing major cities including the capital city of Tehran.     

Evaluation of site effects on ground motions based on equivalent linear site response analysis and liquefaction potential in Chennai,south India

We study local site effects with detailed geotechnical and geophysical site characterization to evaluate the site-specific seismic hazard for the seismic microzonation of the Chennai city in South India. A Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE) of magnitude 6.0 is considered based on the available seismotectonic and geological information of the study area. We synthesized strong ground motion records for this target event using stochastic finite-fault technique, based on a dynamic corner frequency approach, at different sites in the city, with the model parameters for the source, site, and path (attenuation) most appropriately selected for this region. We tested the influence of several model parameters on the characteristics of ground motion through simulations and found that stress drop largely influences both the amplitude and frequency of ground motion. To minimize its influence, we estimated stress drop after finite bandwidth correction, as expected from an M6 earthquake in Indian peninsula shield for accurately predicting the level of ground motion. Estimates of shear wave velocity averaged over the top 30 m of soil (V_S30) are obtained from multichannel analysis of surface wave (MASW) at 210 sites at depths of 30 to 60 m below the ground surface. Using these V_S30 values, along with the available geotechnical information and synthetic ground motion database obtained, equivalent linear one-dimensional site response analysis that approximates the nonlinear soil behavior within the linear analysis framework was performed using the computer program SHAKE2000. Fundamental natural frequency, Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) at surface and rock levels, response spectrum at surface level for different damping coefficients, and amplification factors are presented at different sites of the city. Liquefaction study was done based on the V_S30 and PGA values obtained. The major findings suggest show that the northeast part of the city is characterized by (i) low V_S30 values (<?200 m/s) associated with alluvial deposits, (ii) relatively high PGA value, at the surface, of about 0.24 g, and (iii) factor of safety and liquefaction below unity at three sites (no. 12, no. 37, and no. 70). Thus, this part of the city is expected to experience damage for the expected M6 target event.     

熊本MW7.0地震近场地表与井下地震动对比研究

选取日本熊本M_W7.0地震断层距小于200 km的82个近场KiK-net台站记录到的三分量记录数据进行基线校正后,获得近场地面运动水平向的峰值加速度PGA、峰值速度PGV及周期为0.2,1,2,3,5和10 s的加速度反应谱数据,并与美国NGA-West2的地震动预测模型相比较,研究熊本地震地表和井下地震动峰值及反应谱的衰减特征,通过比较KiK-net台站地表与井下记录结果,探讨浅层场地放大效应的影响。研究结果表明:① 对于井下观测结果,NGA-West2的地震动模型对PGA和短周期0.2 s的反应谱的预测值与井下观测值相比整体偏高,而PGV和较长周期地震动（如1,2和3 s的反应谱）的预测值与井下观测值较为吻合;② 地表观测记录的PGA,PGV和周期为0.2—3 s的反应谱残差整体上随v_S30对数值的增大呈线性减小的趋势,而周期为5 s和10 s的长周期部分,其场地效应的影响很小;③ 相对于井下记录,地表记录的地震动PGA,PGV和周期为0.2,1和2 s的反应谱有明显的放大,这种放大作用随浅层场地剪切波速的增大而减小;周期为3,5和10 s时长周期地震动的放大效应很小。      

2020年云南省巧家县M_S 5.0地震强震动记录初步分析

2020年5月18日云南省巧家县发生M_S5.0地震,中国数字强震动台网的13个强震台站和昭通简易烈度计示范项目建设的43个烈度计台站,共接收168条强震动记录,经常规处理,绘制震区加速度峰值等值线图,并与云南地区常用地震动衰减关系进行对比,分析加速度峰值较大的几个台站频谱特性,计算地震动能量持时,讨论中小地震中高加速度峰值/低震害现象的成因,得到以下结论:(1) PGA等值线图形状较为平滑,其长轴呈NW—SE向展布;(2)云南地区常用地震动衰减关系预测值总体衰减趋势与观测值一致,但在近场(0—30 km)时,预测值基本偏小;(3)加速度峰值较大的几个台站记录主频集中在1—5 Hz;(4)小河镇台记录的能量持时较短,说明能量衰减较快,属脉冲型记录,不会对建筑物造成较大破坏。     

Stepwise joint inversion of surface wave dispersion,Rayleigh wave ZH ratio,and receiver function data for 1D crustal shear wave velocity structure

Accurate determination of seismic velocity of the crust is important for understanding regional tectonics and crustal evolution of the Earth. We propose a stepwise joint linearized inversion method using surface wave dispersion, Rayleigh wave ZH ratio (i.e., ellipticity), and receiver function data to better resolve 1D crustal shear wave velocity (v _S) structure. Surface wave dispersion and Rayleigh wave ZH ratio data are more sensitive to absolute variations of shear wave speed at depths, but their sensitivity kernels to shear wave speeds are different and complimentary. However, receiver function data are more sensitive to sharp velocity contrast (e.g., due to the existence of crustal interfaces) and v _P/v _S ratios. The stepwise inversion method takes advantages of the complementary sensitivities of each dataset to better constrain the v _S model in the crust. We firstly invert surface wave dispersion and ZH ratio data to obtain a 1D smooth absolute v _S model and then incorporate receiver function data in the joint inversion to obtain a finer v _S model with better constraints on interface structures. Through synthetic tests, Monte Carlo error analyses, and application to real data, we demonstrate that the proposed joint inversion method can resolve robust crustal v _S structures and with little initial model dependency.     

与观测方向无关的水平地震动参数计算方法

强震动记录的使用通常不考虑观测方向对于水平地震动参数计算的影响。文中以2008年汶川Ms8.0级地震中绵竹清平台获取的强震动记录为研究对象,对记录进行水平向旋转以模拟观测方向的变化,分析水平向峰值加速度PGA、峰值速度PGV、相对持时DR、绝对持时DA及谱加速度PSA随观测方向的变化情况。结果表明,PGA、PGV及PSA的计算较大依赖于观测方向,而DR和DA则受观测方向影响较小。为此文中提出了一种与观测方向无关的水平地震动参数计算方法,对于计算诸如PGA、PGV等与周期无关的地震动参数时不考虑周期独立;而对于计算诸如PSA等与周期有关的地震动参数时考虑周期独立。     

Correlation of JMA instrumental seismic intensity with strong motion parameters

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) seismic intensity (I_JMA) has been used as a measure of strong shaking for many years in Japan, and it necessitates to know the correlation between the JMA seismic intensity and other strong motion indices, e.g. Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA), Peak Ground Velocity (PGV), and Spectrum Intensity (SI). In this study, two strong motion data sets were selected; in which, the first set consists of 879 three‐components non‐liquefied records selected from 13 major earthquake events that occurred in Japan, the United States, and Taiwan, and the second set consists of 17 liquefied records selected from 7 major earthquake events that occurred in Japan and the United States. The JMA seismic intensity and other ground motion indices were calculated using the selected data sets. The relationships between the JMA seismic intensity and PGA, PGV, and SI were then derived performing a two‐stage linear regression analysis. Results from the analysis show that the JMA instrumental seismic intensity shows higher correlation with SI than PGA or PGV, and it shows the highest correlation with the parameters such as the combination of PGA and SI or the product of PGA and SI. The obtained relationships are also compared with the ones obtained by other studies, which may be useful for the disaster management agencies in Japan and deployment of new SI‐sensors that monitor both PGA and SI. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An investigation of analysis of variance as a tool for exploring regional differences in strong ground motions

The statistical technique known as analysis of variance is applied to a large set of European strong-motion data to investigate whether strong ground motions show a regional dependence. This question is important when selecting strong-motion records for the derivation of ground motion prediction equations and also when choosing strong-motion records from one geographical region for design purposes in another. Five regions with much strong-motion data (the Caucasus region, central Italy, Friuli, Greece and south Iceland) are investigated here. For the magnitude and distance range where there are overlapping data from the five areas (2.50 M_s 5.50, 0 d 35 km) and consequently analysis of variance can be performed, there is little evidence for a regional dependence of ground motions. There is a lack of data from moderate and large magnitude earthquakes (M_s > 5.5) so analysis of variance cannot be performed there. Since there is uncertainty regarding scaling ground motions from small to large magnitudes whether ground motions from large earthquakes are significantly different in different parts of Europe is not known. Analysis of variance has the ability to complement other techniques for the assessment of regional dependence of ground motions.     

2013年8月新疆乌鲁木齐市5.1级地震强震动记录及特征分析

2013年8月30日乌鲁木齐市发生M_S5.1地震,乌鲁木齐烈度速报台网有32个强震动台触发获得了主震加速度记录。选取23条强震动记录进行常规处理,统计强震动记录数量随震中距分布,对比分析此次地震峰值加速度(PGA)与新疆土层加速度衰减关系;并利用强震动数据对此次地震进行定位,定位结果对应台站震中距与到时线性度较好;最后分析了典型强震动台站记录特性与建筑物震害及工程震害相关性。     

Probabilistic aftershock hazard analysis,two case studies in West and Northwest Iran

Aftershock hazard maps contain the essential information for search and rescue process, and re-occupation after a main-shock. Accordingly, the main purposes of this article are to study the aftershock decay parameters and to estimate the expected high-frequency ground motions (i.e., Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA)) for recent large earthquakes in the Iranian plateau. For this aim, the Ahar-Varzaghan doublet earthquake (August 11, 2012; M _N =6.5, M _N =6.3), and the Ilam (Murmuri) earthquake (August 18, 2014 ; M _N =6.2) have been selected. The earthquake catalogue has been collected based on the Gardner and Knopoff (Bull Seismol Soc Am 64(5), 1363-1367, 1974) temporal and spatial windowing technique. The magnitude of completeness and the seismicity parameters (a,??b) and the modified Omori law parameters (P,??K,??C) have been determined for these two earthquakes in the 14, 30, and 60 days after the mainshocks. Also, the temporal changes of parameters (a,??b,??P,??K,??C) have been studied. The aftershock hazard maps for the probability of exceedance (33%) have been computed in the time periods of 14, 30, and 60 days after the Ahar-Varzaghan and Ilam (Murmuri) earthquakes. For calculating the expected PGA of aftershocks, the regional and global ground motion prediction equations have been utilized. Amplification factor based on the site classes has also been implied in the calculation of PGA. These aftershock hazard maps show an agreement between the PGAs of large aftershocks and the forecasted PGAs. Also, the significant role of b parameter in the Ilam (Murmuri) probabilistic aftershock hazard maps has been investigated.     

Ground motion attenuation relation for small to moderate earthquakes in Fujian region, China

We collect 1974 broad-band velocity records of 94 earthquakes (ML=2.8~4.9, △=13~462 km) from seven stations of the Fujian Seismic Network from March 1999 to March 2007. Using real-time simulation, we obtain the corresponding acceleration and then adopt different models to analyze the seismic data. As a result, a new attenuation relationship between PGA and PGV of the small and moderate earthquakes on bedrock site in Fujian region is established. The Yongchun earthquake occurred recently verifies the attenuation relationship well. This paper provides a new approach for studying the ground motion attenuation relationship using velocity records.     

四川、甘肃地区VS30经验估计研究

目前我国建筑工程抗震设计规范中对于工程场地条件的判断依据主要是地表以下20m深度范围内土层的等效剪切波速,简称VS20。相比之下,国外应用较广的是地表以下30m深度范围内的等效剪切波速,简称VS30。这种差别导致国内科研工作者在应用国外的地震工程、工程抗震模型时经常遇到对场地条件描述不准确的困难。为了解决这个问题,本文根据147个四川、甘肃地区国家强震动台站20m左右深度的钻孔剪切波速数据,利用延拓方法、场地分类统计方法以及基于地形特征的VS30估计方法研究各台站VS30与VS20的经验关系,对比发现基于速度梯度延拓的结果最为可取。参考国际上通用的Geomatrix Classification场地分类标准,最终得到四川、甘肃地区各类场地的平均VS30,此结果可以为缺乏钻孔数据的工程场地的VS30估计提供参考。     

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.     

Characterization of forward-directivity ground motions in the near-fault region

Ground motions close to a ruptured fault resulting from forward-directivity are significantly different than other ground motions. These pulse-type motions can place severe demands on structures in the near-fault region. To aid in the characterization of these special type of ground motions, a simplified parameterization is proposed based on a representative amplitude, pulse period, and number of significant pulses in the velocity–time history. Empirical relationships were developed for estimating the peak ground velocity (PGV) and period of the velocity pulse (T_v) of available forward-directivity motions. PGV in the near-fault region varies significantly with magnitude and distance. Additionally, the PGV for soil sites are systematically larger than those at rocks sites. T_v is a function of moment magnitude and site conditions with most of the energy being concentrated within a narrow-period band centered on the pulse period. Hence, lower magnitude events, which produce lower pulse periods, might produce more damaging ground motions for the stiff structures more common in urban areas.