Characteristics of amplitude and duration for near fault strong ground motion from the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan Earthquake

A great number of free-field ground motion records are obtained during the 1999 Chi-Chi, Taiwan, earthquake. Records from 130 near fault free-field stations within 55 km to the causative fault surface are used as database, and characteristics of earthquake peak ground acceleration, velocity, displacement and duration are analyzed. According to this study, near fault ground motions are strongly affected by distance to fault, fault rupture directivity, site condition, as well as thrust of hanging wall. Compared with empirical strong ground motion attenuation relations used in China, US and Japan, the PGAs and PGVs recorded in this earthquake are not as large as what we have expected for a large earthquake as magnitude 7.6. However, the largest PGV and PGD worldwide were recorded in this event, which are 292 cm/s and 867 cm, respectively. Caused by nonlinear site effects of soil, peaks and corresponding ratios on E-class site were markedly different from those on other sites. Just as observed in historic earthquakes, fault rupture directivity effects caused significant differences between peaks of ground motion of two horizontal components, but took very slight effects on the duration of ground motion. The significant velocity pulses associated with large PGVs and PGDs, as well as large permanent displacements, which may result from the large thrust of the hanging wall, became the outstanding character of this event. Based on this study, we point out that 3D waveform modeling is needed to understand and predict near fault ground motion of large earthquakes.     

A note on the M w 6.3 earthquake in Iceland on 29 May 2008 at 15:45 UTC

This preliminary study aims to investigate a M _w 6.3 earthquake that occurred in South Iceland on Thursday 29 May 2008 at 15:45 UTC. The epicentre was in the Olfus District between the towns of Selfoss and Hveragerdi. This study examines the data recorded and the damage observed immediately after the event. Horizontal accelerations of up to 80%g were recorded in the epicentral region and there is visual evidence that the vertical acceleration exceeded 1 g. The PGA data is compared to a ground motion estimation model developed for the South Iceland earthquakes in June 2000. In general the basic properties of this event are found to be similar to the characteristics of the South Iceland earthquakes in June 2000. The duration of strong-motion is short and the intensity attenuates rapidly with increasing distance. The earthquake action resisted by buildings in the near fault area is inspected through evaluation of elastic as well as inelastic response spectra. The vast majority of structures seemed to withstand the strong-motion fairly competently and without significant visual damage due firstly to the low-rise, predominantly reinforced concrete or timber, style of buildings. Secondly, the short duration of strong-motion contributed to the endurance of structures.     

2010年4月14日玉树Ms7.1地震加速度场预测

基于有限断层震源、且使用动力学拐角频率的地震动随机模拟方法预测玉树地震近断层的加速度场.首先,基于有限断层震源建模方法建立该次地震的震源模型;然后,基于上述地震动模拟方法预测玉树地震近断层191个节点的加速度时程.在此基础上,取每个结点的加速度峰值绘制该次地震的近断层加速度场.结果表明:(1)近断层加速度场主要受震源破裂过程和断层面上滑动分布的影响.断层面上凹凸体投影到地表的区域附近,加速度峰值最大,也是震害最严重的区域;(2)对于走滑地震,断层沿线附近的场地并非均会发生破裂方向性效应;发生破裂方向性效应的场地与凹凸体在断层面上的位置有关.     

Numerical simulation of strong ground motion for the M_s8.0 Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008

The Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008 is the most destructive earthquake in China in the past 30 years in terms of property damage and human losses. In order to understand the earthquake process and the geo-morphological factors affecting the seismic hazard, we simulated the strong ground mo-tion caused by the earthquake, incorporating three-dimensional (3D) earth structure, finite-fault rupture, and realistic surface topography. The simulated ground motions reveal that the fault rupture and basin structure control the overall pattern of the peak ground shaking. Large peak ground velocity (PGV) is distributed in two narrow areas: one with the largest PGV values is above the hanging wall of the fault and attributed to the locations of fault asperities and rupture directivity; the other is along the north-western margin of the Sichuan Basin and caused by both the directivity of fault rupture and the ampli-fication in the thick sediment basin. Rough topography above the rupture fault causes wave scattering, resulting in significantly larger peak ground motion on the apex of topographic relief than in the valley. Topography and scattering also reduce the wave energy in the forward direction of fault rupture but increase the PGV in other parts of the basin. These results suggest the need for a localized hazard as-sessment in places of rough topography that takes the topographic effects into account. Finally, had the earthquake started at the northeast end of the fault zone and ruptured to the southwest, Chengdu would have suffered a much stronger shaking than it experienced on 12 May, 2008.     

汶川M_S 8.0地震断层与地震灾害初步分析

对于特大地震近断层地震场的空间分布的复杂性学术界一直很关注,由于样本地震数量和资料的不足,至今还没有非常清晰的结论。通过参加汶川MS8.0地震的应急科学考察,对震中区和高烈度区断层破裂带附近的地震灾害情况进行了现场调查。文中以典型事例为主线介绍了现场考察的结果,结合既往的研究成果和汶川地震的震源特性,分析讨论了地表破裂带、地震动以及建筑物震害之间的关系。结果表明:1)地震断层发生强变形和地表破裂对建筑物的损害现象非常明显,对具有大震级发震危险的断裂带,今后应该考虑进行一定宽度的破裂避让或采取针对性的必要措施。2)初步探讨了紧邻断裂带的建筑物没有倒塌的可能机理,第一,出现地表破裂的大部分区域为基岩或坚硬的场地,场地条件相对较好;第二,存在导致地表破裂的浅部有效应力降和破裂速率相对较低,导致了1s附近的地震动相对低下的可能性     

尼泊尔8.1级地震建筑物震害遥感提取与分析

2015年4月25日尼泊尔发生的8.1级地震,造成重大人员伤亡与经济损失。在地震前、后灾区高分遥感影像分析处理基础上,结合现场实地调查,对灾区房屋建筑及其震害程度进行了遥感解译,编制了地震灾区房屋建筑震害分布图。结果分析表明:尼泊尔地震灾区影像上显示的建筑物震害分布与该区域房屋结构类型、主余震位置和区域活动构造分布密切相关。其中,房屋较为严重倒塌区域主要分布在8.1级主震和7.5级余震震中附近,但这两个区域并没有相连;居民点建筑物个别倒塌的居民地则连成一个区域。影像上显示的建筑物倒塌区域,与多数8级巨大地震比较,总体上极震区震害偏轻,但在南南西(垂直于破裂方向)上展布较宽。这一特征与引发该地震的印度与欧亚大陆板块边缘活动断裂在深部呈近似于平行地表的低角度断层面破裂引起的地震动能量在地表相对较宽而低的分布特征是一致的。     

Numerical simulation of strong ground motion for the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript>s</Subscript>8.0 Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008

The Wenchuan earthquake of 12 May 2008 is the most destructive earthquake in China in the past 30 years in terms of property damage and human losses. In order to understand the earthquake process and the geo-morphological factors affecting the seismic hazard, we simulated the strong ground motion caused by the earthquake, incorporating three-dimensional (3D) earth structure, finite-fault rupture, and realistic surface topography. The simulated ground motions reveal that the fault rupture and basin structure control the overall pattern of the peak ground shaking. Large peak ground velocity (PGV) is distributed in two narrow areas: one with the largest PGV values is above the hanging wall of the fault and attributed to the locations of fault asperities and rupture directivity; the other is along the northwestern margin of the Sichuan Basin and caused by both the directivity of fault rupture and the amplification in the thick sediment basin. Rough topography above the rupture fault causes wave scattering, resulting in significantly larger peak ground motion on the apex of topographic relief than in the valley. Topography and scattering also reduce the wave energy in the forward direction of fault rupture but increase the PGV in other parts of the basin. These results suggest the need for a localized hazard assessment in places of rough topography that takes the topographic effects into account. Finally, had the earthquake started at the northeast end of the fault zone and ruptured to the southwest, Chengdu would have suffered a much stronger shaking than it experienced on 12 May, 2008. Supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (Grant Nos. EAR 0738779 and OCE 0727919), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2004CB418404), and partially by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40521002)     

Ground motion characteristics and shaking damage of the 11th March 2011 M w9.0 Great East Japan earthquake

A catastrophic M _w9.0 earthquake and subsequent giant tsunami struck the Tōhoku and Kanto regions of Japan on 11th March 2011, causing tremendous casualties, massive damage to structures and infrastructure, and huge economic loss. This event has revealed weakness and vulnerability of urban cities and modern society in Japan, which were thought to be one of the most earthquake-prepared nations in the world. Nevertheless, recorded ground motion data from this event offer invaluable information and opportunity; their unique features include very strong short-period spectral content, long duration, and effects due to local asperities as well as direction of rupture/wave propagation. Aiming at gaining useful experience from this tragic event, Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) organised and dispatched a team to the Tōhoku region of Japan. During the EEFIT mission, ground shaking damage surveys were conducted in Sendai, Shirakawa, and Sukagawa, where the Japan Meteorological Agency intensity of 6+ was observed and instrumentally recorded ground motion data were available. The damage survey results identify the key factors for severe shaking damage, such as insufficient lateral reinforcement and detailing in structural columns from structural capacity viewpoint and rich spectral content of ground shaking in the intermediate vibration period range from seismic demand viewpoint. Importantly, inclusion of several ground motion parameters, such as nonlinear structural response, in shaking damage surveys, can improve the correlation of observed ground motion with shaking damage and therefore enhance existing indicators of potential damage.     

考虑地形起伏和障碍体破裂的汶川地震强地面运动数值模拟

2008年5月12日四川汶川地区发生M_W7.9地震,震中位置103.4°E,31.06°N.这次地震造成了以汶川、映秀为中心及其周边地域建筑物的严重破坏和人员的重大伤亡,且因为高山等地形复杂区域抢险救灾的艰巨性,为及时救援造成很大干扰.为更好理解地形因素对于强地面数值模拟结果的影响,建立了包含地形起伏影响及去除地形影响的两类模型.同时,依据震源破裂过程运动学反演结果,建立了包含障碍体破裂过程的震源滑动模型,实现断层分段、空间倾角以及滑移角的动态设定.基于动力学的地震动模拟方法,通过对地震波传播过程的数值计算和后处理分析,模拟由地震激发的区域强地面运动过程.结果显示：（1）强震动台站的断层距对地形效应具有放大或抑制作用,距离断层破裂带越近,地形效应越明显,反之,距离越远,则地形效应越微弱;（2）因为地形高差与障碍体的影响,地震造成的峰值可能出现在震中区域之外;（3）考虑地形影响模型的地表峰值速度（PGV）区域位于汶川与北川附近;而未考虑地形影响模型的PGV区域位于灌县—江油断层的后半段,处清平、安县附近;对汶川地震近实时强地面运动波场的模拟、峰值图谱的圈定及未来大地震强地面运动特征的预测都有重要指示意义.     

芦山地震地震动上下盘效应研究

2013年4月20日的芦山7.0级地震是继2008年5月12日汶川8.0级特大地震之后,发生在龙门山断裂带上的又一次大震级逆冲型地震.与汶川地震相比,芦山地震的发震断层没有地表出露,断层的滑动角更大,其逆冲性质更强烈.本文挑选了芦山地震中断层距小于200km的45条强震动记录,基于地震动衰减关系进行统计分析,对比了上盘和下盘台站地震动参数相对于衰减关系的对数残差.结果表明：芦山地震的上下盘效应明显,近断层上盘地震动的高频成分要高于同断层距的下盘;上盘地震动衰减要明显快于下盘.地震动衰减关系用简单的一个距离参数很难描述近场断层尺寸效应的影响,也很难模拟地震动上下盘效应.因此,在近场强地面运动模拟中,应多考虑有限断层模型,以模拟断层的尺寸效应.     

Coseismic surface rupture characteristics and earthquake damage analysis of the eastern end of the 2021 MS 7.4 Madoi (Qinghai) earthquake

At 02:04 on May 22, 2021, an M_S 7.4 earthquake occurred in Madoi County in Qinghai Province, China. This earthquake is the largest seismic event in China since the 2008 M_S 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake. Thus, it is critical to investigate surface deformation and damage in time to accurately understand the seismogenic structure of the Madoi earthquake and the seismogenic capacity of the blocks in this region. This study focuses on the Xuema Village, located at the eastern end of the coseismic surface ruptures produced by the event, and assesses the deformation and seismic damage in this area based on field surveys, UAV photogrammetry, and ground penetrating radar (GPR). The results indicate that the rupture scale is substantially smaller at the eastern end of the rupture zone compared to other segments. En echelon type shear tensile fractures are concentrated in a width range of 50–100 m, and the width of single fractures ranges from 20 to 30 cm. In contrast, the degree of seismic damage significantly increases at this site. All of the brick and timber houses are damaged or collapsed, while the steel frame structures and the color steel houses are slightly damaged. More than 80% of the bridge decks on the Changma River Bridge collapse, similar to the terraces along the Youerqu and Changma Rivers and the cut slopes of Provincial Highway S205. We infer that the seismogenic fault of the Madoi earthquake exerts a tail effect in this segment. The tension zone has led to a reduction at the eastern end of the rupture zone, causing shaking damage. Local topography and buildings without earthquake-resistant construction along the strike of the rupture zone have undergone different levels of seismic damage.     

Building over faults: A procedure for evaluating risk

This paper examines the risk from fault offset to a building constructed over the surface trace of a fault. An expression relating the magnitude of surface offset to its return period is derived using classical seismic hazard analysis. The risk from fault offset is compared with that due to ground shaking by comparing offsets and MM intensities with equal likelihoods of occurrence. The comparison of risks is useful since it enables risk from fault movement to be related to levels of community acceptance as expressed in building codes for design against ground shaking effects. Relative risk is independent of fault activity rate, but does depend on regional constants, principally those describing the attenuation of MM intensities. For a site over an isolated fault in the Wellington, New Zealand region the risk of damage from fault rupture appears to be about equal to that from ground shaking for buildings with poor earthquake resistance (e.g. unreinforced masonry structures). But for structures designed to have some resistance to ground shaking, the risk due to fault rupture is considerably greater than that due to ground shaking.     

Characteristics of the strong ground motions from the 6 April 2009 L’Aquila earthquake,Italy

An M_w 6.25 earthquake occurred on April 6, 2009 at 03:33 a.m. local time, in the Abruzzo region (Central Italy), close to the city of L’Aquila. The earthquake ruptured a North-West (NW)–South-East (SE) oriented normal fault dipping toward the South-West (SW), with the city of L’Aquila lying a few kilometers away on the hanging wall.The main shock has been recorded by fifty-eight accelerometric stations: the highest number of digital recordings ever obtained in Italy for a single earthquake, one of the best-recorded earthquakes with a normal fault mechanism. Very high values of peak ground acceleration (0.3–0.65 g) were observed close to the center of L’Aquila (6 stations at zero JB distance from the fault). The earthquake caused severe loss of lives (299 victims and 1500 injured) and damage (about 18000 unusable buildings) in the epicentral area.In this study we analyze the ground motion characteristics of both the main shock in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV), and pseudo-acceleration response spectra (5% of damping ratio). In particular, we compare the pseudo-acceleration response spectra for horizontal directions with the EC8 design spectrum and the new Italian building code (NTC08). In order to understand the characteristics of the ground motions induced by L’Aquila earthquake, we also study the source-related effects and site response of the strong motion stations that recorded the seismic sequence. A novel method is used for the analysis of inter-station and site-specific H/V spectral ratios for the main event and for 12 aftershocks.     

2016年新西兰MS8.0地震震源及强地面运动特征分析

2016年11月13日新西兰发生M_S8.0地震,该地震造成2人死亡,20多人受伤,仅10余栋房屋严重受损,致灾特征较轻. 本文针对新西兰M_S8.0地震的震源参数特征,对该地震的震源过程进行了分析. 结果表明,该地震的地震波辐射能量和视应力均偏低,震源破裂过程为应力上调模式,发震断层破裂相对充分,余震相对丰富.结合新一代衰减关系(NGA)的分析结果显示,该地震的强地面运动峰值加速度(PGA)观测记录整体偏低,与基于震源参数对该地震PGA的理论估算结果较为一致. 进一步选取10 km范围内6个台站的强震观测记录进行比较研究,初步认为影响该地震近断层区域PGA高值的因素主要是断层破裂面上最大滑动集中区的位置,而非主震的初始破裂位置. 综合研究表明,新西兰M_S8.0地震的强地面运动主要受到应力上调模式和最大滑动集中区位置的影响,致灾特征较轻则可能源于峰值加速度偏低和地表破坏较大地区的人口相对稀少.      

DISCUSSION ON ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH SETBACK DISTANCE FROM ACTIVE FAULT

Living with disaster is an objective reality that human must face especially in China. A large number of earthquake case studies, such as the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, 2010 Yushu earthquake, 2014 Ludian earthquake, have demonstrated that earthquake heavy damage and casualties stem from ground-faulting or rupturing along seismogenic active fault, near-fault high ground accelerations and building catastrophic structural failure. Accordingly, avoidance of active faults may be an important measure to effectively reduce earthquake hazard, which may encounter in the future, but how to avoid an active fault and how much a setback distance from the active fault is required to ensure that the ground faulting and rupturing has no any direct impact on buildings. This has been the focus of debate both for domestic and foreign scholars. This paper, first of all, introduces the definition of active fault. Then, quantitative analyses are done of the high localization of earthquake surface ruptures and relationship between the localized feature of the coseismic surface ruptures and building damages associated with the measured widths of the historical earthquake surface rupture zones, and an average sstatistic width is obtained to be 30m both for the earthquake surface rupture zones and heavy damage zones along the seismogenic fault. Besides, the widths of the surface rupture zones and spatial distribution of the building damages of the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake and 2008 Wenchuan earthquake have also been analyzed to reveal a hanging-wall effect:Width of surface rupture zone or building damage zone on the hanging-wall is 2 or 3 times wider than that on its foot-wall for a dip-slip fault. Based on these latest knowledge learnt above, issues on avoidance object, minimum setback distance, location requirement of active fault for avoidance, and anti-faulting design for buildings in the surface rupture zone are further discussed. Finally, we call for national and local legislatures to accelerate the legislation for active fault survey and avoidance to normalize fault hazard zoning for general land-use planning and building construction. This preventive measure is significantly important to improve our capability of earthquake disaster reduction.     

Northridge, California, earthquake of 1994: density of red-tagged buildings versus peak horizontal velocity and intensity of shaking

The 1994 Northridge earthquake occurred underneath a densely populated metropolitan area, and was recorded by over 200 strong motion stations in the metropolitan area and vicinity. This rare coincidence made it an ideal case to study, in statistical sense, the correlation of damage to structures with the level of strong shaking, in particular with respect to (1) instrumental characteristics of shaking and (2) the reported site intensity scale. In this paper, statistics for the incidence of red-tagged building in 1 × 1 km² blocks in San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles is presented and analyzed, as function of the observed peak ground velocity or the local intensity of shaking. The ‘observed’ peak velocity is estimated from contour maps based on the recorded strong motion. The intensity of shaking is estimated from the published intensity map and from our modification of this map to make it more consistent with observed high damage to buildings in some localized areas. Finally, empirical scaling equations are derived which predict the average density of red-tagged buildings (per km²) as a function of peak ground velocity or site intensity of shaking. These scaling equations are specific to the region studied, and apply to Wooden Frame Construction, typical of post World War II period, which is the prevailing building type in the sample studied. These can be used to predict the density of red-tagged buildings per km² in San Fernando Valley and in Los Angeles for a scenario earthquake or for an ensemble of earthquakes during specified exposure, within the framework of probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. Such predictions will be useful to government officials for emergency planning, to the insurance industry for realistic assessment of insured losses, and to structural engineers for assessment of the overall performance of this type of buildings.     

基于动力学震源模型的三维沉积盆地直下型断层地震动模拟

沉积盆地与近断层地震共同作用会增加地震破坏的风险水平,尤其是盆地下方直下型断层发震情况。采用动力学震源模型刻画断层破裂发震过程,开展沉积盆地直下型断层谱元法地震动模拟研究,探讨不同断层面初始剪应力和成核区位置下三维沉积盆地地表响应规律。研究结果表明,断层面应力降对盆地地表地震动的影响显著,在断层面强度一定的情况下,随着初始剪应力的增大,即应力降增大,盆地地表峰值响应增大,原因在于应力降的改变影响了断层破裂释放能量,进而引起断层破裂速度改变,最终导致盆地地表响应发生变化;改变断层面成核区位置会对盆地内部地震动分布规律产生影响,当成核区位置从断层中间向断层左侧移动时,盆地左侧地震动逐渐减小,而右侧地震动逐渐增大,最终表现为盆地右侧地震动显著高于盆地左侧,原因在于改变成核区位置后,导致近断层地震动的方向性效应发生变化。     

2008年汶川大地震中北川地区极重震害的物理机制研究

2008年汶川特大地震中北川地区受灾特别严重,而该地区远离汶川主震震中超过100多千米.尽管汶川地震发生已近10年,但这种不正常现象一直困扰着地学工作者,至今没有给出合理的解答.为此,本文利用有限单元方法模拟汶川地震的主要发震断裂带（即：映秀—北川断层）的自发破裂动力学过程.模型中,几乎平直的映秀—北川断裂带在高川地区发生拐折,形成高川右弯.模拟结果显示,破裂沿着映秀—北川断裂带向东北方向前行,当破裂前端到达高川右弯时,破裂形态发生剧烈变化,破裂传播速度由亚剪切破裂突然转化为超剪切破裂.与断层阶区促进超剪切破裂明显不同的是,这种超剪切破裂形态的转化不需要时间停顿.由于超剪切地震破裂的产生,破裂辐射的地震波发生相长干涉,形成马赫波,地震动被大大放大.计算给出的强地面运动峰值加速度在北川地区不仅数值高,而且高值区分布范围广,造成了北川地区的震害特别严重.模拟结果还表明,若高川右弯不存在（即映秀—北川断层面为平直）,则北川地区的断层不会形成超剪切破裂;如果高川右弯附近断层的不连续程度较大,则破裂会被终止;这些情况下,北川地区的震害都没有那么严重.所以,高川右弯的几何形状对于超剪切破裂的形成起着决定性作用,也是造成远离震中的北川地区震害特别严重的主要原因.因此,分析发震断层几何对于研究震源动力学过程及震害评估等有着非常重要的科学意义和实际应用价值.     

Rapid earthquake hazard and loss assessment for Euro-Mediterranean region

The almost-real time estimation of ground shaking and losses after a major earthquake in the Euro-Mediterranean region was performed in the framework of the Joint Research Activity 3 (JRA-3) component of the EU FP6 Project entitled “Network of Research Infra-structures for European Seismology, NERIES”. This project consists of finding the most likely location of the earthquake source by estimating the fault rupture parameters on the basis of rapid inversion of data from on-line regional broadband stations. It also includes an estimation of the spatial distribution of selected site-specific ground motion parameters at engineering bedrock through region-specific ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) or physical simulation of ground motion. By using the Earthquake Loss Estimation Routine (ELER) software, the multi-level methodology developed for real time estimation of losses is capable of incorporating regional variability and sources of uncertainty stemming from GMPEs, fault finiteness, site modifications, inventory of physical and social elements subjected to earthquake hazard and the associated vulnerability relationships.     

Ground motion characteristics of the Chi‐Chi earthquake of 21 September 1999

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ground motion characteristics of the Chi‐Chi earthquake (21 September 1999) as well as the interpretation of structural damage due to this earthquake. Over 300 strong motion records were collected from the strong motion network of Taiwan for this earthquake. A lot of near‐field ground motion data were collected. They provide valuable information on the study of ground motion characteristics of pulse‐like near‐field ground motions as well as fault displacement. This study includes: attenuation of ground motion both in PGA and spectral amplitude, principal direction, elastic and inelastic response analysis of a SDOF system subjected to near‐field ground motion collected from this event. The distribution of spectral acceleration and spectral velocity along the Chelungpu fault is discussed. Based on the mode decomposition method the intrinsic mode function of ground acceleration of this earthquake is examined. A long‐period wave with large amplitude was observed in most of the near‐source ground acceleration. The seismic demand from the recorded near‐field ground motion is also investigated with an evaluation of seismic design criteria of Taiwan Building Code. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.