Preliminary results of strong ground motion simulation for the Lushan earthquake of 20 April 2013, China

The earthquake occurred in Lushan County on 20 April, 2013 caused heavy casualty and economic loss. In order to understand how the seismic energy propagates during this earthquake and how it causes the seismic haz- ard, we simulated the strong ground motions from a rep- resentative kinematic source model by Zhang et al. （Chin J Geophys 56（4）：1408-1411, 2013） for this earthquake. To include the topographic effects, we used the curved grids finite difference method by Zhang and Chen （Geophys J Int 167（1）：337-353, 2006）, Zhang et al. （Geophys J Int 190（1）：358-378, 2012） to implement the simulations. Our results indicated that the majority of seismic energy con- centrated in the epicentral area and the vicinal Sichuan Basin, causing the XI and VII degree intensity. Due to the strong topographic effects of the mountain, the seismic intensity in the border area across the northeastern of Boxing County to the Lushan County also reached IX degree. Moreover, the strong influence of topography caused the amplifications of ground shaking at the moun- tain ridge, which is easy to cause landslides. These results are quite similar to those observed in the Wenchuan earthquake of 2008 occurred also in a strong topographic mountain area.     

Spatial coherence of seismic wave fields across an alluvial valley (weak motion)

The loss of coherence of seismic waves, even over small distances, can become significant and consequently important for engineering applications. This coherence loss depends on several parameters (frequency, inter-station distance), but their dependencies are not well understood yet. We show the results of a detailed analysis of the spatial variability of the coherence between two signals. This analysis is based on a simple model which is an exponential function of inter-station distance and frequency. Data from a temporary network of 36 weak-motion instruments installed at the EURO-SEISTEST site, north-east of Thessaloniki (Greece), is used in this work. The data offers the unique possibility to study the loss of coherence over a wide range of distances, as the inter-station distances are between 8 m and 5488 m. We test the influence on the coherence of the length of the time-window of the signals, of the type of the waves present in the time-window and of the common energy of the signals. We also show that, at least at this particular site, the loss of coherence with distance is probably marked by a "cross over" distance, distinguishing two different ranges: one for inter-station distances up to 100 m and the other above 100 m. Finally, we find that the coherence determined from noise recordings behaves in a rather similar way to the one determined from coda-waves and more stationary (longer) signals. Therefore, noise can be useful for a rough, but quick estimation of the loss of coherence, at least for inter-station distances larger than 100 m.     

Seismic Hazard Assessment in the Tihamat Asir Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

The occurrence of earthquakes, faulting of Pleistocene sediments, uplifting of Pleistocene coral reefs, recent incised wadis and lava effusions in addition to hot springs all clearly indicate that southeastern Saudi Arabia is tectonically active. This paper reviews the tectonic features of southwestern Saudi Arabia and provides new approaches and maps for the interpretation of old and recent earthquake data for improved assessment of the regional tectonics. A regionalized variable approach is used to develop earthquake groundmotion hazard maps for the region, based on geostatistical methods using the kriging technique. This hazard must be considered in any design/construction of engineering structures in the region. The application of kriging for estimating the ground shaking in the study region succeeded clearly in accomplishing its ultimate aim where the generated groundmotions are well correlated with the instrumental magnitude and historical intensity of any earthquake occurrence in the study region.     

Transient groundmotion in an elastic homogeneous halfspace to blasting loading

A closed-form transient solution to blasting loading is presented. The blasting loading is modelled as a finite sheet dilatational source, rather than a finite line, so that the dimensions of the explosives are taken into account in two directions, i.e. one in the horizontal direction and the other in the vertical direction. The solution is obtained by using Laplace transform, with respect to the time, and Fourier transform with respect to the coordinates. Inverse Laplace transform is implemented analytically. The final solution is expressed in double integral form. The solution can be used to determine groundmotion in studying blasting impacts on underground or aboveground structures.