A note on distribution of uncorrected peak ground accelerations during the Northridge, California, earthquake of 17 January 1994

This paper presents a summary of uncorrected peak ground accelerations recorded during the Northridge, California, earthquake of 17 January 1994 and a preliminary analysis of these data. The presented contours of recorded accelerations agree well with observed patterns of damage. The paper also addresses the issue of how ‘unusual’ and ‘unexpected’ the recorded accelerations are relative to earlier predictions.