Site Response in the Oklahoma Region from Seismic Recordings of the 2011 Mw 5.7 Prague Earthquake

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Mendoza ◽  
Stephen Hartzell
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Site Amplification ◽  
Waveform Analysis ◽  
Resonant Peak ◽  
Corner Frequency ◽  
Inversion Method ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Spectral Peaks

ABSTRACT We invert the shear‐wave displacement spectra obtained from 30 three‐component, broadband waveforms recorded within 300 km of the 6 November 2011 Mw 5.7 Prague, Oklahoma, earthquake to recover the site‐response contribution using an inversion method that simultaneously inverts for source, path, and site effects. Site‐response functions identify resonant frequencies within a range of 0.1–10 Hz that generally coincide with spectral peaks in horizontal‐to‐vertical ratio curves derived from the recorded waveforms. S‐wave velocity profiles available for several sites were also used to calculate theoretical SH transfer functions that predict the site amplification due to the near‐surface soil structure down to depths of 30–50 m. The transfer functions do not provide resonance information below about 5–8 Hz, indicating that the spectral peaks in the site response obtained from the waveform analysis result from deeper velocity variations. A 0.3 Hz spectral peak observed at several stations, for example, coincides with the strong, surface‐wave amplitudes observed at 3 s periods for induced M≥3 earthquakes in Oklahoma and Kansas, suggesting that this resonant peak may be due to surface waves trapped in the upper ∼2  km sedimentary layer of the crust. Both shallow and deep contributions to the site response are important for the characterization of ground motion from central and eastern North America (CENA) earthquakes. We obtain a corner frequency of 0.229, consistent with independent observations of the size of the event. A frequency‐dependent attenuation relation of Q(f)=1107f0.398 consistent with prior CENA path measurements is also derived.

Uncertainty of linear earthquake site amplification via Bayesian inversion of surface seismic data

Geophysics ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. WB37-WB48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheri Molnar ◽  
Stan E. Dosso ◽  
John F. Cassidy
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Probability Distributions ◽  
Site Amplification ◽  
Text Structure ◽  
Resonant Peak ◽  
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment ◽  
Uncertainty Distribution ◽  
Surface Wave Dispersion ◽  
Dispersion Data

We examine uncertainty in predicted linear 1D site amplification due to uncertainty in shear-wave velocity ([Formula: see text]) structure quantified from Bayesian (probabilistic) inversion of microtremor array dispersion data. Based on a sample of [Formula: see text] profiles drawn from the posterior probability density of the microtremor inversion, probability distributions are computed for common predictors of site amplification including [Formula: see text] (traveltime average [Formula: see text] to a depth [Formula: see text]) and amplification spectra based on seismic impedance variations and full transverse shear-wave effects. These methods are applicable for any site, but the resulting probabilistic site amplification analyses are specific to the two sediment sites studied here with strongly contrasting geology in high population centers of British Columbia, Canada. The site amplification probability distributions for the two sites are shown to be more informative than amplification estimated for a single best-fit [Formula: see text] profile by characterizing the uncertainty and therefore level of confidence in the predictions. The shear-wave amplification probability spectra are evaluated by comparison to empirical earthquake and microtremor spectral ratios, with generally good agreement in resonant peak frequencies and amplification levels, providing confidence that the primary influence of site-specific structure is accounted for appropriately. The wider implication here is that proper characterization of the [Formula: see text] profile uncertainty distribution from inversion of cost-effective surface wave dispersion data is beneficial in the application of said profiles to the prediction of earthquake site response and its uncertainty, as required for probabilistic seismic hazard assessment.

An approach to construct a Netherlands-wide ground-motion amplification model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janneke van Ginkel ◽  
Elmer Ruigrok ◽  
Rien Herber
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
Seismic Wave ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Earthquake Ground Motion ◽  
Sediment Layer ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Near Surface

<p>Local site conditions can strongly influence the level of amplification of ground-motion at the surface during an earthquake. Especially near-surface low velocity sediments overlying stiffer seismic bedrock modify earthquake ground motions in terms of amplitudes and frequency content, the so-called site response. Earthquake ground-motion site response is of great concern because it can lead to amplified surface shaking resulting in significant damage on structures despite small magnitude events. The Netherlands has tectonically related seismic activity in the southern region with magnitudes up to 5.8 measured so far. In addition, gas extraction in the Groningen field in the northern part of the Netherlands, is regularly causing shallow (3 km), low magnitude (Mw max= 3.6), induced earthquakes. The shallow geology of the Netherlands consists of a very heterogeneous soft sediment cover, which has a strong effect on seismic wave propagation and in particular on the amplitude of ground shaking.</p><p> </p><p>The ambient seismic field and local earthquakes recorded over 69 borehole stations in Groningen are used to define relationships between the subsurface lithological composition, measured shear-wave velocity profiles, horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) and empirical transfer functions (ETF). For the Groningen region we show that the HVSR matches the ETF well and conclude that the HVSR can be used as a first proxy for earthquake site-response. In addition, based on the ETFs we observe that most of the seismic wave amplification occurs in the top 50 m of the much thicker sediment layer. Here, a velocity contrast is present between the very soft Holocene clays and peat on top of the stiffer Pleistocene sands.</p><p> </p><p>Based on the learnings from Groningen we first constructed sediment type classes for the Dutch subsurface, each class representing a level of expected amplification. Secondly, the HVSR curves are estimated for all surface seismometers in the Netherlands seismic network and a sediment class is assigned to each location. Highest HVSR peak amplitudes are measured at sites with the highest level of amplification of the sediment classification. Based on this correlation and the presence of a detailed shallow geological model at most sites in the Netherlands, a simplistic approach is presented to predict amplification at any location with sufficient lithologic information. With this approach based on the shallow sediment composition, we can obtain constraints on the seismic hazard in areas that have limited data availability but have potential risk of seismicity, for example due to geothermal energy extraction.</p>

Statistical spectral model of earthquakes in the eastern Tohoku district, Japan, based on the surface and borehole records observed in Sendai

1997 ◽  
Vol 87 (2) ◽  
pp. 446-462
Author(s):  
Toshimi Satoh ◽  
Hiroshi Kawase ◽  
Toshiaki Sato
Keyword(s):  
Stress Drop ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Standard Penetration Test ◽  
Spectral Model ◽  
Corner Frequency ◽  
Quantitative Prediction ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Frequency Dependent ◽  
Initial Values ◽  
Source Spectra

Abstract Strong motions of 18 earthquakes (3.4 ≦ MJ ≦ 7.1, MJ: JMA magnitude) in the eastern Tohoku district, Japan, have been observed at 12 borehole sites within a 20- × 20-km region in Sendai. In our previous study, we defined a Pliocene layer, whose S-wave velocity VS is greater than 500 m/sec and whose N value of the standard penetration test is greater than 50, as engineering bedrock in Sendai and calculated 304 engineering bedrock waves (hypocentral distance X = 15 to 300 km) by removing the site response between the engineering bedrock and the surface. As the second stage of our study toward a quantitative prediction of strong ground motions of horizontal components, we propose here a statistical spectral model of the engineering bedrock waves by introducing the site response between the pre-Tertiary bedrock (VS ≈ 3000 m/sec) and the engineering bedrock (VS ≈ 500 to 700 m/sec) and a frequency-dependent Q into Boore's spectral model. We separate the site response between the pre-Tertiary bedrock and the engineering bedrock, an attenuation function, and source spectra from the engineering bedrock spectra by assuming an ω−2 model with the seismic moment M0 from the Harvard CMT solution estimated for earthquakes of MJ ≧ 5.3. Initial values of corner frequency f0 are determined based on a previous empirical M0 − f0 relationship in this district. Using six moderate-sized earthquakes (5.3 ≦ MJ ≦ 6.0), we first estimate frequency-dependent Q to be Q = 110f0.69 (f: frequency) by minimizing the standard deviation of the site response, which is defined as the ratio of observed engineering bedrock spectra with respect to the estimated attenuation and the assumed source spectra. The averaged site response is simultaneously estimated to be 1 at 0.1 Hz, 5 at 1 Hz, and 3 at 20 Hz. We then invert f0 and cutoff frequencies fmax for all 18 earthquakes and M0 for seven small-sized earthquakes of MJ < 5.3 by minimizing the difference between the model and observed spectra. The average Brune stress drop obtained from an M0 − f0 relationship estimated from 17 earthquakes except for the smallest earthquake with M0 less than 1021 dyne·cm is 200 bars. The estimated M0 − f0 relationship is identical to the one used to calculate initial values of f0 so that we do not need to perform the inversion iteratively. The obtained stress drop for subduction zone earthquakes in the eastern Tohoku district is consistent with other previous studies. The dependence of the inverted fmax on M0 is not significant, and the logarithmic average of fmax is found to be 13.5 Hz. By using these controlling parameters and the M0 − f0 relationship obtained from a regression analysis, acceleration spectra on the engineering bedrock in Sendai can be predicted statistically from X and M0 or MJ by considering standard deviations of the site response, f0, and fmax.

scholarly journals Site Characterization and Site Response in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1_suppl1) ◽  
pp. 137-155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Hough ◽  
Alan Yong ◽  
Jean Robert Altidor ◽  
Dieuseul Anglade ◽  
Doug Given ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hard Rock ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Ground Motions ◽  
Metropolitan Region ◽  
Waveform Analysis ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Narrow Ridge

Waveform analysis of aftershocks of the Mw7.0 Haiti earthquake of 12 January 2010 reveals amplification of ground motions at sites within the Cul de Sac valley in which Port-au-Prince is situated. Relative to ground motions recorded at a hard-rock reference site, peak acceleration values are amplified by a factor of approximately 1.8 at sites on low-lying Mio-Pliocene deposits in central Port-au-Prince and by a factor of approximately 2.5–3 on a steep foothill ridge in the southern Port-au-Prince metropolitan region. The observed amplitude, predominant periods, variability, and polarization of amplification are consistent with predicted topographic amplification by a steep, narrow ridge. A swath of unusually high damage in this region corresponds with the extent of the ridge where high weak-motion amplifications are observed. We use ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) imagery to map local geomorphology, including characterization of both near-surface and of small-scale topographic structures that correspond to zones of inferred amplification.

scholarly journals Estimation of path attenuation and site characteristics in the north-west Himalaya and its adjoining area using generalized inversion method

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harinarayan Nelliparambil Hareeshkumar ◽  
Abhishek Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Site Amplification ◽  
Inversion Method ◽  
Predominant Frequency ◽  
S Wave ◽  
North West ◽  
Hypocentral Distance ◽  
The North ◽  
Generalized Inversion ◽  
Site Characteristics ◽  
West Himalaya

Abstract. Present work focuses on the determination of path attenuation as well as site characteristics of PESMOS managed recording stations, located in the north-west Himalaya and its adjoining region, using two-step generalized inversion technique. In the first step of inversion, non-parametric attenuation curves are developed. Presence of a kink is observed at around 105 km hypocentral distance while correlating the path attenuation with the hypocentral distance indicating the presence of Moho discontinuity in the region. Further, Qs = 105 f0.94 as S wave quality factor within 105 km, is obtained indicating that the region is possibly heterogeneous as well as seismically active. In the second step of inversion, site amplification curves are developed separately from the attenuation corrected data for horizontal and vertical components of the accelerogram. Further, site amplification spectra is computed as the ratio of the obtained horizontal and vertical components to determine the amplification function and predominant frequency for each of the PESMOS managed recording stations, exist within the study area. The predominant frequency based on generalized inversion method and based on horizontal to vertical spectral ratio of S wave portion of the accelerogram matches well. Maps showing spatial distribution of predominant frequencies and amplification functions across the study region are also developed based on the present work.

Scenario shakemaps for Montreal

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 463-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hadi Ghofrani ◽  
Gail M. Atkinson ◽  
Luc Chouinard ◽  
Philippe Rosset ◽  
Kristy F. Tiampo
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Site Amplification ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Ground Shaking ◽  
Moderate Seismicity ◽  
Event Location ◽  
Surface Geology ◽  
The Impact

Montreal has significant seismic risk due to the combination of moderate seismicity, high population density, and vulnerable infrastructure. An important tool in damage and risk assessment is a scenario shakemap, which shows the expected ground shaking intensity distribution patterns. In this study, we use regional ground motion and site response evaluations to generate scenario shakemaps for Montreal. The impact of event location on expected ground motions and intensities was tested by considering the occurrence of a scenario (a given magnitude event) at various locations, where the scenarios are defined based on an analysis of the most likely future event locations. Variability in near surface geology plays an important role in earthquake ground shaking; we use microzonation information from Montreal to assess the expected site amplification effects. The results of this study may be used as input to seismic risk studies for Montreal.

scholarly journals Inversion of Love Waves in Earthquake Ground Motion Records for Two-dimensional S-wave Velocity Model of Deep Sedimentary Layers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kentaro Kasamatsu ◽  
Hiroaki Yamanaka ◽  
Shin’ichi Sakai
Keyword(s):  
Ground Motion ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Velocity Structure ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Love Waves ◽  
Earthquake Ground Motion ◽  
Inversion Method ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Strong Ground Motion Prediction

Abstract We have proposed a new waveform inversion method to estimate a 2D S-wave velocity structure of deep sedimentary layers using broadband Love waves. As a preprocessing operation in our inversion scheme, we decompose earthquake observation records into velocity waveforms at periods of 1 s interval. Then, we verify an assumption of 2D propagations of Love waves with polarization features based on a principal component analysis to select the segments applied for the inversion. A linearized iterative inversion analysis for the selected Love wave segments filtered at period of every 1 s allows a detailed estimation of boundary shapes of interfaces over the seismic bedrock with an S-wave velocity of approximately 3 km/s. We demonstrate the technique’s effectiveness with applications to observed seismograms in the Kanto plain, Japan. Differences between the estimated and existing structural models are remarkable at basin edges. A regional variation of the near-surface S-wave velocities in our model is similar to a distribution of surface geological classifications. Since a subsurface structure at a basin edge strongly affects earthquake ground motions in a basin with generations of surface waves, our method can provide a detail model of a complex S-wave velocity structure at an edge part for a strong ground motion prediction.

scholarly journals Development of a seismic site-response zonation map for the Netherlands

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-63
Author(s):  
Janneke van Ginkel ◽  
Elmer Ruigrok ◽  
Jan Stafleu ◽  
Rien Herber
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Seismic Hazard ◽  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Site Response ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
Ambient Vibration ◽  
Induced Earthquakes ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Zonation Map ◽  
Moderate Seismicity

Abstract. Earthquake site response is an essential part of seismic hazard assessment, especially in densely populated areas. The shallow geology of the Netherlands consists of a very heterogeneous soft sediment cover, which has a strong effect on the amplitude of ground shaking. Even though the Netherlands is a low- to moderate-seismicity area, the seismic risk cannot be neglected, in particular, because shallow induced earthquakes occur. The aim of this study is to establish a nationwide site-response zonation by combining 3D lithostratigraphic models and earthquake and ambient vibration recordings. As a first step, we constrain the parameters (velocity contrast and shear-wave velocity) that are indicative of ground motion amplification in the Groningen area. For this, we compare ambient vibration and earthquake recordings using the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method, borehole empirical transfer functions (ETFs), and amplification factors (AFs). This enables us to define an empirical relationship between the amplification measured from earthquakes by using the ETF and AF and the amplification estimated from ambient vibrations by using the HVSR. With this, we show that the HVSR can be used as a first proxy for site response. Subsequently, HVSR curves throughout the Netherlands are estimated. The HVSR amplitude characteristics largely coincide with the in situ lithostratigraphic sequences and the presence of a strong velocity contrast in the near surface. Next, sediment profiles representing the Dutch shallow subsurface are categorised into five classes, where each class represents a level of expected amplification. The mean amplification for each class, and its variability, is quantified using 66 sites with measured earthquake amplification (ETF and AF) and 115 sites with HVSR curves. The site-response (amplification) zonation map for the Netherlands is designed by transforming geological 3D grid cell models into the five classes, and an AF is assigned to most of the classes. This site-response assessment, presented on a nationwide scale, is important for a first identification of regions with increased seismic hazard potential, for example at locations with mining or geothermal energy activities.

scholarly journals S-Wave Site Amplification Factors from Observed Ground Motions in Japan: Validation of Delineated Velocity Structures and Proposal for Empirical Correction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eri Ito ◽  
Kenichi Nakano ◽  
Shigeki Senna ◽  
Hiroshi Kawase
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Functions ◽  
Strong Motion ◽  
Site Amplification ◽  
Seismic Intensity ◽  
Empirical Method ◽  
Japan Meteorological Agency ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Amplification Factors ◽  
Earthquake Research ◽  
The One

We first derived site amplification factors (SAFs) from the observed strong motions by the Japanese nationwide networks, namely, K-NET and KiK-net of National Institute of Earthquake Research and Disaster Resilience and Shindokei (Instrumental Seismic Intensity) Network of Japan Meteorological Agency by using the so-called generalized spectral inversion technique. We can use these SAFs for strong motion prediction at these observation sites, however, we need at least observed weak motion or microtremor data to quantify SAF at an arbitrary site. So we tested the capability of the current velocity models in Japan whether they can reproduce or not the observed SAFs at the nearest grid of every 250 m as the one-dimensional theoretical transfer functions (TTF). We found that at about one-half of the sites the calculated 1D TTFs show more or less acceptable fit to the observed SAFs, however, the TTFs tend to underestimate the observed SAFs in general. Therefore, we propose a simple, empirical method to fill the gap between the observed SAFs and the calculated TTFs. Validation examples show that our proposed method effectively predict better SAFs than the direct substitute of TTFs at sites without observed data.

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