EUCENTRE Final - Report March 2010
EUCENTRE Final - Report March 2010
EUCENTRE Final - Report March 2010
EUCENTRE
March 2010
SUMMARY
The project “Assessment and mitigation of seismic risk in the Eastern Caribbean region”,
funded for the year 2009 by the Council of Milan for “Contribution to solidarity and
International cooperation”, has, as main objective, the implementation of a
multidisciplinary methodology which integrates the aspects of seismic monitoring,
seismic hazard, vulnerability and exposure of the buildings stock for the Eastern
Caribbean Countries, especially for the islands of Dominica, Barbados and Trinidad.
The main activities developed in this study corrently underway are illustrated in the
following points:
¾ Hazard analysis has been implemented using a logic tree approach which
allowed to systematically take into account model-based (i.e. epistemic)
uncertainty and its influence onto the computed ground motion parameters.
A critical review of past hazard studies performed in the region was
undertaken as a preliminary task; the standard Cornell-McGuire approach
based on the definition of appropriate seismogenic zones has been adopted
and has produced the updating of the maps on seismic hazard for four return
periods, 95, 475, 975 and 2475, and for 22 structural periods, which are 0,
0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.75, 0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2,
2.25, 2.5, 2.75 and 3 sec.; (“SECTION A - Probabilistic Seismic Hazard
Assessment”);
¾ Setting-up of a feasibility study for the installation of a modern digital strong-
motion seismic network which includes the study for the data re-
transmission; aim of this study is the improvement of the seismic monitoring
of the Eastern Caribbean Countries (“SECTION B - Strong Motion Network:
feasibility study and data transmission”);
¾ Preliminar evaluation through the use of remote sensing techniques in order
to approximately evaluate the level of seismic vulnerability for the buildings
which belongs to some important urban aggregates in the Eastern Caribbean
Islands (“SECTION C - Telecommunications and Remote Sensing”).
The new funds granted by the Council of Milan for the year 2010 will permit to
extend the research work, improving the results obtained in the first phase of this
project.
SECTION A
by
1 European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE), Pavia,
Italy.
2 The University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, Trinidad.
INDEX
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................1
2.2.2 Studies in the 1990’s: seismic hazard for the Caribbean, Mexico and the Americas ..22
APPENDIX I......................................................................................................................................141
1.INTRODUCTION
Nowadays we observe the growth of big cities in seismically active areas all around the
world which requires very precise evaluation of seismic hazard in order to prevent loss of
life, property damage, and social and economic disruption due to earthquakes.
One of these regions is the Caribbean islands which are located in a very active seismic
zone on the Caribbean/South American/North American plate boundaries. The
population of the Caribbean remained very low for a long time up until the 20th century,
so there are not so many studies about seismic hazard in the region. In recent times, rapid
growth of tourism in the Caribbean has resulted in increasing construction. This requires
new investigations in seismic hazard assessment of the region; since new seismic
instrumental data are available it is a very good time to make these investigations.
Seismic hazard was ignored in Caribbean region until the 1950’s, but when a series of
damaging earthquakes occurred from 1950-1970, this attracted scientist’s attention to the
seismic hazard problem in the region.
Figure 1.1 Area of responsibility (AOR) including the islands between St. Martin/Anguilla and
Trinidad, exclusive of the French territories (Guadeloupe and Martinique).
In this chapter, we will present some areas investigated in past seismic hazard assessment
studies and we will chose the zone object of this work.
Figure 1.2 Area of responsibility (pink) with area studied in the work of Taylor et al. (1978)
A4
Figure 1.3 Area of responsibility (pink) with area studied in the work of Shepherd, Lynch and
Tanner (1993)
We chose to modifyed the areas involving in cited previous works in order to obtain a
zone whose boundaries have a distance greater then 300 km from analysed islands. We
enlarge the area selected in the study of Shepherd, Lynch and Tanner (1993). Table 1
show the coordinates of the rectangular area object of study.
In the following figure (Figure 1.4), we show an image of our studied area.
A5
Researcher ignored the seismic hazard in the Caribbean region until the 1950’s, but when
a series of damaging earthquakes occurred from 1950-1970, this attracted scientist’s
attention to the seismic hazard problem in the region.
In 1968 Cornell (1968) introduced two important concepts into this field: the first was
the concept of probabilistic seismic hazard, expressed as the level of some parameter of
ground motion which had a particular return period at a particular site; the second was
the concept of effective peak ground acceleration. If the intervals between earthquakes
are assumed to follow a Poisson process and the return period is assumed to be T years
then the probability that there will be one or more events within any period of t years life
time is:
t
−
P( t ) = 1 − e T (2.1)
Thus the phrase “seismic hazard” is used in the sense of “probabilistic seismic hazard”.
Algermissen and Perkins (1976) adopted a probability level of 10% and a period of
interest of 50 years so that their measure of earthquake hazard was the level of ground
acceleration (PGA) with shows that such en event has return period of approximately 475
years.
The first application of these concepts to the Caribbean region were made by Pereira and
Gay (1978) who computed hazard maps for Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. Taylor et
al.. (1978) extended this work to include the Lesser Antilles. The most serious common
problems of these works were basically the following: the magnitudes and locations of
A8
the earthquakes used to estimate levels of hazard were not well known. For the particular
case of Trinidad and Tobago Sheperd and Aspinall (1983) improved the quality of both
locations and magnitudes of the earthquakes used and produced an improved hazard map
for Trinidad and Tobago.
Since 1990 a large groups of researchers from Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and
South America produced a series of hazard maps for the whole of this region using the
concepts introduced by Cornell (1968) and Algermissen and Perkins (1976). In those
studies magnitudes of all recorded earthquakes within the region were re-computed and
expressed using the moment-magnitude scale of Kanamori (1970); the results relevant to
the Trinidad and Tobago region were published by Shepherd et al.. (1997), Tanner and
Shepherd (1997) and Shedlock (1999). A very comprehensive discussion of the
methodology used is that by McQueen (1997).
The most recent seismic hazard estimates which encompass the Caribbean region were
presented by Shepherd and Lynch (2003) for Trinidad and Tobago and by Tanner and
Shedlock (2004) for Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Figure 2.1 contains time distribution of the most important past seismic hazard
assessment studies; histograms represent annual number of works in which seismic
hazard studies involving the Caribbean region have been developed.
A9
2008
2007
2006
Annual number of works regarding with the seismic hazard studies of the Caribbean region 2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
1992
1991
1990
1989
1988
1987
1986
1985
1984
1983
1982
1981
1980
1979
1978
4
Figure 2.1 Time distribution of the most important past seismic hazard assessment studies for the
Caribbean region
A10
The Tectonic Setting of the Caribbean is illustrated in Figure 2.2, which shows the
approximate Caribbean Plate Boundaries; as can be seen, all of the Caribbean countries
lie close to these boundaries.
The Caribbean Plate is moving eastward respect to the adjacent North American and
South American Plates at a rate of approximately 20 mm per year (Gibbs, 2001).
The Caribbean plate is overriding the North and South American plates on the east
(Figure 2.2); on the west, the Cocos plate is subducting beneath the Caribbean plate.
Figure 2.3 Lesser Antilles subduction zone (Byrne, Davis and Sykes, 1988)
Seismicity recorded in the Caribbean region is concentrated along the Antilles arc, from
Hispaniola to Trinidad (Figure 2.4), where the Caribbean plate is overriding the North
and South American plates. Most of the large and moderate earthquakes have been
shallow intraplate earthquakes near the plate boundaries, although some researchers have
interpreted a few large earthquakes as plate interface events (Dewey and Suàrez, 1991).
Figure 2.4 Plottage of earthquakes with moment magnitude (MW) greater than 4.6 that occurred
during the years 1900 through 1994 in Mexìco, Central America and the Caribbean
(Shedlock, 1999).
A12
The first set consists of reports of earthquakes felt in region since the first European
settlements in the early sixteenth century; the historical catalogue begins in 1532
(Shepherd, 1993). Until about 1907, these reports have been collated and analyzed by
number of authors notably Robson (1964) and Grases (1971); for Trinidad, considered as
an observatory par excellence because located at a seismotectonic crossroads, Vogt (2008)
analyzed several felt or damaging earthquakes in Trinidad and Tobago and presented new
original archive findings that modify significantly the picture of the Trinidad seismicity as
found in the catalogue of Robson.
The second set consists of recorded data; the instrumental recording of earthquakes
began in the early 20th century, but the deployment of a regional radio-linked seismograph
network occurred in 1976; thus, the instrumental data set can be divided into two
segment.
The second segment of the instrumental record consist of data collected by two dense
networks for radio-linked short-period seismograh stations which have been continuously
operated within the regions by the Seismic Research Centre of University of the West
Indies (SRU) and by the Institut de Physique du Globe of the University of Paris (IPG).
A13
A third high-quality network is operated on the periphery of the region by the Fundación
Venezolana de Investigaciones Sismológicas (FUNVISIS). The operation of this
networks has resulted in much more precise location of all earthquakes and in a lowering
of the lower magnitude threshold for reliable detection to about M=3.
All events which have occurred since 1976 have been relocated using appropriate regional
travel-time tables (Shepherd, 1993).
Since September 15, 2000, six digital strong-motion accelerographs have been established
in Trinidad; five of these instruments have operated continuously since then. Their
important advantages consist of having an improved dynamic range and being linear to
ground motion over the range of frequencies of interest in earthquake strong ground
motion studies (Shepherd and Lynch, 2003).
Pereira and Gay (1978) derived relationships between return period T and acceleration
for Port of Spain, Trinidad, Tobago and Barbados (in the eastern Caribbean). The
authors defined two zones of activity (Figure 2.6):
Figure 2.6 Representation of fault zones activity (Pereira and Gay, 1978)
The catalogue used contained data on reported earthquake events for a period of 74 years
1899-1973; the researchers applied the Cornell analytical model with recalculated
magnitudes MS using the relationship of Vanek et al.. (1962) and, for the special case of
earthquakes prior to 1910, recorded on Milne instruments, a relation developed by
Ambraseys; they obtained an over estimation of ground parameters with this second
approach. The attenuation law used is Esteva’s relationship (1974):
y = b1 e b2 M ( R + RO ) −b3 (2.2)
where y is the ground motion parameter, RO, b1, b2 and b3 are constants, M is the
magnitude and R is the focal distance (km). This law had been developed for shallow
events; this represents a limit of this work: ground motion parameters for intermediate
depth and deep events do not appeared to conform to a predictable attenuation law when
Pereira and Gay developed their analysis. Further the degree of uncertainty involved in
the use of Esteva’s laws was high.
They obtained hazards curves, which are presented in the original paper (since the paper
is very old and the pictures are bad quality it was decided not to include them within this
review).
A17
Taylor et al. (1978) proposed a preliminary analysis of seismic hazard in the Lesser
Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago; earthquake source zones were developed from a
review of the tectonics and structure of the region and an analysis of strain release,
developed by Allen et al. (1965) for the areas of Southern California, using the earthquake
magnitude records for the period 1904-1974. They created strain release maps, like the
one represented in Figure 2.7 which shows that seismic energy release takes place
throughout the island arc over the seventy-one years considered in this work; Figure 2.7
shows the resulting contours based on epicentral location only, but the researchers
developed maps in order to investigate the effect of depth strain release.
Taylor et al. separated the “shallow” zone and the “deep”, because, they said, these two
source had different magnitude-frequency relationship; they chose rectangular elements,
consistent with the requirements of the computer programme used (Cornell and Grigori,
1974), in order to schematize the source zones (Figure 2.8).
A18
The magnitude-frequency relationships used were developed from the following sources:
Gutenberg-Richter (1904-1955), Sykes and Ewing (1956-1964), Bulletins of the
International Seismological Centre (1965-1970) and Local Earthquake Solutions by
Seismic Research Unit (1965-1974); in the first and in the second relationship above the
magnitudes are surface wave magnitudes (MS) whereas the third and the fourth are body
wave magnitudes (mb), in which MS had been converted using the formula of Geller and
Kanamori (1977).
Figure 2.8 The source zones used in the “ shallow” zone and in the “ deep” zone (Taylor et al.,
1978)
y = ae bM ( R + 25 −C )ε (2.3)
where y is the peak ground acceleration, M is Richter magnitude, R is focal distance (km),
a, b and c are regression constants and ε is residual error term.
Results obtained in this study are presented in the following figure (Figure 2.9):
A19
Generally, all of these early attempts to produce seismic hazard maps suffered from a
number of problems of which the most serious was that the magnitudes and locations of
the earthquakes used to estimate levels of hazard were not well known.
Shepherd and Aspinall (1983) improved the quality of both locations and magnitudes of
the earthquakes used and produced an iso-acceleration map for the Trinidad and Tobago
region.
The establishment of station TRN and other station in the south-eastern Caribbean
(1964) contributed to correct a deficiency in location capability, but Shepherd and
Aspinall (1983) designed criteria to ensure that the earthquakes of the period 1964-1976
could be located with an accuracy not worse than ± 10 km in epicentral coordinate and
± 20 km in depth; the criteria were that the earthquake should had been recorded by at
least ten seismograph stations including at least one in each of the four quadrants of
azimuth from the epicentre and at least one station within 150 km of the epicentre.
Starting by hypocentres computed by the International Seismological Centre the
earthquakes were re-located by variant of the method of Joint Hypocentral
Determination specially developed for use in the Caribbean region. The catalogue used in
the analysis covered the period 1964-1979 and the magnitudes were body-wave
magnitudes mb.
Shepherd and Aspinall (1983) noted that the different definitions of the source zone in
the previous seismic hazard estimates produced divergent results; thus they presented a
detailed account of the neo-tectonics of south-eastern Caribbean, which conducted them
to identify three major source zones (Figure 2.10):
A20
Figure 2.10 Definition of major source zone near Trinidad and Tobago (Shepherd and Aspinall 1983)
y = b1e b2 M f ( R ) (2.4)
where y is the peak ground acceleration (cm2/s) and R the hypocentral distance (km); the
researchers calibrated constants for events in source zones 1 and 3 and constants for
events in source zone 2 since the source zones showed different intensities effects.
They estimated the level of earthquake hazard in Trinidad and Tobago as the peak
horizontal bedrock acceleration with 90 percent probability of non-exceedence in any 50-
year period (see Figure 2.11).
A21
Figure 2.11 Estimated level of earthquake hazard in Trinidad and Tobago (Shepherd and Aspinall
1983)
None of the hazard maps presented by these authors was generally accepted as a basis for
seismic regionalization, because in the mid-1980’s it was felt that the current state of
knowledge did not permit the construction of definitive isoacceleration and iso-velocity
maps.
The figures with the estimated peak ground accelerations (in cm/s2) contained in
Caribbean Uniform Building Code were presented with the warning that they would been
substantial redacted in the near future.
A22
2.2.2 Studies in the 1990’s: seismic hazard for the Caribbean, Mexico and the
Americas
In 1990 began International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR): a large
group of scientists from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America
produced a series of hazard maps for the whole of this region using the concepts
introduced by Cornell and Algermissen and Perkins. A particular feature of this work was
that magnitudes of all recorded earthquakes within the region were re-computed and
expressed using the moment-magnitude scale of Kanamori (1977). The results relevant to
the Trinidad and Tobago region were published by Shepherd et al. (1997), Tanner and
Shepherd (1997) and Shedlock (1999). A very comprehensive discussion of the
methodology used is that by McQueen (1997). McQueen (1997) carried out an evaluation
of seismic hazard in the Caribbean and Central America using three different probabilistic
methods of seismic hazard estimation. The methods she used were the source zone or
Cornell-type (two different computer programmes), the extreme value method (Gunibel,
1958; Makropoulos and Burton, 1986) and the historic parametric method. In her
evaluation of the results she found all methods gave similar results, but concluded that
the historic parametric method seemed more stable under varying conditions of
computation. The mentioned authors followed her recommendation and used historic
parametric method, about which we propose the following brief illustration. The first
step of this method is the development of a uniform earthquake catalogue for the region;
next, appropriate attenuation relations are identified or developed. Estimates of ground
motion from every earthquake in the catalogue are calculated at every site in the region
based on the chosen attenuation function(s). Return periods for exceedance of a range of
values of ground motion are tabulated, and curves are fitted to these data.
Thus, the earthquake catalogue served as the source characterization for the seismic
hazard map: no geological information was used and no source zones were drawn
(Shedlock, 1999).
Before we present the seismic hazard studies of previous mentioned authors, we focus on
the features of their work regarding magnitudes estimates and completeness of seismicity
catalogues evaluation.
A23
Magnitudes estimates
“Since good results depend to the first order on the catalogue upon which the
computations are based, in the absence of a top quality catalogue with magnitude
estimates on a uniform scale (preferably moment magnitude), seismic hazard estimates to
modern standards are not possible” (Shedlock, 1999). All magnitudes of the earthquakes
occurred in the Caribbean region were converted to moment magnitude (MW) through a
multi-step process (Tanner and Shepherd, 1997; Shedlock, 1999); as a first step in their
conversion scheme, Tanner and Shepherd (1997) obtained the seismic moment (M0) of as
many of earthquakes in the catalogue as possible. For most of the large earthquakes that
occurred prior to the 1980’s, M0 has been derived from the relationship:
M 0 = µAd (2.5)
where µ is the shear modulus (rigidity), A is the area of the fault plane and d is the
average slip during the earthquake (Aki and Richards, 1980; Tanner and Shepherd, 1997)
then converted M0 to MW using the relationship 2.6:
- MW calculated from M0, where M0 was determined directly from M0 from the
Aki and Richards (1980) relationship.
- MW calculated from M0, where M0 was determined directly from digital,
broadband seismic records.
- MW from M0, where M0 was taken directly from the Harvard University CMT
catalogue.
- M W ≈ M S where MS has been reliably determined for MS>6.6 and
M W = 2 3 log M S + 2.34 for M S ≤ 6.6.
- MW calculated from mb through a two-step process of first converting to mb to
MS using M S = 1.74 mb − 3.95 then using one of the relationship given
above.
- MW calculated from other magnitude scales through a two-step process of first
converting the other magnitude to MS using one of the several known
relationship, then using one of the relationship given above.
A24
Completeness of catalogue
Table 2.1 Periods of completeness; earthquakes of different intensities (after Shepherd and Lynch,
1992).
For the instrumental period, a number of methods had been suggested to test the
completeness of catalogues. The most widely used test of completeness would seem to be
the so-called Stepp test (Tanner and Shepherd, 1997), in which the standard deviation of
the estimate of the mean rate of earthquake occurrence for a given magnitude range is
plotted against time on a log-log graph. The data are considered to be complete so long
as the graph follows a linear trend. The authors presented this analysis for the whole
catalogue of Latin America and the Caribbean (Figure 2.12).
Figure 2.12 Annual numbers of 1900-1993 earthquakes classified by range of magnitude (Tanner and
Shepherd, 1997)
A25
The recorded seismicity increases approximately linearly until 1964, when the WWSSN
and national networks throughout the region began to be deployed. The curve for MW ≥ 6
is least changed by the introduction of more uniform earthquake recording and reporting.
The curve for MW ≥ 5 continues to increase approximately linearly. The dramatic jump in
the curve for MW ≥ 4 clearly indicates that the catalogue is incomplete for these events
prior to 1964. Although the period of completeness for an earthquake of M W ≥ 5 is the
least clear of all three, Tanner and Shepherd (1997) assumed that the catalogue is
complete for this magnitude from 1930 onwards and M W=5 has been chosen as the
lower bound magnitude for earthquakes to be included because earthquakes with MW<5
do not usually cause damage throughout the region. Aftershocks were removed by a
straightforward application of the single link cluster analysis method developed by Davis
and Frolich (1991), but, because of uncertainties surrounding dates and locations, it is
possible that some duplicates remained in the macroseismic catalogue. However,
estimated periods of completeness by magnitude compare in Table 2.2.
Table 2.2 Estimated periods of completeness by magnitude for the unified catalogue (after Tanner
and Shepherd, 1997)
Tanner and Shepherd (1997) in the second part of their work produced seismic hazard
maps for Latin America and the Caribbean using the created catalogue which contained
all earthquakes with MW ≥ 4 that occurred between 1900 and 1994. Any earthquakes with
magnitudes that could not be converted to MW using the above hierarchy were excluded
from catalogue. For the period July, 1976 December, 1991 all events had been relocated
using the Joint Hypocentral Determination and regional travel-time tables (Shepherd et
al., 1987). The results obtained specifically for the Caribbean region are also published by
Shepherd et al. (1997) and by Shedlock (1999), who attended to seismic map of North
and Central and the Caribbean.
About attenuation law, they applied the relation of Aspinall et al. (1994), who examined
number attenuation relationships and concluded that the equation developed by
Woodward-Clyde (1982) for subduction zone settings best fit scene in the Trinidad-
Tobago region. Although this was intended for subduction zones this was been suggested
for consideration by the project office for all the Caribbean, largely because it agreed well
better than other relations with the limited data available. The relation used is the
following:
A26
ln a = c1 + c 2 M − c3 ln( D + c 4 ) (2.7)
where a is PGA, D is the distance within the context of the “Singh rupture zone”, M is
the magnitude and the constants are: c1 = 5.347 , c 2 = 0.5 , c 3 = 0.85 and
c 4 = e 0.463M .
For shallow (with depths of 15 km or less) events of the whole region examined, they
decide to use the Joyner and Boore (1993) relationship.
The authors (Tanner and Sheperd, 1997; Shepherd et al., 1997; Shedlock, 1999) proposed
the first systematic, detailed Caribbean seismic hazard map (Figure 2.13), which depics
PGA (in cm2/s) with a 10% chance of exceedance in 50 years; hazard levels had been
computed on a grid of 0.25 degrees.
Figure 2.13 Caribbean seismic hazard map (Tanner and Shepherd, 1997; Shepherd et al., 1997;
Shedlock, 1999)
Tanner and Shepherd (1997) used the results McQueen (1997) obtained with the historic
parametric catalogue as the basis of comparison. The results expressed in term of PGA
values were not the same; Tanner and Shepherd identified the cause in the different
attenuation relations used respectively by the authors.
A27
In the end we present Douglas and Mohais (2008) work, which is interesting, because
they presented a specific analysis of the ability of attenuation law for subduction
earthquakes to estimate observed earthquake ground motions on the islands of the Lesser
Antilles.
Shepherd and Lynch (2003) work is divided in two parts: the first produced in the 2001
and the second in the 2003; the project developed by the Seismic Research Unit of the
University of the West Indies (UWI) with the purpose to produce seismic hazard
assessment and microzonation of Trinidad and Tobago began in the 2000 when six digital
strong-motion accelerographs had been established in Trinidad. The method used for
assessment is the historic parametric method as applied by Tanner and Shepherd (1997);
two crucial input in this method are: a complete and homogenous earthquake catalogue
for the region affected and the attenuation relationship.
The data of the catalogue used by Shepherd and Lynch (2003) covered the period from
1965 to 2003 because for this period data are complete for magnitudes greater than 4.0
and the accurancy with which epicentres are determined has improved considerably over
that period.
One of the most important original objectives of the work (Shepherd and Lynch, 2003)
consisted in developing a attenuation relationship for region analysed using data recorded
by digital strong-motion accelerographs; since these data which covered the period
September 2000 to February 2001 were not enough, the authors used the relationships of
Boore et al. (1993, 1997) for shallow events (developed from studies of a very suite of
shallow earthquakes in western North America) and, for deeper events, chose Youngs et
al. (1997) law instead of Climent et al. (1994) because the first one fit better the
observations recorded. Results obtained were presented as countered maps of the
Spectral Ground Acceleration at 0.2 seconds (Figure 2.14) and at 1.0 seconds (Figure
2.15) with 2 % probably of being exceeded in any 50-years period.
A28
Figure 2.14 Maps for Trinidad and Tobago of the Spectral Ground Acceleration (gals) at 0.2 seconds
with 2% probably of being exceeded in any 50-years period (Shepherd and Lynch, 2003)
Figure 2.15 Maps for Trinidad and Tobago of the Spectral Ground Acceleration (gals) at 1.0 seconds
with 2 % probably of being exceeded in any 50-years period (Shepherd and Lynch, 2003)
A29
For Shepherd and Lynch the level of earthquake hazard in Tobago and in the north-
eastern corner of Trinidad were much higter than was previously thought; this idea could
not derive from direct comparisons with previous works, but it derived from
considerations about the choice of attenuation relationship which fit observed levels of
ground acceleration better.
They examined also the effect of surface geology on strong ground motion both by direct
measurements in the field and by studying results obtained elsewhere in the world and
identified areas in Trinidad where ground amplification was likely to be important.
The authors estimated response spectra for a range and focal depths and recommended
two normalized response spectra, one for hard rock and one for soft ground, for use in
earthquake resistant design.
Tanner and Shedlock (2004) seismic hazard values were calculated for Mexico, the
Caribbean, and Central and South America using the historic earthquake occurrence
method as applied by Tanner and Shepherd (1997). They extended catalogue
completeness analyses developed by Tanner and Shepherd (1997) to cover the period
1900-1997 (Figure 2.16).
Figure 2.16 Numbers of events per year from the unified catalogue and for MW=4, 5, and 6 (Tanner
and Shedlock 2004)
Events selected for their computations resulted from the extraction of all earthquakes
with MW<5 and removal of aftershocks; thus, the period of completeness chosen defined
an interval of 68 years (1930–1997) for all events with a magnitude of 5 or greater.
A30
About attenuation functions, Tanner and Shedlock used three equally weighted
relationships to calculate ground motions from shallow ( ≤ 15 km) earthquakes plus a
subduction zone relationship for intermediate/deep earthquakes; they considered the
following authors of attenuation relations: Boore et al. (1997) who determined a suite of
attenuation relations that provided estimations of ground motions from shallow
earthquakes with 5.5 ≤ MW ≤ 7.5 within a horizontal distance of 80 km or less; Campbell
(1997) who developed a law that may be used to estimate ground motions from shallow
earthquakes with MW ≥ 5.5 within a rupture distance of 60 km or less; Sadigh et al. (1997)
who developed relations suitable for application when a MW ≥ 5.5 shallow earthquake
occurs within 100 km or less of a site; Youngs et al. (1997) who developed a suite of
attenuation relations that provide estimations of ground motions from interface and
intraslab subduction zone earthquakes with MW ≥ 5.5 within rupture distances of 10 km
to 500 km.
These authors developed these relations using strong motion records recorded from 164
subduction zone earthquakes between 10 and 229 km deep throughout the world. About
16% of these earthquakes had hypocentral depths greater than 100 km, with just four
events at depths greater than 175 km. Tanner and Shedlock could not locate any reports
of damage from earthquakes as deep or deeper than 175 km throughout the region, so
they simply imposed 175 km as the upper bound distance for earthquakes to be included
in our calculations. The YCSH97 relationships for interface events were assumed for
earthquakes at depths between 15 and 50 km and the intraslab relationships were used to
calculate ground motions from earthquakes deeper than 50 km.
Tanner and Shedlock (2004) presented maps depicting PGA and 0.2 and 1.0 seconds
spectral accelerations (SA) with 50%, 10%, and 2% chances of exceedance in 50 years for
rock sites; in Figure 2.17, the map of PGA (%g) with a 2% chance of exceedance in 50
years. The author compared the obtained results with seismic map of North and Central
and the Caribbean developed by Shedlock (1999), but no consideration about the
Caribbean region are reported.
A31
Figure 2.17 PGA (%g) with a 10% chance of exceedance in 50 years (Tanner and Shedlock 2004)
Douglas and Mohais (2008) presented a quantitative analysis of the ability of eight
published empirical ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for subduction
earthquakes (interface and intraslab) to estimate observed earthquake ground motions on
the islands of the Lesser Antilles (specifically Guadeloupe, Martinique, Trinidad, and
Dominica). Recorded ground motions from the selected subduction earthquakes (in total,
over 300 records from 22 earthquakes, happened in the period 1996-2008, from various
seismic networks) had been compared with ground motions estimated by these eight sets
of equations: Atkinson and Boore (2003), Crouse (1991), García et al. (2005), Kanno et al.
(2006), Lin and Lee (2008), McVerry et al. (2006), Youngs et al. (1997), and Zhao et al.
(2006).
A32
One of the most important findings was that the recent ground-motion models
developed from Japanese data (Kanno et al. 2006; Zhao et al. 2006) provided quite good
predictions of observed earthquake ground motions and their variabilities in the Lesser
Antilles. Other recent GMPEs derived for Mexico (García et al. 2005), Taiwan (Lin and
Lee 2008), and New Zealand (McVerry et al. 2006) were ranked poorly by the method
used (Scherbaum et al., 2004) for dataset considered.
All of obtained results, however, were based on comparisons between ground motions
from magnitudes and distance ranges generally outside those used to derive the tested
attenuations relationships; thus, Douglas and Mohais suggested that any seismic hazard
assessment for this region selects a number of attenuation law so that the epistemic
uncertainty in ground-motion prediction is not underestimated; the ranking of the
different models presented here could be useful as one component of a scheme to weight
the predictions from the various GMPEs.
2.3 CONCLUSIONS
Caribbean islands are located in very active seismic zone; increased growth of population
and the natural beauty has attracted tourists from all around the world, which has lead to
increase of construction, it is necessary to estimate seismic hazards in order to avoid
damage and loss of life in case of large earthquake.
Most of previous studies about seismic hazard in Caribbean were reviewed in this report.
As can be seen, not much investigation has been performed in Caribbean area; it means
that there is a lot of work to do, especially now, when new methods and techniques are
available. We see that the most recent studies were done before 2004, which is already 5
years old. Nowadays there are more qualitative seismic data available, so more precise
estimation might be performed.
3.THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EARTHQUAKE
CATALOGUE
In the previous Chapter, we present past seismic hazard study involving Eastern
Caribbean; now we refer in particular to Tanner and Shepherd (1997) work, in which they
describe the methods used to construct the earthquake catalogue for the Latin America
and the Caribbean (IPGH catalogue). The Seismic Research Unit of the University of the
West Indies (SRU/UWI) provide us the MANAGE software system and the IPGH
catalogue. Thus, we have selected all events with Moment Magnitude Mw greater than 4.0
happened in the studied zone during the period between 1530-1996; they are about 2000.
The updating of IPGH catalogue to cover the period 1997-2009 consists of a merger of
the available databases; all examined sources are presented in Figure 3.1.
Database
CERESIS Hipocentros
Catálogos Regional “Hipocentros”
CERESIS Intensidades
Catálogos Regional “Intensidades”
ISC
International Seismological Centre
USGS/NEIC (PDE)
U. S. Geological Survey Earthquake Database
USGS/NEIC (NOAA)
U. S. Geological Survey Earthquake Database
USGS/NEIC (NGDC)
U. S. Geological Survey Earthquake Database
USGS/NEIC (SISRA)
U. S. Geological Survey Earthquake Database
USGS/NEIC (Centennial)
U. S. Geological Survey Earthquake Database
NGDC
National Geophysical Data Center
ANSS
Advanced National Seismic System
Database Catalogue
CERESIS-Hypocentros 1471-1991
CERESIS-Intensity 1520-1981
ISC 1900-2009
USGS-NEIC (PDE) 1973-2009
USGS-NEIC (NOAA) 1530-1986
USGS-NEIC (NGDC) 1900-1979
USGS-NEIC (SISRA) 1471-1981
USGS-NEIC (Centennial) 1900-2002
NGDC 1520-2009
ANSS 1898-2009
Thus we select only the following database to update the catalogue until 2009:
I. ISC 3
The ISC catalog is a catalog that includes a regional list of shallow and
intermediate earthquakes.
3
http://www.isc.ac.uk/index.html
4 http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/
A35
IV. ANSS 6
The ANSS catalog (Advanced National Seismic System) is a composite catalog
created by merging the master earthquake catalogs and then removing duplicate
solutions for the same event. The ANSS earthquake catalog grew out of the
efforts of the CNSS (Council of the National Seismic System). It was previously
called the CNSS earthquake catalog.
V. NGDC 7
The NGDC catalog (National Geophysical Data Center) contains all the
earthquakes considered “destructive”, that is all those events that have moderate
damage, ten or more deaths, magnitude 7.5 or greater and intensity X or greater.
This catalog should theoretically coincide with the NEIC (NOAA) as it is based
on the same criteria and, in origin, comes from the same source but noting the
number of events, can be seen that the NGDC catalog contains more number of
earthquakes.
From those databases we have extracted the events happened in the studied area during
the period between 1997 and 2009; to obtain all events with Mw greater then 4.0, the
selection of the minimum value of the other types of magnitude (like MS, MB, ML) has
been based on the correlation used in Tanner and Shepherd (1997) work; for example, in
the case of MS, the minimum adopted value is 2.9. For the other types of magnitude the
5 http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/data/centennial.php
6 http://www.ncedc.org/anss/
7 http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/
A36
minimum value is 4.0. In the following figure (Figure 3.3) we report the number of
selected events from used databases.
ISC 530
USGD-NEIC (Centennial) 13
ANSS 619
NGDC 8
Total 2370
¾ Moment Magnitude MW
The macroseismic intensity, measured by the MMI scale (Modified Mercalli Intensity)
appear only for two events in the NGDC catalogue.
We clarify that while ISC, USGS-NEIC (PDE), ANSS and NGDC give a single estimate
of the same type of magnitude for each event USGS-NEIC (Centennial) reports different
magnitudes, depending on the source referenced. In the case of USGS-NEIC
(Centennial), in order to obtain a global catalog with many multiple dates, we have chosen
to refer to the average value of each type of magnitude. This choice was made after
calculating, for each event and for each type of magnitude M, the maximum difference
∆max and the absolute average absolute deviation δ through the following relations:
1
∆ max = max ( x i − x j ) δ= ∑ x −x (3.1)
n
where xi; xj are two estimates of the same M (when the number of M is ≥ 2, the
procedure was repeated); x is the mean value of the same M for each event. The
objective of these operations was to determine whether it should be taken into account
the average value or the maximum value of each type of magnitude. As it can be seen
from results reported in Figure 3.4, the dispersion between the estimated magnitude is
substantial especially in the case of mb, so we have chosen to consider the average values
of each estimate of magnitude.
MS MW mb
Standard Standard Standard
Average Average Average
Deviation of Deviation of Deviation of
∆max ∆max ∆max
∆max ∆max ∆max
0 0 0.04 0.05 0.23 0.05
δav δmax δav δmax δav δmax
0 0 0.03 0.071 0.16 0.21
Figure 3.4 Evaluation of dispersion between the different estimates of the same magnitude in the
USGS-NEIC (Centennial) catalogue; determination of average value and standard
deviation of the maximum differences ∆max, and average and maximum value of all
average absolute deviations δ for each event
In the operation of merging databases catalogue, we have been noted different estimates
of the same type of magnitude; we chose to keep this feature and for each event listed in
our catalogue we could have different estimates of the same type of magnitude.
A38
We report that for two events contained only in the NGDC catalogue there were not the
type of magnitude so we consulted CMT catalogue 8 in order to obtain magnitude
estimates for those events.
1
δ=
n
∑ x−x (3.2)
where x is the mean value of the same magnitude for each event.
The elaborations performed on the average absolute deviation δ values have helped to
have limited differences between the values of the same type of magnitude for each
event. This can be seen from Figure 3.5 and Figure 3.6, which respectively show the
correlation between the values of mb magnitude reported in the ISC catalogue and in the
USGS-NEIC (PDE) catalogue for all available events (254), and the correlation between
the mb values listed in the catalogues ISC and ANSS for available events (323). In both
cases the coefficient of determination R2 is very close to unity; these values indicate a
good correspondence between the data included in catalogues.
8 http://www.globalcmt.org
A39
6,0
y = 0,9583x + 0,3537
R2 = 0,8265
5,5
5,0
mb,PDE
4,5
4,0
3,5
3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0
mb,ISC
Figure 3.5 Correlation between the values of mb magnitude provided by the ISC catalogue and those
provided by the USGS-NEIC (PDE) catalogue; the correlation was obtained on 254
events
5,0
mb, ANSS
4,5
4,0
3,5
3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0
mb, ISC
Figure 3.6 Correlation between the values of mb magnitude provided by the ISC catalogue and those
provided by the ANSS catalogue; the correlation was obtained on 323 events
A40
To confirm the stability and the minimal dispersion of the data, in Figure 3.7 the linear
correlations mb,ISC - mb,USGS-NEIC (PDE) and mb,ISC - mb,ANSS are compared: there is a
substantial coincidence of the two lines.
We focus the analysis only on mb magnitude because it is the type of magnitude with the
significantly higher number of events with different mb estimates.
6,0
USGS-PDE
5,5
ANSS
5,0
mb
4,5
4,0
3,5
3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0
mb, ISC
Figure 3.7 Regression lines obtained by the correlations mb,ISC - mb, USGS-NEIC (PDE) and mb,ISC -
mb,ANSS
Despite the contained variability of the values of magnitude, in the formulation of the
global catalogue we have been chosen to consider, for each event and for each type of
magnitude, the maximum value of magnitude provided by different sources.
In order to obtain for each event the Moment Magnitude MW, which is necessary to apply
the attenuation laws, it was necessary to find an empirical correlation between the
estimates of the magnitude MS, ML, mb and MD and the estimation of MW.
The research of these correlations was based on the maximum values of mb and MS
estimated for each event; in the case of ML and MD, no pairs of magnitude ML-MW appear
in our catalogue and there is only one pair of magnitude MD-MW.
The research of the correlation between the Surface wave Magnitude MS values and those
of Moment Magnitude MW was made on the basis of 12 pairs of magnitude MS-MW to
which correspond events with MS values between 4.6 and 6.8. The limitation of the range
of application of the relation found (4.6 ≤ MS ≤ 6.8), however, is not derived from an
effective restriction of the empirical correlation, but depends only on the limited available
data. Figure 3.8 shows that it is possible to establish a linear relationship between MW and
MS expressed by the following equation:
M W = 0,6789M S + 2,2192
(3.3)
R 2 = 0,8215
The correlation developed here has been compared in Figure 3.8 with the linear
correlation proposed by Tanner and Shepherd (1997); they are substantially coincident.
Figure 5 shows also the bilinear correlation proposed by Scordilis (2006); this relation
does not fit well the data contained in the present case; on the other hand, the author
himself says that the correlation proposed by him can be considered valid only for large-
scale studies, while for regional studies is necessary to refer to relations that take account
of local magnitude, as was done in this work.
Correlation Ms-Mw
7,5
Linear Correlation based on
y = 0,6789x + 2,2192 our data
7,0
R2 = 0,8215
6,5
6,0
Mw 5,5
Bilinear Correlation developed
byScordilis (2006)
5,0
4,5
Linear Correlation developed
byTanner and Shepherd (1997)
4,0
3,5
3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0 6,5 7,0 7,5
Ms
Figure 3.8 Correlation between MW and MS obtained from local data for earthquakes with magnitude
4.6 ≤ MS ≤ 6.8 (solid line). The dashed lines indicate the linear correlation proposed by
Tanner and Shepherd (1997) and the bilinear correlation proposed by Scordilis (2006)
Regarding the correlation between mb and MW, Figure 3.9 shows a roughly linear
distribution, although the data are more dispersed than in the previous case. The relation
mb - MW, derived from 30 pairs of magnitude mb - MW corresponding to events with 4.0
≤ mb ≤ 6.2, is the following:
M W = 1,1302mb - 0,3383
(3.4)
R 2 = 0,7967
The correlation developed here has been compare in Figure 3.9 with the linear correlation
proposed by Tanner and Shepherd (1997) and the bilinear correlation proposed by
Scordilis (2006).
The linear correlation proposed by Tanner and Shepherd (1997) and our correlation are
different; we chose to use our correlation for two reasons: because it fits better our
available data which regard the studied area (Eastern Caribbean) and because Tanner and
Shepherd (1997), who proposed their relations for Latin America and Caribbean, say in
their report that relationship fit is extremely poor and a wide range of constants could be
substituted in their linear regression without changing the quality of fit substantially.
A43
In the cases of MD and MW, it is not possible to determine correlation ML-MW and MD-
MW, so a bibliographic research was made.
Correlation mb-Mw
7,5
Linear Correlation
y = 1,1302x - 0,3383 based on our data
7,0 R2 = 0,7967
6,5
6,0
Mw 5,5
Bilinear Correlation developed
byScordilis (2006)
5,0
4,5
Linear Correlation developed
byTanner and Shepherd (1997)
4,0
3,5
3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0 6,5 7,0 7,5
mb
Figure 3.9 Correlation between MW and mb obtained from local data for earthquakes with magnitude
4.0 ≤ MS ≤ 6.2 (solid line). The dashed lines indicate the linear correlation proposed by
Tanner and Shepherd (1997) and the bilinear correlation proposed by Scordilis (2006)
In particular, for MW, Figure 3.10 shows the sources and the correlations analyzed, while
in Figure 3.11 you can observe a comparison between the correlations proposed by
various sources analyzed (dashed lines). The comparison shows that the relationships
proposed are very different because each of them has been obtained for a specific region.
This result is consistent with studies conducted by Uhrhammer and Collins (1990),
Uhrhammer et al. (1996), Papazachos et al. (1997) and Margaris and Papazachos (1999)
which showed that the ML estimates can be very different for a same event depending on
the characteristics of the Wood Anderson seismograph used in particular according to the
“effective magnification” that characterizes it (Anderson and Wood, 1924, 1925).
Figure 3.10 shows also the solution adopted by Tanner and Shepherd (1997), who
assumed ML=MW if ML is less than about 7, according to Kanamori (1978).
A44
In our catalogue there are only 12 events with magnitude ML with maximum value of 4.4,
so we decided to assume ML=MW.
In the case of Duration Magnitude, from bibliographic research conduct we extract the
correlations developed by Chen and Tsai (2008) for Taiwan and those proposed by
Pasyanos et al. (1996) for Northern and Central California; they are shown in Figure
3.12, in which there are both expression developed by Chen and Tsai (2008), one for
analogical examined recording and one for digital examined recording, and both relations
proposed by Pasyanos et al. (1996) based on different kind of available data.
A45
Correlation ML-Mw
7.5
7.0
6.5
6.0
Mw 5.5
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5
ML
Figure 3.11 Correlation between MW and ML obtained from used bibliographic sources
Events with only MD values are 429, but MD assumes maximum value of 4.9; thus, we
decided to use Linear correlation in light green developed by Pasyanos et al. (1996): it
represents the intermediate line considering the range of our data (4.0 ≤ MD ≤ 4.9); the
expression is the following:
Correlation MD-Mw
7,5
7
Linear Correlations developed
by Chen and Tsai (2008)
6,5
Mw 5,5
Linear Correlations developed by
Pasyanos (1996)
5
4,5
3,5
3,5 4 4,5 5 5,5 6 6,5 7 7,5
MD
Figure 3.12 Correlation between MW and ML obtained from bibliographic sources used and the
unique pair of MW-ML of our catalogue.
If the magnitude MW appeared directly in one of the sources, this value was primarily
used; otherwise, we chose MW obtained from our linear correlation MW - MS if MS value is
included in the range 4.6-6.8, in which our correlation has been calibrated. In alternative
MW is calculated using MW - mb correlation if mb value is included in the range 4.0-6.2; the
last choice is represented by other kind of magnitude, like ML and MD, whose correlations
with MW were extracted from bibliographic sources. This hierarchy is substantially
according to the one proposed by Tanner and Shepherd (1997). In conclusion the global
catalogue for the Eastern Caribbean cover the period between 1530-2009 and includes
more then 3000 events with MW greater than 4.0 (Figure 3.13). APPENDIX I contains all
events of the Catalogue 1530-2009 with MW ≥ 4.5, used in the following analyses.
A47
Figure 3.13 Events contained in our catalogue for the period 1530-2009 with Mw greater than 4.0
selected for the studied area
A48
4.SEISMOTECTONIC SETTING AND DEFINITION
OF SEISMIC SOURCES
The main features of Caribbean region seismicity have been already presented in the
previous chapter: it appears evident as the the Caribbean plate is overriding the North
and South American plates on the east, while on the west, the Cocos plate is subducting
beneath the Caribbean plate.
Caribbean Plate is moving eastward respect to the adjacent North American and South
American Plates at a rate of approximately 20 mm per year (Gibbs, 2001).
We divided our studied area in 15 seismogenic zones, shown in Figure 4.1; they are
delineated in detail in the following paragraphs. It is evident how some zones are
overlapped by other zones, so Figure 4.2 shows a 3D vision of particular sections in
order to clarify the general chosen scheme.
A50
Figure 4.1 Seismogenic zones in which our studied area, that encompasses Eastern Caribbean
Islands (brown), has been divided
A51
Figure 4.2 The 3D vision of some particular sections ot the seismogenic zones in which our studied
area, that encompasses Eastern Caribbean Islands (brown), has been divided
Bernard & Lambert (1988) suggested that the evaluation of seismic hazard must also take
into account these shallow-moderate earthquakes as the ones occurred on 1851 and 1897
in Guadeloupe (~5.5-6.0 Mw), March 16th 1985 (6.4 Mw) at South of Nevis, and the
event occurred on November 21st 2004 with a magnitude of 6.3 (Mw) in the North-West
of Dominique near the Les Saintes Islands. The fault plane solutions in this zone yield
both, normal and strike-slip focal mechanisms. We observe a marked lower level of
seismicity in the Windward Islands as compared with the other zones of the Eastern
Caribbean; our seismic catalogue lists only two upper-crustal events (depth < 20 km) in
the Windward Islands dated on September 8th 1972 (4.5 Mw) and May 19th 1990 (4.7
Mw) on Grenada and Saint Lucia respectively, confirming the quiescence characteristic of
the Lesser Antilles Arc South region.
The largest interface event listed in the catalogue dates on October 10th 1974 (7.3 Mw)
with its epicenter located between Antigua and Barbuda (Zone 2). The largest intra-plate
earthquakes within Zone 4 occurred on February 8th 1843 and on April 5th 1690, with a
magnitude of 8.0 and 7.5 (Mw), respectively, with both epicenters located to the west of
Antigua and Barbuda Islands. Other intraplate big events occurred in Zone 5 around
Martinique on January 11th 1839, on December 3rd 1906 and November 29th 2007 with
magnitudes 7.3-7.4 (Mw).
Zone 6
This zones includes the Puerto Rico Trench area within depth less than 50 km including
the megathurst faulting along the plate interface of the subducting North American Plate
southward deepening. Also this zone comprises the left lateral strike slip faulting that is
subparallel to the Puerto Rico trench North and North-West of Puerto Rico including the
Septentrional fault. On July 29th 1943 an earthquake ruptured the Puerto Trench with a
magnitude of 7.5 (Mw). This seismogenic zone covers the North of Puerto Rico and
Virgin Islands.
Zone 7
This zone comprises the shallow faults (less than 50 km depth) inland Puerto Rico and
offshore namely, Mona Canyon, South Lajas Fault, Great Northern and Southern Puerto
Rico fault zone, the Anegada Trough and Sombrero Seismic Zone (Clinton et al., 2006).
This seismogenic source has produced earthquakes of magnitude 7.5 and 7.3 (Mw) in the
Anegada and Mona Passage in 1867 and 1918 respectively, yielding normal faulting in a
broad zone of active crustal extension and accompanied by destructive tsunamis (Mueller
et al., 2003). The absence of volcanism in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands suggests
that this zone is not an extension of the island-arc Lesser Antilles structure (Molnar &
Sykes, 1969).
A54
Zone 8
This zone includes the intra-plate subduction seismicity generated by the bending of
North-American slab with depth greater than 50 km. Besides, recent research suggests
the existence of the subducted Caribbean slab confirmed by low velocity anomalies
beneath the Island (Mendoza & McCann, 2006). Then this seismogenic area comprises
the subduction intra-plates slabs of North America southward dipping and the Caribbean
northward dipping beneath the microplate. The largest earthquake listed in our catalogue
within this zone dates on March 24th 1916 (7.4 Mw).
The Muertos Trough offshore southern Puerto Rico constitutes the thrust-trench locus
convergence between the microplate and the Caribbean Plate northward deepening
(Mendoza & McCann, 2009). We exclude this seismic zone of our analysis since the rates
of activity in this zone are poorly known (Mueller et al. 2003) and it seems that based on
the knowledge of the seismic history, the motion along the Muertos Trough appears to
be a small fraction of the Puerto Rico Trench (McCann, 1985). We confirm this
suggestion with the epicentral maps elaborated for this work, the historical literature
consulted to compile our catalogue and the low slip rate suggested in this boundary.
The Northern Range and the Arima Fault comprises a complex fault system with lateral
strike-slip, thrust and normal faulting. On December 2nd and 3rd 2004 events with a
magnitude of 5.8 and 5.4 (Mw) occurred in the central north-east of Trinidad; fault plane
solutions suggest mainly a normal motion with a component of right-lateral strike slip.
The location of these earthquakes and the correspondent focal mechanisms coincides
with the Northern Range normal fault dipping southward mapped by Algar & Pindell
(1993) beneath the Caroni Swamp area.
also takes place in this region reflecting the oblique collision at crustal levels between the
Caribbean and the South American Plate. We observed a high level seismic output in
Zone 14 that extends from 63.5º W to 62.3ºW longitude covering the Araya-Paria
Isthmus, and a moderate seismicity level in Zone 15 that extends from 67.0º to 63.5º W
longitude covering the vicinity of Caracas to the Araya region. The maximum magnitude
listed in our catalogue occurred on October 4th 1957 (6.4 Mw) in Zone 14 and on
September 1st 1530 (8.0 Mw) in Zone 15.
Table 4.1 summurises the main characteristics of the selected seismic zone, which are
depth mean value, type and dominant focal mechanism.
Main Focal
Depth (km) Type
Mechanism
ZONE 1 19.1 Volcanic Normal and Strike-Slip
ZONE 2 29.6 Interface Thrust (Inverse)
ZONE 3 29.4 Interface Thrust (Inverse)
ZONE 4 86.0 Intraplate Normal
ZONE 5 97.9 Intraplate Normal
ZONE 6 32.3 Interface Thrust and Strike-Slip
ZONE 7 28.4 Shallow Normal
ZONE 8 74.5 Intraplate Normal
ZONE 9 24.4 Transition Normal and Strike-Slip
ZONE 10 43.9 Transition/Intraplate Normal and Strike-Slip
ZONE 11 99.5 Intraplate Normal
ZONE 12 32.5 Crustal Normal and Strike-Slip
ZONE 13 23.3 Crustal Strike slip and Thrust
ZONE 14 14.7 Crustal Strike slip and Thrust
ZONE 15 57.3 Crustal Strike slip and Thrust
A57
Figure 4.3 and Figure 4.4 illustrates the geometrical configuration for both, shallow and
deep zones covering the Subduction, upper-crustal volcanic island-arc, transform and
intra-plate faulting and transitions zones. This configuration comprises the Subduction
Trench to the East, and the deepest part of the Atlantic Plate to the West. The
geometrical delimitation for shallow seismicity in the arc includes the Islands, related
epicenters, and main geological structures such as volcanoes and seismic faults.
A58
Figure 4.3 Shallow seismogenic zones with the shallow events of the constructed Catalogue
A59
Figure 4.4 Deep seismogenic zones with the deep events of the constructed Catalogue
A60
5.PROBABILISTIC SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS
probabilistic methods to define a single ground motion parameter (e.g. PGA, spectral
acceleration, etc.), which corresponds to a specified probability of exceedance. The
method is computationally efficient and is particularly useful when there is large
uncertainty regarding the locations of future earthquakes. Conversely, the method results
in the ‘smoothing’ of the hazard over the source areas, which may result in significant
spatial variations in hazard not being revealed.
Secondly, historical earthquake records are usually more complete for larger earthquakes
than for smaller ones. Small earthquakes can go undetected for a variety of physical and
demographical reasons. Time windows in which the catalogue is complete have to be
defined.
Finally, The seismicity of each seismogenic zone is then quantified by the standard
Gutenberg-Richter recurrence relationship (Gutenberg and Richter, 1942), which
hypothesizes the existence of an exponential correlation between the mean annual rate of
exceedance of an earthquake of specified magnitude and the magnitude itself.
¾ to apply the Gardner and Knopoff (1974) algorithm to all catalogue events;
A63
¾ to check specifically the most important events that will be lost because of the
decustering process;
We decide to consider only the events of the catalogue with Moment Magnitude greater
or equal to 4.5.
Table 5.1 Time and distance parameters according to the dynamic window declustering method
(Gardner and Knopoff, 1974)
2.5
1.5
Log (L)
y = 0.1238x + 0.983
1 2
R = 0.9997
0.5
0
2 4 6 8 10
M
4
3.5 y = -0.061x2 + 1.0741x - 1.616
3 R2 = 0.9929
2.5
Log (T)
2
1.5
y = 0.4336x - 0.1165
1
R2 = 0.9491
0.5
0
2 4 6 8
M
Figure 5.1 Regression of the time and distance data proposed by Gardner and Knopoff (1974)
Those events are shown in Figure 5.2: the labels are referred to each studied event.
A65
Figure 5.2 Lost events because of Gardner and Knopoff (1974) declustering method
A66
The comparison between the declustered catalogue and the original catalogue permitted
to indentify these events that should be reinsert in the catalogue by hand: they are
underlined in Table 5.2 with pink rectangules.
For example, the event 2 in ZONE 3 was eliminated in the declustering algorithm
because of the “near” (in time and in space) presence of an event that belog to another
zone, that is ZONE 4; for this case, we decide to reinsert the event 2.
A67
Table 5.2 Specific analyses for the important lost events because of the declustering algorithm
(Gardner and Knopoff, 1974); in yellow the line referred to the studied event; in gray the
line referred to what the algorithm consider the main event.
¾ only the peaks with magnitude grater than 5 in each swarm (DECLUSTERING
2);
¾ the declustered ZONE 1 catalogue using Gardner and Knopoff (1974) method
(DECLUSTERING 3).
0,500
DECLUSTERING 0
0,000
DECLUSTERING 1
-0,500
DECLUSTERING 2
-1,000
DECLUSTERING 3
log(λMw)
-1,500
y = -1,0807x + 5,2847
-2,000
y = -0,9483x + 4,4466
-2,500
-3,000 y = -0,9952x + 4,7502
The Gardner and Knopoff method results is very different from the others: it probably
conducts to underestimate the hazard. The DECLUSTERING 1 and 2 are linked to the
A69
precision in the magnitude determination that is usually considered equal ± 0.2 (for
moment magnitude). The most conservative results are provided by the solution which
keeps all events of ZONE 1, so we decide that all events of ZONE 1 will be put in the
declusterd catalogue.
5.2.1.4 Conclusions
The declustered composite catalogue now includes 770 events. Figure 5.4 shows the
seismicity of the region before and after the declustering.
Figure 5.4 Maps showing the seismicity of the region (a) before declustering (b) after declustering
We notice that applying the events in ZONE 10 B after the declustering becomes 4, a
number that is not sufficient to compute the following analyses.
1,000
ZONE10 A-10 B
0,500
0,000 ZONE 10 A
-0,500 ZONE 10 B
-1,000
log(ΗMw)
The Gutenberg and Richter parameters are very similar for the different analysed cases so
we decide to consider ZONE 10 A and ZONE 10 B like a unique zone in the hazard
computation.
350
200
300
250
150
N° of events
N° of events
200
100
150
100
50 1950
1960
50
0 0
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Years Years
M=5.75- All data M=6.25- All data
50
60
45
40 50
35
40
30
N° of events
N° of events
25
30
20
20 1910
15
1950
10
10
5
0 0
1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 1820 1840 1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Years Years
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30 12
25 10
20 8
N° of events
N° of events
15 6
10 4
1880
1810
5 2
0 0
1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 2000 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
Years Years
1.8
6
1.6
5
1.4
1.2
4
N° of events
N° of events
1
3
0.8
1530
2 0.6
0.4
1
0.2
0 1690 0
1700 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950 1550 1600 1650 1700 1750 1800 1850 1900 1950
Years Years
Figure 5.6 Estimation of completeness period with Visual Cumulative Method considering all
seismogenic zones
MW
4.75 5.25 5.75 6.25 6.75 7.25 7.75 8.25
Zone
1 1960 1949 1849 1879 1897 - - -
2 1959 1949 1959 1919 1889 1969 - -
3 1960 1980 1980 1910 1810 1900 - -
4 1970 1980 1970 1930 1830 1910 1690 1840
5 1958 1958 1908 1818 1718 1908 1838 -
6 1950 1980 1980 1870 1920 1910 1940 -
7 1963 1943 1963 1853 1843 1913 1863 -
8 1958 1948 1958 1938 - 1908 - -
9 1960 1990 1990 1930 - - - -
10 1970 1990 1980 - 1980 - - -
11 1969 1959 1969 1829 1819 1879 1759 -
12 1960 1950 1990 1910 - - - -
13 1959 1959 1989 1869 1919 - - -
14 1959 1949 1909 1809 1929 1989 1899 1529
15 1967 1957 1967 1937 1937 - - -
All 1960 1950 1950 1910 1810 1880 1690 1530
The procedure involves determining those fractions of the total time sample in which the
mean rate of occurrence, R(M), is stable for each magnitude class. This subinterval then
represents the minimum period in which it is assumed that there is complete reporting.
For this purpose, Stepp modelled R(M) as a Poisson point process in time, such that, for
a time interval of T years, the variance of R(M) is given by the following equation,
R( M ) (5.1)
S R2 =
T
where SR is the standard deviation of the mean rate, R(M). Assuming stationary, the
statistical properties of R do not change with time, SR will behave as 1 T . The plot of
the standard deviation as a function of T, known as the completeness plot shows the
expected behaviour of SR (refer Figure 5.7). For a particular magnitude class, the period of
completeness is reflected in this figure by a distinct departure of the SR value from the
linearity of the 1 T slope. This period which should be a minimum for a stable R(M)
becomes successively longer with each higher magnitude class.
1
10
0
10
/ T 0.5
-1
10
0.5
σλ = λ
-2
10
-3
10
1 2
10 10
Time (year)
Figure 5.7 Determination of completeness period using Stepp’s method considering all seismogenic
zones
MW
4.75 5.25 5.75 6.25 6.75 7.25 7.75 8.25
Zone
1 1979 1950 1950 1910 1889 - - -
2 1960 1950 1950 1919 1889 1810 - -
3 1960 1960 1960 1910 1900 1900 - -
4 1970 1970 1970 1930 1830 1830 1690 1530
5 1960 1958 1950 1910 1830 1830 1690 -
6 1960 1960 1960 1910 1910 1910 1690 -
7 1963 1963 1963 1910 1843 1843 1690 -
8 1960 1950 1950 1938 1938 1908 - -
9 1960 1960 1960 1930 - - - -
10 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 - - -
11 1969 1959 1959 1910 1819 1819 1690 -
12 1960 1950 1950 1910 - - - -
13 1960 1960 1960 1910 1910 - - -
14 1960 1950 1950 1910 1810 1810 1690 1530
15 1967 1967 1967 1937 1937 - - -
All 1960 1950 1950 1910 1810 1810 1690 1530
5.2.2.3 Considerations
Comparing the values of Table 5.5 and Table 5.4, it comes out that the evaluation of the
completeness period using the two selected methods gives not so different results, except
for the particular case of ZONE 1.
¾ the developed analyses underline the presence of some anomalies, that is, for
example, in some cases we notice that the completeness period referred to one
zone is grater then the one referred to all data. Basing on those evidences, we
decided to modify the estimates of the completeness periods values using the
following criteria:
¾ for each class of magnitude, the completeness period referred to one zone can
not be grater then the completeness period referred to all data;
A76
¾ for each zone and for the case in which we consider all data, the completeness
period referred to a class of magnitude has not to be greater then the
completeness period of the class characterized by bigger magnitude extreme
values;
¾ for 7.75 and 8.25 magnitude classes, we considered the same completeness
period values estimated for the case which considers all data;
MW
4.75 5.25 5.75 6.25 6.75 7.25 7.75 8.25
Zone
1 1960 1950 1950 1910 1897 - - -
2 1960 1950 1950 1919 1889 1810 - -
3 1960 1960 1960 1910 1900 1900 - -
4 1970 1970 1970 1930 1830 1830 1690 1530
5 1960 1958 1950 1910 1830 1830 1690 -
6 1960 1960 1960 1910 1810 1810 1690 -
7 1963 1963 1963 1910 1843 1843 1690 -
8 1960 1950 1950 1938 1938 1908 - -
9 1960 1960 1960 1930 - - - -
10 1970 1970 1970 1970 1970 - - -
11 1969 1959 1959 1910 1819 1819 1690 -
12 1960 1950 1950 1910 - - - -
13 1960 1960 1960 1910 1910 - - -
14 1960 1950 1950 1910 1810 1810 1690 1530
15 1967 1967 1967 1937 1937 - - -
All 1960 1950 1950 1910 1810 1810 1690 1530
occurrence is a simple mathematical statement that larger events are less frequent than
weaker events and that the difference in relative terms follows an exponential law.
Regional seismicity of a seismogenic zone is described by the parameters ‘a’ and ‘b’ of the
Gutenberg-Richter relationship. For any single source zone, the mean annual rate of
exceedance (λM) of earthquakes with magnitude greater than or equal to M satisfies the
Gutenberg-Richter’s relationship, defined by:
log(λ M ) = a − bM (5.2)
where, a and b are constants, which are often estimated from past seismicity data. The
yearly number of earthquake magnitudes greater than or equal to zero is 10a. A value of b
lower than one indicates that the zone is characterized by the occurrence of a relatively
large number of strong earthquakes, whereas a b value greater than one denotes a
situation where the number of large events is relatively small compared to those of
smaller magnitudes. Once this relationship is defined for a specific zone, the number of
earthquakes (λM) within different magnitude ranges expected in the source zone can be
obtained. Gutneberg-Richter relationship can be rewritten as:
α − β ⋅M
λM = e (5.3)
sup inf
e − β ⋅( MW − MW ) − e − β ⋅( MW
inf
− MW )
λM = ν ⋅ sup
− β ⋅( MW − MWinf )
with MWinf ≤ MW ≤ MWsup (5.4)
1− e
where ν = exp(α − β ⋅ M Winf ) , α = 2.303⋅a and β = 2.303⋅b. M Winf e M Wsup are respectively the
lower and upper bound of magnitude MW considered, while the parameters “a” e “b” are
the same of the sandard Gutenberg-Richter relationship.
Recurrence relationship have been computed after dividing the earthquake magnitude in
different magnitude range of amplitude equal to 0.5. The Gutenberg-Richter recurrence
relationships, based on the results of the completeness period evaluation, have been
A78
estimated. In the present study the value of the maximum magnitude have been
considered is the maximum historical magnitude increased of 0.5.
For the particular case of ZONE 1, we decide to compute the recurrence relationship
also dividing the earthquake magnitude in magnitude range of amplitude equal to 0.25
(assuming valid the evaluation of completeness period done for the range of amplitude
equal to 0.5 because of the low number of available data) and to assume the value which
increases the maximum historical magnitude equal to 0.3. The comparison on the results
obtained with the two different range of magnitude are shown in Table 5.6 (where EI is
“earthquake interval”, that is the inverse value of N in the formula of G-R for a certain
magnitude).
We decided to consider magnitude range of amplitude equal to 0.25: the range equal to
0.5 could mask some particular features, typical of this zone.
15 2.825 -0.699 -0.321 0.478 6.505 1.610 0.320 4.5 6.6 7.1 2.1 61.5 137.5
A79
A80
ZONE 1 ZONE 2
0.500 0.500
0.000 y = -1.0122x + 4.7943 0.000 y = -0.755x + 3.6514
2
-0.500 R = 0.9882 -0.500 R2 = 0.9677
-1.000 -1.000
log(λMw)
log(λMw)
-1.500 -1.500
-2.000 -2.000
-2.500 -2.500
-3.000 -3.000
-3.500 -3.500
-4.000 -4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5
MW MW
ZONE 3 ZONE 4
0.000 0.500
0.000 y = -0.8209x + 4.1637
-0.500
y = -0.7249x + 3.216 R2 = 0.9929
-1.000 2
-0.500
R = 0.9911
-1.000
-1.500
log(λMw)
log(λMw)
-1.500
-2.000
-2.000
-2.500
-2.500
-3.000 -3.000
-3.500 -3.500
-4.000 -4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5
MW MW
ZONE 5 ZONE 6
0.000 0.500
-0.500 y = -0.6804x + 2.9409 0.000
-0.500
-1.000 R2 = 0.9511
-1.000 y = -0.9413x + 4.724
-1.500
log(λMw)
log(λMw)
-1.500 2
R = 0.9826
-2.000
-2.000
-2.500 -2.500
-3.000 -3.000
-3.500 -3.500
-4.000 -4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5
MW MW
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ZONE 7 ZONE 8
0.000 0.000
-0.500 -0.500 y = -0.8096x + 3.6402
-1.000 y = -0.7055x + 3.0434 -1.000 R2 = 0.9462
-1.500 R2 = 0.9937 -1.500
log(λMw)
log(λMw)
-2.000 -2.000
-2.500 -2.500
-3.000 -3.000
-3.500 -3.500
-4.000 -4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5
MW MW
ZONE 9 ZONE 10
0.000 0.000
y = -0.5306x + 2.127
-0.500 y = -0.7271x + 2.9615 -0.500
R2 = 0.8929
-1.000 2
R = 0.9948 -1.000
-1.500 -1.500
log(λMw)
log(λMw)
-2.000 -2.000
-2.500 -2.500
-3.000 -3.000
-3.500 -3.500
-4.000 -4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5
MW MW
ZONE 11 ZONE 12
0.000 0.000
y = -0.7829x + 3.6428 y = -0.6638x + 2.5798
-0.500 2
-0.500
R = 0.9863 R2 = 0.9801
-1.000 -1.000
-1.500 -1.500
log(λMw)
log(λMw)
-2.000 -2.000
-2.500 -2.500
-3.000 -3.000
-3.500 -3.500
-4.000 -4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5
MW MW
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ZONE 13 ZONE 14
0.000 0.000
-0.500 y = -0.7468x + 3.3918 -0.500 y = -0.6347x + 2.5668
-1.000 R2 = 0.9695 -1.000 R2 = 0.9744
-1.500 -1.500
log(λMw)
log(λMw)
-2.000 -2.000
-2.500 -2.500
-3.000 -3.000
-3.500 -3.500
-4.000 -4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5
MW MW
ZONE 15
0.000
-0.500 y = -0.6991x + 2.8253
-1.000 R2 = 0.987
-1.500
log(° Mw)
-2.000
-2.500
-3.000
-3.500
-4.000
4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5
MW
Figure 5.8 Bounded Gutenberg-Richter frequency-magnitude recurrence relationship for all the
seismic zone
GMPEs are applied to estimate the ground motion parameters (i.e. peak ground
acceleration, peak ground velocity, peak ground displacement, spectral ordinates, Arias
intensity, macroseismic intensity, etc.) as a function of independent parameters
characterising the earthquake and the site under study, such as magnitude, source-to-site
distance, earthquake type, faulting mechanism, focal depth, local site conditions.
A83
¾ adequate range of data in terms of magnitude and distance used to develop the
attenuation relationships.
After a careful examination, various GMPEs were selected to characterize each of the
identified seismic zones described in Section 4.1, depending on the dominant typology of
earthquakes (subduction, crustal or volcanic) and prevalent focal mechanism (see Table
4.1):
• SUBDUCTION ZONES:
− Youngs et al. (1997);
− Atkinson and Boore (2003-2008);
− Zhao et al (2006);
− Kanno et al. (2006);
− Lin and Lee (2008).
All these GMPEs are defined for both interface and inslab events and they take into
account for the focal depth. A summary of the main features of these attenuation
equations are listed in Table 5.8. Douglas and Mohais (2008) shown that Kanno et
al. (2006) and Zhao et al. (2006) relations provide quite good predictions of
observed earthquake ground motions and their variabilities in the Lesser Antilles.
This observation is confirmed also in the present study, as it is shown in the
A84
• CRUSTAL ZONES:
− Kanno et al. (2006)
− Zhao et al (2006);
− Abrahamson and Silva (2008);
− Boore and Atkinson (2008);
− Campbel and Bozogornia (2008);
− Chiou and Youngs (2008).
Except for the relations of Kanno et al. (2006) and Zhao et al. (2006), all the
GMPEs adopted for crustal zones are NGA relations developed in the framework
of Next Generation Attenuation Project (Stewart et al., 2008). These relationships
account for magnitude and distance contributions, focal mechanism, site
amplification, sediments effects, hanging wall and non linear soil behaviour. In the
present work rock response only was analysed, while site and sediments effects,
hanging wall and non linear contributions were neglected.
• VOLCANIC ZONE:
− Sadigh et al. (1997);
− Salazar (2004);
− Zhao et al (2006);
− Kanno et al. (2006);
− Mcwerry et al. (2006);
− Abrahamson and Silva (2008);
− Chiou and Youngs (2008)
Unfortunately few attenuation relationships were specifically developed for volcanic
areas. Mcwerry et al. (2006) proposed for New Zealand an attenuation model which
takes into account the faster attenuation of high frequency ground motions in
volcanic regions than elsewhere, while a GMPE for upper-crustal earthquakes in the
volcanic region of El Salvador was developed by Salazar (2004).
A85
In the following paragraph the accurancy of prediction of the previous listed GMPEs is
tested by the comparison with available recordings.
Table 5.8 Summary of attenuation relationships used in the current study for subduction zones
MAGNITUDE
DISTANCE DEFINITION AND HYPOCENTRE DEPTH AND
ATTENUATION EQUATION APPLICATION DEFINITION AND DATABASE
LIMITATIONS LIMITATIONS
LIMITATIONS
Closest distance to the fault
PGA and PSA Developed from a database including
trace for earthquakes with
for 0.075 to 3 s. Depth ≤ 50 km for interface events worldwide earthquakes in subduction
Youngs et al.. (1997) Mw ≥ 5 available fault models, otherwise
Horizontal hypocentral distance Depth > 50 km for inslab events zones: Alaska, Chile, Cascadia, Japan,
component Mexico, Peru, Solomon Islands
10 ≤ Rrup ≤ 500 km.
Mw ≥ 5 Developed from a database including
PGA and PSA Depth < 50 km for interface events thousands of strong motion recordings
Mw =8.5 for Closest distance to the fault
for 0.33 to 25 s. from events occurring in subduction
Atkinson and Boore (2003- interface events trace Depth ≥ 50 km for inslab events
zones around the world, based on both
2008) Horizontal with Mw > 8.5 Depth=100 km for events with
Rrup ≤ 400 km. Cruise (1991) and Youngs et al. (1997)
component Mw =8 for interface Depth>100 km catalogues and added events: Cascadia,
events with Mw > 8 Japan, Mexico, Central America.
Developed from the Japanese strong
Depth < 25 km for crustal events motion dataset and additional overseas
Shorter distance to the rupture
PGA and PSA data from the Western part of US and
zone for earthquakes with Depth < 50 km for interface events
for 0.05 to 5 s. the 1978 Tabs, Iran evens to constrain
Zhao et al. (2006) 5.0 ≤ Mw ≤ 8.3 available fault models, otherwise Depth ≥ 50 km for inslab events
Horizontal the near-source behaviour (20 overseas
hypocentral distance
component Depth =125 km for events with events of a total of 269 events).
Rrup ≤ 300 km for slab events Depth > 125 This GMPE was used also for the
volcanic zone.
Closest distance to the fault
plane for earthquakes with
available fault models, otherwise Developed from Japanese seismic
PGA, PGV, PSA
hypocentral distane waveform data: earthquake records from
for 0.05 to 5 s. Depth ≤ 30 km for shallow events
Kanno et al. (2006) Mw ≥ 5.5 K-NET and KiKnet databases.
Horizontal 1 ≤ Rrup ≤ 30 km Depth > 30 km for deep events
for shallow events This GMPE was used also for shallow
component
and volcanic zones.
30 ≤ Rrup ≤ 300 km
for deep events
Hypocentral distance
PGA and PSA 4.1 ≤ Mw ≤ 6.7
for intraslab events 40 ≤ R ≤ 600 km Depth ≤ 50 km for interface events
for 0.01 to 5 s.
Lin and Lee (2008) for intraslab events Regional relation based on Chilean data.
Horizontal 5.3 ≤ Mw ≤ 8.1 Depth > 50 km for inslab events
for interface events 20 ≤ R ≤ 300 km
component
for interface events
Table 5.9 Summary of attenuation relationships used in the current study for crustal zones
MAGNITUDE DISTANCE
FAULT DEPTH DEFINITION AND
ATTENUATION EQUATION APPLICATION DEFINITION AND DEFINITION AND DATABASE
CONTRIBUTIONS TO SEISMIC RESPONCE
LIMITATIONS LIMITATIONS
Z_TOR: Depth to the top of the coseismic rupture
plane (used in “depth-to-top rupture model”
PGA and PSA contribution). NGA database plus Kocaeli
for 0.01 to 10 s Rupture distance Z_1.0: Depth to the 1 km/s shear wave velocity and Chi-Chi mainshocks,
Rotation- horizon (used in “soil-depth” contribution, which is Chi Chi and Duzce
Abrahamson & Silva (2008) 5 ≤ Mw ≤ 8.5 0 ≤ Rrup ≤ 200 km null if Z_1.0<200 and VS30 ≥ 1000 m/s). aftershocks.
independent
average horizontal In our analysis the hanging wall contribution is not This GMPE was used also
component considered. for the volcanic zone.
If V S30 ≥ 1100 m/s the soil response is assumed
linear for all the periods.
Z_2.5: Depth to the 2.5 km/s shear wave velocity
horizon (used in “sediments” contribution 0 <
Mw > 4
Z_2.5 < 10 km).
Mw < 7.5 Closest distance to the
PGA and PSA If 2 ≤Z_2.5≤ 3, f_sed=0. Developed from the
for normal events surface projection of
for 0.01 to 10 s. the coseismic rupture Z_TOR: Depth to the top of the coseismic rupture updated PEER strong
Mw < 8
Campbell & Bozorgnia (2008) Horizontal plane plane (used in “style-of-foulting” and “hanging motion database, referred to
for reverse events
component wall” contributions, 0<Z_TOR<15 km. simply as the NGA
Mw < 8.5 0 ≤ Rrup ≤ 200 km
(geometric mean) In our work hanging wall contribution is not database.
for strike-slip events
considered.
If VS30 ≥ 1100 m/s the soil response is assumed
linear for all the periods.
Z_TOR: Depth to the top of rupture (used in
“source effects and hanging wall” contributions )
Mw ≥ 4 Z_1.0: Depth to the 1 km/s shear wave velocity
PGV, PGA,PSA horizon (used in “sediments” contribution), which
Mw ≤ 8.5 Closest distance to the PEER-NGA database
for 0.01 to 10 s. is minimum for Z_1.0=0. Z_1.0= 40 m is
for strike-slip events rupture plane (3551 recordings from 173
Chiou & Youngs (2008) Orientation- suggested. earthquakes).
Mw ≤ 8 0 ≤ Rrup ≤ 200 km
independent In our work hanging wall contribution is not
for reverse and This GMPE was used also
average horizontal considered.
normal faulting events for the volcanic zone.
component
Site effects are null for VS30≥1130 m/s (linear
response).
150≤VS30≤1500 m/s
Table 5.10 Continuation of Table 5.9
MAGNITUDE
DISTANCE DEFINITION FAULT DEPTH DEFINITION AND
ATTENUATION EQUATION APPLICATION DEFINITION AND DATABASE
AND LIMITATIONS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SEISMIC RESPONCE
LIMITATIONS
Developed from NGA
database, calibrated for
Western US and other
Closest horizontal distance It does not account for basin response and
similar tectonically active
PGV, PGA, PSA to the surface projection of depth-to top of rupture model as Abrahamson
region of shallow crustal
for 0.01 to 10 s. the fault plane & Silva (2008) and Campbell & Bozorgnia
Boore & Atkinson (2008) 5.0 ≤ Mw ≤ 8.0 faults. Representative of the
Average horizontal (2008).
RJB ≤ 200 km NGA models and
component If VS30(Rock)>760 m/s site response is linear confidently applicable
and site amplification is null. within Europe (Stafford et
al., 2008)
Table 5.11 Attenuation relationship used in the current study only for the volcanic zone
MAGNITUDE
DISTANCE DEFINITION FAULT DEPTH DEFINITION AND
ATTENUATION EQUATION APPLICATION DEFINITION AND DATABASE
AND LIMITATIONS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SEISMIC RESPONCE
LIMITATIONS
Shorter distance to the
PGA and PSA California earthquake
rupture surface for Strike-slip and normal events are distinguished
(<1994) plus Gazli (USSR,
for 0.07 to 4 s. earthquakes with available from reverse/thrust faulting events
Sadigh et al. (1997) 45.0 ≤ Mw ≤ 8.0+ 1976) and Tabas (Iran,
Horizontal fault models, otherwise (amplification coefficient of 1.2).
1978) earthquakes
component hypocentral distance VS30 (Rock) > 750 m/s
Rrup ≤ 100 km
A89
In order to attribute to the GMPEs appropriate weight in the logic tree adopted for the
PSHA, seismic response estimated by the attenuation relationships were compared with
strong motion recordings.
We analyzed and corrected the Strong Motion Data that belong to Seismic Research
Centre (SRC) for five stations located in Trinidad namely Chaguaramas (TCHG), Point
Cumana (TPTC), Bringand Hill (TBH), West Moorings (TWMO) and Atlantic (LNG) for
the period 1997-2008, for the N-S, E-W and Up-Down components of motion. The
instruments are K2 Kinemetrics Inc recording accelerations sampled at 0.005s with a
frequency flat response up to 50 Hz. We corrected the acceleration time histories using a
base-line correction and applying a band pass filter depending of the noise-to-signal ratio
and the dynamic amplification factor of the sensors; we performed the integration in the
frequency domain yielding the velocity and displacement histories. The Response Spectra
for 5% damping are also reproduced in this scheme. Since we are interested in evaluating
the seismic hazard considering firm soil, we selected in our analysis only the recordings
that belong to the stations lying on rock site conditions.
As a part of the Strong Motion processing at SRC, we use the data of BRGM (Bureau de
Recherches Géologiques et Minières - France) that belong to the stations located in
Martinique and Guadeloupe Islands. We employed only the records for two important
earthquakes dated on 1999/06/08 M 5.8 and 2004/11/21 M 6.3 in the interface and
volcanic zone respectively.
A90
Recordings of the strong motion events listed in Table 5.12 are available at various rock
stations. Figure 5.9 shows the location of epicentres and rock stations whose recordings
were used for the comparison with GMPEs (Figure 5.10 - Figure 5.21) in terms of PGA
and spectral accelerations at the representative periods of 0.2 and 1 seconds.
Table 5.12 Eastern Caribbean events whose recordings were compared with GMPEs
Date Mw H Earthquake type LAT. LONG.
November 29, 2007 7.4 148.0 intraplate 14.97 -61.26
October 4, 2000 6.1 110.4 intraplate 11.16 -62.29
October 28, 2005 5.5 80.9 intraplate 11.11 -62.04
November 15, 2006 5.2 98.9 intraplate 10.78 -62.65
October 24, 2005 5.1 137.7 intraplate 11.10 -62.39
November 17, 2006 4.9 135.8 intraplate 11.39 -62.24
January 25, 2001 4.6 85.5 intraplate 10.70 -62.57
June 8, 1999 5.8 52.4 interface 15.07 -60.40
December 2, 2004 5.8 48.2 crustal 10.49 -61.45
December 3, 2004 5.4 40.5 crustal 10.54 -61.46
June 21, 2003 5.3 10.0 crustal 10.79 -59.27
November 21, 2004 6.3 21.2 volcanic 15.73 -61.68
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Figure 5.9 Map of Eastern Caribbean islands with location of epicentres and recording station of
earthquakes whose recordings were compared with GMPEs estimates
A92
The comparison between GMPEs and recorded data shows that records are generally
within the bounds defined by the GMPEs, but with a relative high dispersion with
respect to the various attenuation relationships. As a consequence the identification of
the GMPEs which better fit the recordings is not a simple task.
For subduction events the GMPE of Atkinson and Boore (2008) shows a high variability
with Mw and it predicts significant lower values at low magnitudes (Mw<6) if it is
compared with the other GMPEs, showing an increasing attenuation of amplitudes at
increasing periods and distances (see Figure 5.12 - Figure 5.17). This behavior is more
marked for interface events than for intraplate ones, also at high magnitudes (see Figure
5.17). These differences become smaller for larger magnitudes (see Figure 5.10 and Figure
5.11). In fact the GMPE of Atkinson and Boore (2008) constitutes a lower bound among
the GMPEs adopted for subduction zones, except at Mw=7.4, where it provides
amplitudes in the average range estimated by the other GMPEs (Figure 5.12). This
relationship is in good agreement also with recordings of earthquakes with Mw less than 5
which are strongly overestimated by the other GMPEs (Figure 5.15 and Figure 5.16). At
higher Mw and at hypocentral distances larger than 100 km, for which recordings are
available, the GMPEs of Zhao et al. (2006) and Kanno et al. (2006) seem to better fit the
data with respect to the others. The relationship of Lin and Lee (2008) is characterized by
a lesser attenuation with distance with respect to the other GMPEs and it intersects them
at different hypocentral distances, depending on the period, magnitude and hypocentral
depth.
Concerning crustal earthquakes, from the comparison of the adopted GMPEs, it emerges
a different behaviour depending on the focal mechanism. Kanno et al. (2006) GMPE
constitute the upper bound for normal mechanism (Figure 5.16 and Figure 5.19),
providing significant overestimated values if compared with the other GMPEs, while for
inverse events Chiou and Youngs (2008) constitutes the lower bound and Kanno et al.
(2006) provides values in agreement with Abrahamson and Silva (2008) and Zhao et al.
(2006) (Figure 5.20). Note that, Chiou and Youngs (2008) relations were not used for
earthquakes with hypocentral depth higher than 19 km, over which the function is not
longer valid. Campbel and Bozogornia (2008) relation shows a lesser attenuation with
distance if compared with the other GMPEs. In fact, it maintains almost the same
inclination with distance, while the slope of the other curves significantly increases at
large distances (> 120-140 km). From the comparison with recordings it comes out that
Zhao et al. (2006) and Abrahamson and Silva (2008) are the relations which better
represent an average behaviour of recordings (unfortunately records from only one
earthquake and one rock station are available), although the choose of the most proper
GMPEs is difficult to identify, due to the dispersion of available data.
A93
Regarding with the attenuation in the volcanic Zone 1 we can stress out that the
attenuation characteristics for the earthquakes attacking the islands with epicenters
offshore but inside of our zone 1 (volcanic island arc) could be different from the
attenuation of an earthquake inside the islands with waves travel just below the volcanoes
at short distances (less than 50 km). Concerning volcanic earthquakes, unfortunately, only
PGA from recordings of November 21, 2004 (M 6.3) are available at rock stations (from
Bengoubou-Valerius et al. (2008), as shown in Figure 5.21. The two attenuation
relationships of McVerry et al. (2006) and Salazar (2004) specifically calibrated for
volcanic regions yield quite similar attenuation with distance in volcanic environments for
New Zeland and El Salvador, Central America, respectively. In fact, the recordings of
November 21, 2004 earthquake with epicenter offshore would be dominated by waves of
critical reflection in the Moho not traveling through the entire volcanic structures,
matching the Sadigh et al. (1997) attenuation relationship for upper-crustal earthquakes
worldwide. It is important to notice that McVerry et al. (2006) and Salazar (2004)
relations are valid for hypocentral distances less than about 50 km, because of the rapid
attenuation of waves due to this type of earthquakes. It is clear that they strongly
underestimate recorded data, while the other GMPEs adopted for the volcanic zone are
in reasonable agreement with PGA values. Unfortunately, only data at distances larger
than about 40 km are available; in fact data shown in Figure 5.21 and recorded from 30 to
40 km are circled since the classification of the respective recording stations as “rock
stations” by Bengoubou-Valerius et al. (2008) is disputed. The GMPE proposed by
Sadigh et al. (1997) seems to fit the data better than the others relations, at distances
larger than 100 km too.
It is important to notice that, the GMPE of Kanno et al. (2006) distinguishes between
shallow (depth ≤ 30 km) and deep earthquakes (depth > 30 km), but it does not account
for the hypocentral depth. In fact for all events with depth larger than 30 km it is
assumed the same equation, which differs from the function developed for all events with
depth less than 30 km. Furthermore, no distinction is made between crustal-shallow and
interface earthquakes, and between crustal-deep and intraplate earthquakes. This means
that, although this equation is in good agreement with the available recordings (for the
particular combination of magnitude, depth and kind of earthquake), it generally tends to
provide larger values if compared with the other GMPEs, both for subduction and
crustal events. On the other hand, Zhao et al. (2006) relation is sensible to both
earthquake typology (subduction or crustal) and focal depth. In the PSHA the Chiou and
Youngs (2008) GMPE will be used for the volcanic zone only, since crustal zones are
characterized by depths generally larger than the validity range (< 19 km).
A94
Concluding, for the PSHA the following GMPEs have been adopted:
• SUBDUCTION ZONES:
i) Youngs et al. (1997);
ii) Atkinson and Boore (2003-2008);
iii) Zhao et al (2006);
iv) Kanno et al. (2006);
v) Lin and Lee (2008).
• CRUSTAL ZONES:
i) Zhao et al (2006);
ii) Kanno et al. (2006);
iii) Abrahamson and Silva (2008);
iv) Boore and Atkinson (2008);
v) Campbel and Bozogornia (2008).
• VOLCANIC ZONE:
i) Sadigh et al. (1997);
ii) Zhao et al (2006);
iii) Kanno et al. (2006);
iv) Abrahamson and Silva (2008);
v) Chiou and Youngs (2008).
Mw =7.4 T =0 sec Mw =7.4 T =0.2 sec
1 1
10 10
0 0
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-1 -1
10 10
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
Youngs et al. 97 - average
Mw =7.4 T =1 sec " - average +σ
1 " - average - σ
10
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
0
10 Lin & Lee 08 - average
" - average +σ
Acceleration (g)
" - average - σ
-1 Zhao et al. 06 - average
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
-2 " - average +σ
10
" - average - σ
2007-11-29 component=1 station=GSCA
2007-11-29 component=2 station=GSCA
-3 2007-11-29 component=1 station=GBRA
10 2
10 2007-11-29 component=2 station=GBRA
2007-11-29 component=1 station=GGFA
Hypocentral distance (km)
2007-11-29 component=2 station=GGFA
1
Figure 5.10 Comparison between GMPEs and records of November 29, 2007 intraplate earthquake (Mw =7.4) at three rock stations (GSCA, GBRA, GGFA) in terms of PGA and
spectral accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
Mw =6.1 T =0 sec Mw =6.1 T =0.2 sec
0 0
10 10
-1 -1
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
10 10
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
Youngs et al. 97 - average
Mw =6.1 T =1 sec " - average +σ
0
10 " - average - σ
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
Lin & Lee 08 - average
-1 " - average +σ
Acceleration (g)
10
" - average - σ
Zhao et al. 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-2 Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
10
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
2000-10-4 component=1 station=TPTC
2000-10-4 component=2 station=TPTC
-3 2000-10-4 component=1 station=TBH
10 2 2000-10-4 component=2 station=TBH
10
Hypocentral distance (km)
1
Figure 5.11 Comparison between GMPEs and records of October 4, 2000 intraplate earthquake (Mw =6.1) at two rock stations (TPTC and TBH) in terms of PGA and spectral
accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
0
Mw =5.5 T =0 sec 0
Mw =5.5 T =0.2 sec
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
Youngs et al. 97 - average
" - average +σ
Mw =5.5 T =1 sec
0 " - average - σ
10
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-1
10 Lin & Lee 08 - average
" - average +σ
Acceleration (g)
" - average - σ
-2 Zhao et al. 06 - average
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
-3 " - average +σ
10
" - average - σ
2005-10-28 component=1 station=ALNG
2005-10-28 component=2 station=ALNG
-4
10 2005-10-28 component=1 station=TCHG
2
10 2005-10-28 component=2 station=TCHG
Hypocentral distance (km) 2005-10-28 component=1 station=TBH
2005-10-28 component=2 station=TBH
1
Figure 5.12 Comparison between GMPEs and records of October 28, 2005 intraplate earthquake (Mw =5.5) at three rock stations (ALNG, TCHG, TBH) in terms of PGA and
spectral accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
0
Mw =5.2 T =0 sec 0
Mw =5.2 T =0.2 sec
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
Youngs et al. 97 - average
Mw =5.2 T =1 sec " - average +σ
0
10 " - average - σ
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-1
10 Lin & Lee 08 - average
" - average +σ
Acceleration (g)
" - average - σ
Zhao et al. 06 - average
-2
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
-3
" - average +σ
10 " - average - σ
2006-11-15 component=1 station=ALNG
2006-11-15 component=2 station=ALNG
-4
2006-11-15 component=1 station=TCHG
10 2
2006-11-15 component=2 station=TCHG
10 2006-11-15 component=1 station=TBH
Hypocentral distance (km) 2006-11-15 component=2 station=TBH
1
Figure 5.13 Comparison between GMPEs and records of November 15, 2006 intraplate earthquake (Mw =5.2) at three rock stations (ALNG, TCHG, TBH) in terms of PGA and
spectral accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
0
Mw =5.1 T =0 sec 0
Mw =5.1 T =0.2 sec
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
Youngs et al. 97 - average
Mw =5.1 T =1 sec " - average +σ
0
10 " - average - σ
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
-1 " - average - σ
10 Lin & Lee 08 - average
Acceleration (g)
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-2 Zhao et al. 06 - average
10
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
-3
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
2005-10-24 component=1 station=ALNG
-4
2005-10-24 component=2 station=ALNG
10 2
2005-10-24 component=1 station=TCHG
10 2005-10-24 component=2 station=TCHG
Hypocentral distance (km) 2005-10-24 component=1 station=TBH
2005-10-24 component=2 station=TBH
1
Figure 5.14 Comparison between GMPEs and records of October 24, 2005 intraplate earthquake (Mw =5.1) at three rock stations (ALNG, TCHG, TBH) in terms of PGA and
spectral accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
0
Mw =4.9 T =0 sec 0
Mw =4.9 T =0.2 sec
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 10
2 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
-2 " - average +σ
10
" - average - σ
Zhao et al. 06 - average
-3 " - average +σ
10
" - average - σ
Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
-4 " - average +σ
10
" - average - σ
2006-11-17 component=1 station=TCHG
2006-11-17 component=2 station=TCHG
2
10
Hypocentral distance (km)
1
Figure 5.15 Comparison between GMPEs and records of November 17, 2006 intraplate earthquake (Mw =4.9) at the station TCHG in terms of PGA and spectral accelerations at
periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
1
0
Mw =4.6 T =0 sec 0
Mw =4.6 T =0.2 sec
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 10
2 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
Youngs et al. 97 - average
" - average +σ
0
Mw =4.6 T =1 sec
10 " - average - σ
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
-1
10 " - average - σ
Lin & Lee 08 - average
Acceleration (g)
-2 " - average +σ
10 " - average - σ
Zhao et al. 06 - average
-3 " - average +σ
10
" - average - σ
Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
-4
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
2001-1-25 component=1 station=ALNG
2 2001-1-25 component=2 station=ALNG
10 2001-1-25 component=1 station=TBH
Hypocentral distance (km) 2001-1-25 component=2 station=TBH
Figure 5.16 Comparison between GMPEs and records of January 25, 2001 intraplate earthquake (Mw =4.6) at two rock stations (ALNG and TBH) in terms of PGA and spectral
accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
0
Mw =5.8 T =0 sec 0
Mw =5.8 T =0.2 sec
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km) Hypocentral distance (km)
Youngs et al. 97 - average
Mw =5.8 T =1 sec " - average +σ
0
10 " - average - σ
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
-1 " - average - σ
10 Lin & Lee 08 - average
Acceleration (g)
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-2 Zhao et al. 06 - average
10
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
Atkinson & Boore 08 - average
-3
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
1999-6-8 component=1 station=mbra
-4 1999-6-8 component=2 station=mbra
10 2 1999-6-8 component=1 station=gbra
10 1999-6-8 component=2 station=gbra
Hypocentral distance (km) 1999-6-8 component=1 station=GPAA
1999-6-8 component=2 station=GPAA
1
Figure 5.17 Comparison between GMPEs and records of June 8, 1999 interface earthquake (Mw =5.8) at three rock stations (mbra, gbra, GPAA) in terms of PGA and spectral
accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
Mw =5.8 T =0 sec Mw =5.8 T =0.2 sec
0 1
10 10
-1 0
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -1
10 10
-3 -2
10 10
-4 -3
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance(km) Hypocentral distance(km)
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-2 Campbell & Bozorgnia 08 - average
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
Boore & Atkinson 08 - average
-3 " - average +σ
10 " - average - σ
2004-12-2 component=1 station=ALNG
2004-12-2 component=2 station=ALNG
-4 2004-12-2 component=1 station=TCHG
10 2 2004-12-2 component=2 station=TCHG
10 2004-12-2 component=1 station=TBH
Hypocentral distance(km) 2004-12-2 component=2 station=TBH
1
Figure 5.18 Comparison between GMPEs and records of December 2, 2004 crustal earthquake (Mw =5.8) in the Trinidad faults area, at three rock stations (ALNG, TCHG, TBH) in
terms of PGA and spectral accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
Mw =5.4 T =0 sec Mw =5.4 T =0.2 sec
0 0
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance(km) Hypocentral distance(km)
Zhao et al. 08 - average
Mw =5.4 T =1 sec " - average +σ
-1
10 " - average - σ
Kanno et al. 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
Abrahamson & Silva 08 - average
-2
Acceleration (g)
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
Campbell & Bozorgnia 08 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-3
10 Boore & Atkinson 08 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
2004-12-3 component=1 station=ALNG
2004-12-3 component=2 station=ALNG
-4
10 2
2004-12-3 component=1 station=TCHG
10 2004-12-3 component=2 station=TCHG
Hypocentral distance(km) 2004-12-3 component=1 station=TBH
2004-12-3 component=2 station=TBH
1
Figure 5.19 between GMPEs and records of December 3, 2004 shallow earthquake (Mw =5.4) in the Trinidad faults area, at three rock stations (ALNG, TCHG, TBH), in terms of
PGA and spectral accelerations at periods of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
M =5.3 T =0 sec M =5.3 T =0.2 sec
0
w 0
w
10 10
-1 -1
10 10
Acceleration (g)
Acceleration (g)
-2 -2
10 10
-3 -3
10 10
-4 -4
10 2
10 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance(km) Hypocentral distance(km)
Zhao et al. 08 - average
Mw =5.3 T =1 sec " - average +σ
-1 " - average - σ
10
Kanno et al. 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
Abrahamson & Silva 08 - average
-2 " - average +σ
Acceleration (g)
10 " - average - σ
Campbell & Bozorgnia 08 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-3 Chiou & Youngs 08 - average
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
Boore & Atkinson 08 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-4
10 2
2003-6-21 component=1 station=TBH
10 2003-6-21 component=2 station=TBH
Hypocentral distance(km)
1
Figure 5.20 Comparison between GMPEs and records of June 21, 2003 crustal earthquake (Mw =5.8) at the rock station TBH, in terms of PGA and spectral accelerations at periods
of 0.2, and 1 sec. Both horizontal components are plotted: NS (component 1) and EW (component 2)
Mw =6.3 T =0 sec
0
10
Sadigh et al., 97 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
Zhao et al. 08 - average
-1
" - average +σ
10 " - average - σ
Kanno et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
Acceleration (g)
" - average - σ
Abrahamson & Silva 08 - average
-2 " - average +σ
10
" - average - σ
Chiou & Youngs 08 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-3
Salazar, 04 - average
10 " - average +σ
" - average - σ
McVerry et al., 06 - average
" - average +σ
" - average - σ
-4 2004-11-21 - PGA from Bengoubou-Valerius et al. 08
10 1 2
10 10
Hypocentral distance (km)
1
Figure 5.21 Comparison between GMPEs and records of November 21, 2004 Les Saintes earthquake (Mw =6.3) in Guadeloupe, along the volcanic arc, at various rock stations in
terms of PGA taken from Bengoubou-Valerius et al. (2008). The circle contours stations for which the identification as rock stations by Bengoubou-Valerius et al. (2008)
is disputed
A107
The controlling parameters of the logic-tree considered in this study are: a) estimation
methods of catalogue completeness periods, b) attenuation relationships and c) the
maximum magnitudes. The logic tree for the horizontal component is composed of a 10
branches for each zone; the total number of branches is 150 (see Table 5.13).
Weighting factors have been assigned to alternative models chosen for the controlling
parameters. Higher values of these factors are attributed to models that are believed
(subjectively) to be characterised by a higher likelihood of being correct.
A108
Table 5.13 Proposed logic tree for the horizontal component of ground motion.
ZONE Mmax ATTENUATION RELATION BRANCH
Abrahamson_Silva08_shallow_normal 0.2 1 0.100
Chiou_Youngs08_SHA_shallow_normal 0.2 2 0.100
Mmax 0.5 Kanno06_interface_shallow 0.15 3 0.075
Sadigh_1997_normal 0.25 4 0.125
Zhao06_SHA_crustal_normal 0.2 5 0.100
1
Abrahamson_Silva08_shallow_normal 0.2 6 0.100
Chiou_Youngs08_SHA_shallow_normal 0.2 7 0.100
Mmax+∆ 0.5 Kanno06_interface_shallow 0.15 8 0.075
Sadigh_1997_normal 0.25 9 0.125
Zhao06_SHA_crustal_normal 0.2 10 0.100
AB08_interface 0.1 11 0.050
Kanno06_interface 0.2 12 0.100
Mmax 0.5 Lin_Lee08_interface 0.2 13 0.100
Youngs97_interface 0.2 14 0.100
Zhao06_interface 0.3 15 0.150
2
AB08_interface 0.1 16 0.050
Kanno06_interface 0.2 17 0.100
Mmax+∆ 0.5 Lin_Lee08_interface 0.2 18 0.100
Youngs97_interface 0.2 19 0.100
Zhao06_interface 0.3 20 0.150
AB08_interface 0.1 21 0.050
Kanno06_interface 0.2 22 0.100
Mmax 0.5 Lin_Lee08_interface 0.2 23 0.100
Youngs97_interface 0.2 24 0.100
Zhao06_interface 0.3 25 0.150
3
AB08_interface 0.1 26 0.050
Kanno06_interface 0.2 27 0.100
Mmax+∆ 0.5 Lin_Lee08_interface 0.2 28 0.100
Youngs97_interface 0.2 29 0.100
Zhao06_interface 0.3 30 0.150
AB08_intraslab 0.1 31 0.050
Kanno06_intraslab 0.2 32 0.100
Mmax 0.5 Lin_Lee08_intraslab 0.2 33 0.100
Youngs97_intraslab 0.2 34 0.100
Zhao06_intraslab 0.3 35 0.150
4
AB08_intraslab 0.1 36 0.050
Kanno06_intraslab 0.2 37 0.100
Mmax+∆ 0.5 Lin_Lee08_intraslab 0.2 38 0.100
Youngs97_intraslab 0.2 39 0.100
Zhao06_intraslab 0.3 40 0.150
AB08_intraslab 0.1 41 0.050
Kanno06_intraslab 0.2 42 0.100
Mmax 0.5 Lin_Lee08_intraslab 0.2 43 0.100
Youngs97_intraslab 0.2 44 0.100
Zhao06_intraslab 0.3 45 0.150
5
AB08_intraslab 0.1 46 0.050
Kanno06_intraslab 0.2 47 0.100
Mmax+∆ 0.5 Lin_Lee08_intraslab 0.2 48 0.100
Youngs97_intraslab 0.2 49 0.100
Zhao06_intraslab 0.3 50 0.150
A109
5.6 RESULTS
The ground motion parameters chosen for the seismic hazard computations are the
spectral accelerations (SA) defined according to the following scheme:
¾ 22 structural periods T = 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.75,
0.9, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75 and 3 sec.;
Uniform hazard spectra have been calculated for bedrock motion (horizontal
component).
The above scheme is consistent with the prescriptions of IBC (2006) and ASCE Standard
7-05 (2006) whose compliance was requested by CCEO (Council of Caribbean
Engineering Organizations) President and APETT (Association of Professional
Engineers of Trinidad & Tobago) representative during the workshop held at the
Institute for Critical Thinking, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad
on February 25-26, 2009.
Compliance with North American Building Codes to define the seismic hazard is
guaranteed by the computation of the spectral response accelerations at 0.2 seconds
(denoted in IBC, 2006 by the symbol SS) and 1.0 second (denoted in IBC, 2006 by the
symbol S1) for 2475 return period which correspond to 2 percent probability of
exceedance within a 50-yr. period.
The following maps contain the values of PGA (Figure 5.22), 0.2 sec. SA (Figure 5.23)
and 1 sec. SA (Figure 5.24) computed for the Eastern Caribbean region, considering the
four return periods, 95, 475, 975 and 2475 years.
The following paragraphs focus on the islands of Dominica, Barbados and Trinidad,
whose probabilistic spectra are presented for the four different return periods (bedrock
motion, horizontal component). Some zooms on the maps which contains PGA, 0.2 sec.
SA and 1 sec. SA values are also presented for the islands of Dominica, Barbados and
Trinidad; in particular the zooms regard the maps referred to the spectral response
accelerations at 0.2 seconds and 1.0 second for 2475 return period, which are basic data
of the North American Building Codes. The other maps, which contain all the zooms on
the islands of Dominica, Barbados and Trinidad, are in the folder “PSHA_Maps”,
attached in this report.
A112
Figure 5.22 a) Map of PGA values (g) for the 95 return period
A113
Figure 5.22 b) Map of PGA values (g) for the 475 return period
A114
Figure 5.22 c) Map of PGA values (g) for the 975 return period
A115
Figure 5.22 d) Map of PGA values (g) for the 2475 return period
A116
Figure 5.23 a) Map of SA values (g) at 0.2 sec. for 95 return period
A117
Figure 5.23 b) Map of SA values (g) at 0.2 sec. for 475 return period
A118
Figure 5.23 c) Map of SA values (g) at 0.2 sec. for 975 return period
A119
Figure 5.23 d) Map of SA values (g) at 0.2 sec. for 2475 return period
A120
Figure 5.24 b) Map of SA values (g) at 1 sec. for 475 return period
A122
Figure 5.24 c) Map of SA values (g) at 1 sec. for 975 return period
A123
Figure 5.24 d) Map of SA values (g) at 1 sec. for 2475 return period
A124
Figure 5.25 a) Maps for Dominica of SA values (g) at 0.2 sec. for 2475 return period
A125
Figure 5.25 b) Maps for Dominica of SA values (g) at 1 sec. for 2475 return period
A126
UHS-Dominica
2 RP=95 years
1.75 RP=475 years
1.5 RP=975 years
1.25 RP=2475 years
SA(g) 1
0.75
0.5
0.25
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3
T (s)
Figure 5.26 Probabilistic spectra for different return periods (95, 475, 975 and 2475 years) for bedrock
motion (horizontal component) computed for Dominica.
Figure 5.27 a) Maps for Barbados of SA values (g) at 0.2 sec. for 2475 return period
A128
Figure 5.27 b) Maps for Barbados of SA values (g) at 1 sec. for 2475 return period
A129
UHS-Barbados
2 RP=95 years
1.75 RP=475 years
1.5 RP=975 years
1.25 RP=2475 years
SA (g) 1
0.75
0.5
0.25
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3
T (s)
Figure 5.28 Probabilistic spectra for different return periods (95, 475, 975 and 2475 years) for bedrock
motion (horizontal component) computed for Barbados.
Figure 5.27 a) Maps for Trinidad of SA values (g) at 0.2 sec. for 2475 return period
A131
Figure 5.27 b) Maps for Trinidad of SA values (g) at 1 sec. for 2475 return period
A132
2 RP=95 years
1.75 RP=475 years
1.5 RP=975 years
1.25 RP=2475 years
SA (g) 1
0.75
0.5
0.25
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3
T (s)
Figure 5.30 Probabilistic spectra for different return periods (95, 475, 975 and 2475 years) for bedrock
motion (horizontal component) computed for Trinidad.
Regarding PGA values referred to 475 return period, Figure 5.22 b) shows that the results
obtained in this study for the Estern Caribbean islands are included in a range that
encompasses values from 0.2 to 0.35 g; the same range of PGA values is presented in the
hazard assessment studies of the 1990’s, developed for the Caribbean, Mexico and the
Americas (see Paragraph 2.2.2).
In addition, from all those studies it is clear like the Leewards islands are characterized by
highter seismicity then the Windwards islands.
Unique recent study regarding specifically the Eastern Caribbeam islands was published
in 2003 by Shepherd and Lynch; in this study the maps are referred to the spectral
response accelerations (gals) at 0.2 seconds and 1.0 second for 2475 return period. For
the comparison of the results, we focus on Trinidad island: it comes out that, in the case
of 0.2 sec. SA, this study estimates a range of values between 0.95 and 1.6 g, a little bit
highter then the ones presented in Shepherd and Lynch work (0.6-1.2 g); while for 1 sec.
SA, the values of both the studies are between about 0.25 and 0.45 g.
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APPENDIX I
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by
BIBLIOGRAPHY................................................................................................................................13
1.STRONG MOTION NETWORK ON TRINIDAD:
FEASIBILITY STUDY
¾ All the choices rely on the available funds. We consider a total budget of the
order of 200.000 Euro (290.000 $ at 13/01/2009)
For the planning of the new strong-motion stations we consider the inter-distances, the
near-fault location and the different soil conditions.
is also part of a regional effort to establish a tsunami warning system for the Caribbean
and adjacent areas.
The Seismic Research Unit of the University of West Indies maintains a seismograph
network which, when combined with other networks managed by cooperating agencies,
covers the entire Eastern Caribbean from Trinidad to Virgin Islands (Figure 1.1). In the
figure networks managed by the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP) in the
French Antilles are shown in blue boxes and those managed by the Fundacion
Venezolana de Investigaciones Sismologicas (FUNVISIS) and the Universidad de Oriente
(UDO) are shown in green boxes .
The map of Figure 1.1 shows the regional monitoring networks as they currently exist.
From 1952 to 1977 the seismograph network included at least one station in each of the
main islands of the Eastern Caribbean. The stations recorded data locally and the data
were passed to Unit headquarters in Trinidad by local station operators. In 1977 it was
started the process of linking all outstations by a combination of VHF/UHF radio
telemetry and leased telephone circuits directly to Trinidad ,where the data could be
studied in real time. This system came in to full operation in January 1980. Initially the
main recording medium was analogue magnetic tape but digital recording using first
minicomputers (PDP 11/30) and then microcomputers (PC's) was introduced in the mid
1980's. Increased efficiency both of the regional telephone and of internet
communications systems during the 1990's made it possible to subdivide the network into
a number of sub-networks, which are connected to a local microcomputer. These local
microcomputers transmit data to Trinidad through the internet at regular intervals.
Network calls can also be performed through the ordinary telephone system.
B3
Most stations are equipped by just vertical component short period sensors but each sub-
network includes at least one broadband three-component station. In particular, there are
different types of seismometers in use: 1 Hz, vertical component, L4C passive
seismometer; 3-component Lennartz, 1 Hz active seismometer and Guralp CMG-40T
Broad-Band seismometer (Figure 1.2). The signals from each seismometer, within a node,
are transmitted to the base on computer and digitized by a 16-bit analogue to digital
B4
Table 1.1 Strong motion stations (from Douglas and Mohais, 2009)
The stations TBH and TWMO are located on ground floor of concrete structure,
whereas TCHG is located on ground floor of concreate building in military base and
ALNG is located on ground floor of small concreate shelter in natural gas processing
plant.
All strong-motion stations (Figure 1.2) are equipped with Kinemetric K2 3-D
accelerograph, with dynamic range of 114 db (19 bits).
B5
Figure 1.2 Seismic stations in the Trinidad area (from Lynch, 2008; the international seismic code for
CHAG station is TCHG)
As an example for Trinidad installation we can refer to the RING network (managed by
INGV-CNT) that integrate seismological and geodetic instruments. In particular, RING
integrates GPS receivers with broad band seismometers and accelerometers in real time
connection with 3 center of acquisitions. The co-location of different instruments allow
to detect all frequencies included in the earthquake process, from the inter-seismic strain
accumulation on faults to the radiative part during the rupture process. The seismometers
are Trillium broad-band (40s, 120s or 240s) produced by Nanometrics Seismological
Instruments Inc., as well as the Libra-Gui satellite transmission part. The accelerometers
are the Episensor from Kinemetrics Inc. The GPS receivers are the Leica GRX 1200PRO
B6
A strong motion network can be installed for different goals: monitoring; investigation of
site effects, source characteristics, attenuation; structural dynamics; specific dense
network (fault survey, early warning), seismic hazard assessment, shake maps and loss
estimates.
In this feasibility study we consider the network mainly devoted to monitoring and
seismic hazard assessment, with the aim of recording strong earthquakes (as well as weak
motions, depending on noise level values), for engineering and seismological applications.
Strong-motion recordings play an important role, in particular in high seismic risk areas,
and two sets of sensors will have to be installed so that the recordings never clips. Today
both types of sensors are frequently integrated into a single system: six-channel data
loggers with three weak and three strong-motion channels are the current state-of-the-art,
B7
so we can cover the whole dynamic range of seismic events, from the minimum level,
defined by the ambient noise, to the largest damaging events.
A preliminary location of the recording stations (Table 1.2) has be planned and will be
followed by field surveys and noise measurements in order to detect the most suitable
sites for the installations of the recording stations in the island of Trinidad, with attention
also to zones with high population density. We consider also the distribution of alluvial
formations in Trinidad and, as a preliminary step, we checked the availability of approach
roads for sites using satellite images.
Rio Claro 10.2890 -61.1663 2 km S-SE from urban area (alluvial site)
At the beginning, the new network will be composed by 10 strong motion stations. To
reduce the economical budget of the project we consider 7 new sites needed to improve
the network geometry. We can use 3 of the actual 4 sites (but with upgraded
B8
Figure 1.4 a) Existing situation for velocimetric (square) and strong-motion stations (star); b)
Proposed locations for new strong-motion stations. See text for explanations
B9
The next and crucial point is the selection of the data transmission system, in order to
optimize data transfer to the acquisition center in St. Augustine. The strong-motion data
transmission has to be guaranteed even in case of strong earthquakes.
For this project, satellite communications (VSAT) have a number of distinct advantages
over terrestrial RF types. VSAT does not suffer from the line of sight problems of
terrestrial communications. Any location with a clear view of the satellite in the sky is a
suitable location. Furthermore, Seismic Research Center has extensive expertise in VSAT
system installation and management. Since June 2005, under the coordination of the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the nations bordering the
Caribbean seas and adjacent waters have been working to establish a Tsunami Warning
Network in the region. A contributor in this initiative is the Seismic Research Unit of the
University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago. In the Figure
1.5 we can observe the satellite antenna located at the acquisition center in St. Augustine.
B10
The nature of a VSAT system is such that there is no need for repeaters. Every system
uses the same basic elements making installation, commissioning and maintenance easy.
Networks can be installed and operated after a few days of training. Remote stations can
be placed virtually anywhere, even in isolated areas with hostile terrain. The remote site
equipment is housed in a single outdoor unit and requires no integration. The lightweight
package and small Ku-band antenna are easily transported and can be installed in a few
hours. Accordingly, a choice for the project can be to select the Nanometrics Inc. Libra
VSAT telemetry systems to establish a sustainable and robust seismic network using
velocimetric and strong-motion sensors.
Libra technology is used in over 90% of the world's VSAT based seismograph networks.
A VSAT solution was the best option for our purposes and also the SRU is analyzing
seismic data using Nanometrics Atlas data analysis and processing software.
For data transmission, in most countries, costs are as low as $40/station/month for
continuous high quality 24-bit data. As an example, “a Libra network can be operated for
as little as US $5800 per year, or only $40/station/month. This is based on a typical 16-
B11
stations transmitting continuous 3 ch data at 100 sps over an Intelsat 100 kHz lease, at a
ten-year lease rate of $5800. Larger networks are just as economical, due to Libra's use of
efficient QPSK (quadrature phase shift keying) modulation and TDMA (time domain
multiple access) protocol” (Nanometrics Inc, website).
A common equipment set for all stations combined with solar power operation reduces
spare parts requirements, and simplifies network maintenance. Satellite remote field
stations allow for a complete freedom in station placement, using the same essential
configuration for all applications.
In conclusion, satellite networks are economical to maintain, every system uses the same
basic elements making installation, commissioning and maintenance easy. These systems
have lower operating costs than similar networks using telephone lines, with cost savings
achieved and maintained within 12 to 14 months.
B12
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abrahamson M and Silva W. (2008). “Summary of the Abrahamson and Sinva NGA ground-
motion relations”, Earthquake Spectra, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 67-97.
Beckles D. M., Shepherd J. B. and Aspinall W. P. (1992). The “Soufriere” system: PC-based
instrumentation for acquiring and processing data from seismograph networks.
Tectonophysics, 209: 47-49.
Douglas J. and R. Mohais (2009). Comparing predicted and observed ground motions from
subduction earthquakes in the Lesser Antilles, J. Seismol., 13: 577-587.
Lynch L. (2008). Retrofitting the Caribbean Earthquake Monitoring Networks to provide Tsunami
Surveillance: Implications on Earthquake Risk Reduction, Presentation at the project
meeting; “Evaluation and Mitigation of seismic risk in the Eastern Caribbean Region: a
Workshop convened to Explore Possible Forms of Scientific and Technical Cooperation and
Research”, Institute for Critical Thinking, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine,
Trinidad - February 25-27, 2009
Kinemetrics Inc.
http://www.kinemetrics.com/
Nanometrics Inc.
http://www.nanometrics.ca/
by
1 European Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering (EUCENTRE), Pavia,
Italy.
2 The University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, Trinidad.
INDEX
1. REMOTE SENSING........................................................................................................................1
BIBLIOGRAPHY..................................................................................................................................7
1.REMOTE SENSING
The aim of this work is to illustrate, with the help of a real-world example, how to realize
the iniziative which is being carried forward by the Telecommunications and Remote
Sensing Section within the GEO (www.earthobservations.org) under the Task DI-09-01a
label, i.e. the use of Earth Observation (EO) data for large-scale evaluation of seismic
vulnerability.
In the case at hand, the work consists of a case study on selected urban areas in the
Caribbean islands.
Starting from the coordinates of some areas of interest in the Island of Trininad,
provided by the Caribbean partners, we have selected three urban areas. To perform this
work, Google Earth® was exploited as a tool, and three polygons were created in a
unique .kml file, highlighted in the next figure.
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Figure 1.1 The Island of Trinidad as seen on Google Earth ©. Highlighted in red are the three
polygons with the areas of interest selected with the cooperation of the Caribbean
partners from the University of West Indies
The northmost area is called Vaslayn and it has an extent of 35 km2; slightly southwards
we find the Las Lomas area covering 30 km2, while the southmost area, Golconda,
consists of 27 km2.
At this stage we have exploited the Earth Observation Data Service (EOWEB) of the
DLR (German Aerospace Center) to obtain some Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
images of the island. Thanks to a formerly activated research project, our research unit
has the possibility to apply for new acquisitions on the German TerraSAR-X satellite,
featuring 1 m ground resolution in the Spotlight mode, which is the one of interest for
our work. We have thus submitted an order for a series of new acquisition as no high
resolution archive data was available on the area. The acquisitions took place on the next
few days, then we could download 5 images on two out of three areas via FTP. The third
area could not be acquired probably due to some planning conflicts with other satellite
C3
tasks, causing the cancellation of the request, which unfortunately often happens with
low-priority acquisitions such as those for scientific use. The images were acquired on
both ascending and descending orbits, thus providing two different wiewpoints on the
same area under investigation.
An example of radar image on the area is shown in Figure 1.2; it is clearly visible how the
interpretation of this sort of images is far from being intuitive. Anyway, these images
allow obtaining information not available at all from optical images.
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Figure 1.2 A small portion of SAR image on the area under examination. Even a non-expert can
notice the footprint shape of the building, however further details on these latter are not
obvious from the image
Starting from the same three .kml files from Google Earth © a further order was
submitted to the Eurimage company redistributing optical data. We have purchased three
standard, ortho-ready QuickBird images in bundle panchromatic+multispectral version at
0.61 and 2.44 m resolution respectively. All the images spring from the same acquisition
performer on the 21st December 2005. It was not possible to obtain more recent images
as the later acquisition were affected by relevant cloud cover, which prevented a thorough
analysis of the data.
Every optical+radar image pair on the area is potentially capable of providing all the
required information for an approximate evaluation of the seismic vulnerability on the
acquired buildings. More in detail:
¾ from a radar image one can extract the number of floors, in addition to the ratio
between the height of the ground floor and the height of the other floors; the
second radar image, on the opposite orbit, should provide a cross validation;
¾ from the corresponding optical image one may detect and extract footprint of
the buildings. In particular, the multispectral allows determining the spectral
C5
So, exploiting the features of the different image types, one may perform a study on the
vulnerability of the buildings found in the urban areas. From the optical images, the
footprints may be extracted using a method already known in the literature [1], while
from the SAR images, thanks to their side looking geometry, it is possible to extract the
number of floors [2], and all these information can be fed into a suitable software
combining them together to provide an estimate of the building vulnerability as
represented in the diagram in Figure 1.3.
Figure 1.3 Block diagram of the method for EO-based vulnerability assessment
The relevant data, i.e. the footprint size and number of floors, are used as an input to the
SP-BELA model [3], capable of extracting the vulnerability curves at different damage
levels for a given building.
The final goal is to obtain a map, similar to the one reported in figure 4, where every
building examined is associated with a vulnerability level, represented with different
colours to represent different vulnerability classes and making the representation more
intuitive. A similar work is in progress on the urban site of Messina, and the reader is
referred to [4] for more details on the procedure.
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Unfortunately the limited amount of funding and the scarce cooperation from the local
researchers did not allow the work to be finished properly, nor the problem to be
investigated in deeper detail. We have limited ourselves to a few studies, which are
however expected to fruitfully guide further research in a possible follow-up of the work.
Figure 1.4 Example of vulnerability map. Different colours represent different classes of seismic
vulnerability
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lisini G., Tison C., Tupin F., Gamba P. (2006). “Feature fusion to improve road network
extraction in high-resolution SAR images”, Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, IEEE,
vol.3,no.2,pp.217-221,
URL: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=1621082&isnumber=33954
Polli D., Dell'Acqua F., Gamba P. (2009). “First Steps Towards a Framework for Earth
Observation (EO)-Based Seismic Vulnerability Evaluation”. Environmental Semeiotics
(2009) 2(1), 16-30 . DOI 10.3383/es.2.1.2 © diaRnet® 2009
Borzi B., Crowley H., Pinho R. (2008a):.Simplified Pushover-Based Earthquake Loss Assessment
(SP-BELA) Method for Masonry Buildings. International Journal of Architectural Heritage,
2:4, 353-376.
Polli D., Dell’Acqua F., Gamba P.. “Seismic vulnerability assessment in the framework of GEO: a
case study on Messina, Italy”. Proc. of 2010 Gi4DM conference, 2-4 February 2010, Torino,
Italy. Proceedings on CD-ROM.