seismological society of america - 85th annual …...2013/09/26 · 1 85th annual meeting of the...

1

85th

Annual Meeting of the Eastern Section of

the Seismological Society of America

ES-SSA Charlevoix 2013

October 6 – 8th

, 2013

Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada

Hosted by:

85TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE EASTERN SECTION OF THE SEISMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA OCTOBER 6–8, 2013

2

Meeting Sponsors

Natural Resources Canada

Université Laval

Nanometrics Seismological Instruments Inc.

REF TEK A Division of Trimble

The Ottawa-Carleton Earthquake Research Centre

Student attendance at the meeting is supported by the Eastern Section of the Seismological

Society of America


3

Acknowledgements

The work of many people at the Université Laval, Geological Survey of Canada (Natural

Resources Canada) and others both in Canada and the United States made this meeting possible

and are gratefully acknowledged.

These people include:

Field trip in the Charlevoix region: Léopold Nadeau

Banquet Guest Speaker: Claude Letarte

Scientific Program: Jacques Locat, Université Laval; Maurice Lamontagne, NRCan, Sylvia

Hayek, Carleton University

Abstract Submission and registration: Bo Orloff, Susan Newman, Joy Troyer, SSA main

office

Financial: Janet Drysdale

Graphic Design and Webmaster: Héryk Julien, Bo Orloff

Program Book: Sylvia Hayek

Committee Members: Jaques Locat, Janet Drysdale, Jean-François Bureau, Jean René Rivard, Leopold Nadeau, Miroslav Nastev, Sylvia Hayek and Marie- José Nollet Many thanks to all the session chairs and to the chair of the poster session, Heather Crow, as well

as to the staff at the meeting venue, Fairmont’s Le Manoir Richelieu, Charlevoix, Quebec.

Special thanks for Pierre Archambault (Centre d'études collégiales en Charlevoix) for his support and advice.

Maurice Lamontagne and Jacques Locat

Meeting Convenors


4

Information for the Speakers:

Oral Presentations will be 13 minutes long with 2 minutes for questions. Please make note of the

session and time for your presentation. Equipment for Powerpoint presentations will be available.

The most efficient way to load your presentation on the computer is to bring a USB stick with

your Powerpoint file and load it on the meeting PC during the break before your session.

Presentations will be held in the Malbaie A.

Information for the Poster Presentations:

Mounting material for the posters will be made available. Please be near your posters during part

of the coffee breaks, and during the special poster session on the afternoon of Monday, October

7th

.

The Poster Presentations will be in the Malbaie B.

Information for Session Chairs:

There will be a microphone at the lectern and a wireless microphone available for speakers.

Thirteen minutes should be allotted for the presentation with 2 minutes available for questions

and changeovers. Because of the number of talks and the schedule it is imperative to keep all

speakers on time. However, it is also important to stimulate discussion on each presentation. If

there is no immediate audience questions after a talk (that is on time)

SSA Notices:

Abstracts for meetings of the Eastern Section, SSA are also published in Seismological Research

Letters (SRL). For more information see the SSA website at www.seismosoc.org.

SSA 2014 will be held in Anchorage, Alaska. The Seismological Society of America is currently

accepting proposals for the 2014 SSA Meeting. Help make this a successful SSA meeting by

organizing session to present cutting-edge research in your field. The deadline for session

proposals is October 1st, 2013. For more information see: www.seismosoc.org.

http://www.seismosoc.org/

http://www.seismosoc.org/


5

Meeting at a Glance

Sunday Oct. 6th Monday Oct. 7th Tuesday Oct. 8th

8:00 Meet for field trip

ES-SSA Business Meeting 8:15 8:30 Field Trip Welcome Lamontagne, Locat Earthquakes

and Seismology

Lamontagne 8:45 Grande Secousse

presentation Loisel and Maltais

** Mousavi 9:00 ** Bolarinwa 9:15 Seismic Hazard Nastev ** Napoli 9:30 ** Tamima ** Fereidoni 9:45 ** Hassani ** Hardy

10:00 Bouaanani Darbyshire 10:15 POSTER VIEWING/Coffee break POSTER VIEWING/Coffee break 10:30 10:45 Seismic Hazard Goulet Locat 11:00 Campbell Ruffman 11:15 ** Talukder Induced

Seismicity Horton

11:30 Cramer Kim 11:45 Goulet Konstantinovskaya 12:00 Campbell Kaka 12:15 Lunch Break Lunch Break 13:15 13:30 Seismic Hazard Ruffman Student Presentation Awards 13:45 Cramer Earthquakes

and Seismology

Boatwright 14:00 Ebel Langston 14:15 Nollet Talwani 14:30 Atkinson Boatwright 14:45 Pontbriand Theriault 15:00 POSTER VIEWING/Coffee break Harris

15:15 Closing remarks

15:30 Site Effects ** Crane 15:45 Ghofrani 16:00 Crow 16:15 Naimi 16:30 ** Hayek 16:45 POSTER SESSION 16:45 - 18:00

Chair: Heather Crow

18:00 18:30 Icebreaker

until 22:00

18:45

19:30 BANQUET starts at 7:30 p.m.


6

Schedule

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Field trip: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. Lobby of the Manoir Richelieu;

Leave at 8:30 a.m. sharp.

Ice breaker: Salon de thé; 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Set up of exhibits and posters; 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Malbaie B

Monday, October 7, 2013

Conference: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Malbaie A

Banquet: 7:30 p.m. Salon de thé

Jesuit Seismological Award

Presentation on the geography and history of Charlevoix

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

ES-SSA Annual General Assembly: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.

Conference: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Malbaie A


7

Schedule of Talks

Monday, October 7th

, 2013

** indicates a student presentation; underline indicates presenting author

08:30 – 08:45 Welcome by Jacques Locat and Maurice Lamontagne, meeting convenors.

08:45 – 09:15 POST EXERCICE REPORT ON LA GRANDE SECOUSSE DE CHARLEVOIX - LOISEL,

France-Sylvie and MALTAIS, Bernard

Seismic Hazard

09:15 – 09:30 SEISMIC RISK ASSESSMENT WITH HAZUS CANADA: THE CURRENT STATUS -

NASTEV, Miroslav

09:30 – 09:45 ** DECISION MAKING BEHAVIOR OF EARTHQUAKE EVACUEES: AN

APPLICATION OF DISCRETE CHOICE MODELS - TAMIMA, Umma; CHOUINARD, Luc

09:45 – 10:00 ** COMPARISON OF NGA-WEST 2 GROUND-MOTION PREDICTION EQUATION

WITH RECENTLY RECORDED DATA IN EASTERN NORTH AMERICA – HASSANI, Behzad;

ATKINSON, Gail M.

10:00 – 10:15 ON INTER-COMPONENT CORRELATIONS OF GROUND MOTIONS FROM

EASTERN CANADA – BOUAANANI, Najib; BARTOSH, Ilona

10:15 – 10:45 Coffee Break and Poster Viewing

Seismic Hazard

10:45 – 11:00 THE NGA-EAST DATABASE: DEVELOPMENT, CHALLENGES AND PRODUCTS -

GOULET, Christine A.; KISHIDA, Tadahiro; CRAMER, Chris H.; DARRAGH, Robert B.; SILVA,

Walter J.

11:00 – 11:15 A CONSISTENT U.S.-CANADA CROSS-BORDER METHODOLOGY FOR

ESTIMATING SEISMIC HAZARD AND RISK - THENHAUS, Paul C., CAMPBELL, Kenneth W.,

GUPTA, Nitin, SMITH, David F., KHATER, Mahmoud M.

11:15 – 11:30 ** SEISMIC FA AND FV MAPPING USING A PROBABILISTIC APPROACH:

APPLICATION IN MONTREAL - TALUKDER, Mohammad Kamruzzaman; CHOUINARD, Luc;

and ROSSET, Philippe

11:30 – 11:45 MEMPHIS URBAN SEISMIC HAZARD MAPPING UPDATE: NEW GEOLOGY VS.

SHEAR-WAVE VELOCITY OBSERVATIONS - CRAMER, Chris H.; and DHAR, Mahesh S.

11:45 – 12:00 VALIDATION OF GROUND MOTION SIMULATION METHODS FOR THE NGA-

EAST PROJECT - GOULET, Christine A.; The BroadBand Platform Validation Team

12:00 – 12:15 A 2013 REVISION OF THE CAMPBELL-BOZORGNIA NGA HORIZONTAL GROUND

MOTION MODEL FOR ACTIVE TECTONIC REGIONS - CAMPBELL, Kenneth W.;

BOZORGNIA, Yousef

12 :15 – 13:30 Lunch


8

Seismic Hazard

13:30 – 13:45 THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE A SEISMIC SOURCE ZONE OFF SOUTHWEST

NOVA SCOTIA, OR IN THE GULF OF MAINE - RUFFMAN, Alan

13:45 – 14:00 DEVELOPING GROUND MOTION ESTIMATES FROM M>6.0 EARTHQUAKE

INTENSITY OBSERVATIONS FOR USE IN ENA EMPERICAL GMPES - CRAMER, Chris H.

14:00 – 14:15 SCENARIO EARTHQUAKES FOR ASSESSING POSSIBLE LOSSES FROM STRONG

SEISMIC EVENTS IN NEW ENGLAND AND VICINITY - EBEL, John E.

14:15 – 14:30 RAPID EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS IN

QUEBEC CITY - NOLLET, Marie-José, ABO EL EZZ, Ahmad, FRANCOIS, Jonathan; and NASTEV,

Miroslav

14:30 – 14:45 THE ATTENUATION OF FOURIER AMPLITUDES FOR ROCK SITES IN EASTERN

NORTH AMERICA - ATKINSON, Gail M; BOORE, David M.

14:45 – 15:00 SENSITIVITY TESTS OF GROUND MOTION INTENSITY AND RELATIVE

ECONOMIC LOSSES TO POSSIBLE SCENARIOS OF THE 1663 CHARLEVOIX AND 1732

MONTREAL EARTHQUAKES - PONTBRIAND, C.; KLEIN, E.C.; YANG, W.; GALGANA, G.;

SHABESTARI, K.; SHEN-TU, B. M.; and MAHDYIAR, M.


Site effects

15:30 – 15:45 ** NUMERICAL MODELLING OF SEISMIC RESPONSE IN A SOFT SOIL BASIN;

KINBURN, ONTARIO - CRANE, Stephen; MOTAZEDIAN, Dariush; HAYEK, Sylvia; and HUNTER,

James

15:45 – 16:00 SITE CONDITION EVALUATION USING HORIZONTAL-TO-VERTICAL SPECTRAL

RATIOS OF EARTHQUAKES IN THE NGA-WEST 2 AND JAPANESE DATABASES -

GHOFRANI, Hadi; and ATKINSON, Gail M.

16:00 – 16:15 INVESTIGATING THE DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF LEDA CLAYS IN EASTERN

CANADA - LEBOEUF, Denis; SIVATHAYALAN, Siva; MOTAZEDIAN, Dariush; CASCANTE,

Giovanni; CROW, Heather

16:15 – 16:30 2-D MODELLING OF SITE EFFECT TO INCLINED INCIDENT P WAVE - NAIMI,

Mohammed; CHOUINARD, Luc

16:30 – 16:45 ** THREE-DIMENSIONAL BASIN EFFECTS ON SOFT SOIL RECORDINGS IN THE

OTTAWA, ONTARIO REGION - HAYEK, Sylvia; HUNTER, James; MOTAZEDIAN, Dariush; and

CRANE, Stephen

16:45 – 18:00 Poster Session


9

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

08:00 – 08:30 Meeting des membres du ES-SSA

** indicates a student presentation; underline indicates presenting author

Earthquakes and Seismology

08:30 – 08:45 NEW GEOPHYSICAL DATA HELP LOCATING DEEP REGIONAL FAULTS IN THE

CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE - LAMONTAGNE, Maurice; DUMONT, Régis;

08:45 – 09:00 ** FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT LG ATTENUATION ACROSS EASTERNMOST

CANADA - MOUSAVI, S. Mostafa, and CRAMER, Chris H.

09:00 – 09:15 ** SPATIOTEMPORAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EARTHQUAKES OF THE

MID- ATLANTIC RIDGE AND THE ATLANTIC CONTINENTAL MARGINS - BOLARINWA,

Oluwaseyi J., EBEL, John E.

09:15 – 09:30 ** RELATIVE LOCATIONS OF EARTHQUAKES AND POTENTIAL DRIVING

MECHANISMS OF SEISMICITY ALONG THE NORTHEAST U.S. ATLANTIC PASSIVE

MARGIN - NAPOLI, Vanessa J.; EBEL, John E.

09:30 – 09:45 ** CORRELATION BETWEEN STATIC STRESS CHANGES IMPARTED BY THE M7

1663 EARTHQUAKE AND CURRENT SEISMICITY IN THE CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE –

FEREIDONI, Azadeh; and ATKINSON, Gail

09:45 – 10:00 ** PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF DENSE SEISMIC NETWORK MONITORING IN

THE EPICENTRAL AREA OF THE 1886 CHARLESTON, SC, EARTHQUAKE - HARDY, Anna

C., CHAPMAN, Martin C., BEALE, Jacob N.

10:00 – 10:15 SEISMIC ANISOTROPY BENEATH EASTERN CANADA: A CATALOGUE OF

RECENT SHEAR-WAVE SPLITTING MEASUREMENTS - DARBYSHIRE, Fiona A.


10:45 – 11:00 REVIEWING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE 1663 CHARLEVOIX EARTHQUAKE

(QUEBEC, CANADA) USING LANDSLIDES - LOCAT, Jacques

11:00 – 11:15 THE NOVEMBER 1, 1755 MAREMOTO DE LISBOA IDENTIFIED AS OBSERVED IN

BRAZIL USING PORTUGUESE ARCHIVAL RECORDS - RUFFMAN, Alan; and VELOSO, Jose

Alberto Vivas

Induced Seismicity

11:15 – 11:30 NATURALLY OCCURRING AND INDUCED EARTHQUAKES IN CENTRAL

ARKANSAS - HORTON, Stephen; OGWARI, Paul; AUSBROOKS, Scott.

11:30 – 11:45 INDUCED SEISMICITY DUE TO FLUID INJECTION AT A DEEP WELL IN

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO - Won-Young Kim

11:45 – 12:00 INFLUENCE OF CO2 INJECTION ON FAULT STABILITY AND INDUCED

SEISMICITY IN THE EARLY PALEOZOIC SEDIMENTARY BASIN OF THE ST.

LAWRENCE LOWLANDS (QUEBEC, CANADA): INSIGHT FROM COUPLED RESERVOIR-


10

GEOMECHANICAL MODELING – KONSTANTINOVSKAYA, Elena,; RUTQVIST, Jonny; MALO,

Michel

12:00 – 12:15 PROCESSING PASSIVE MICROSEISMIC DATA FOR RESERVOIR MONITORING IN

SAUDI ARABIA - KAKA,SanLinn I.; REYES-MONTES, Juan.; AL-SHUHAIL, Abdulatif.; JERVIS,

Michael.

12 :15 – 13:30 Lunch

13:30 – 13:45 Student Presentation awards

Earthquakes and Seismology

13:45 – 14:00 THE VARIATION OF LG ATTENUATION IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA -

BOATWRIGHT, John; MACDONALD, Tim; and PHILLIPS, Eleyne

14:00 – 14:15 3D SEISMIC VELOCITY MODEL FOR THE UNCONSOLIDATED MISSISSIPPI

EMBAYMENT SEDIMENTS FROM H/V AMBIENT NOISE MEASUREMENTS - LANGSTON,

C. A.; and HORTON, S.

14:15 – 14:30 ANOMALOUS LOCAL STRESS ROTATION IN THE CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE-

A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION - TALWANI, Pradeep

14:30 – 14:45 AZIMUTHAL VARIATION OF REGIONAL RECORDINGS OF MODERATE

EARTHQUAKES IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA - BOATWRIGHT, John

14:45 – 15:00 EARTHQUAKE LIGHTS ASSOCIATED WITH RIFT ENVIRONMENTS: EXAMPLES

FROM EASTERN NORTH AMERICA - THÉRIAULT, Robert; ST-LAURENT, France; FREUND,

Friedemann, T.; and DERR, John S.

15:00 – 15:15 LOCALIZATION OF THE INTRAPLATE WESTERN QUEBEC SEISMIC ZONE BY

DEEP PRECAMBRIAN STRUCTURES TRANSVERSE TO THE GRENVILLE OROGEN -

HARRIS, Lyal B.; DUFRÉCHOU, Grégory

15:15 – 15:30 Closing remarks


11

Poster Presentations

1. ** INITIAL ENA EMPIRICAL GMPES USING THE NGA-EAST DATABASE - Al Noman, Md

Nayeem, Cramer, Chris H., Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis,

Memphis,TN, 38111

2. ** SPATIAL VARIATION OF CODA WAVE ATTENUATION USING AFTERSHOCKS OF THE

AL-HOCEIMA EARTHQUAKE OF 24 FEBRUARY, 2004, MOROCCO – BOULANOUAR, A.(1)

; EL

MOUDNIB L. (1),(2)

; Mimoun HARNAFI M.(2)

; CHERKAOUI T.E.(2)

; RAHMOUNI A.(1)

; BOUKALOUCH

M.(1)

; and SEBBANI J. (1)

, (1)

Faculty of Science, Mohamed V-Agdal University, Rabat, 10106, Morocco;

(2)Scientific Institute, Mohamed V-Agdal University, Rabat, 10106, Morocco

3. DRAFT UPDATES OF THE 2014 USGS NATIONAL SEISMIC HAZARD MAP FOR THE CENTRAL

AND EASTERN UNITED STATES - BOYD, Oliver, PETERSEN, Mark, MOSCHETTI, Morgan,

MUELLER, Charles, REZAEIAN, Sanaz, HALLER, Kathy, WHEELER, Russell, HARMSEN, Stephen, and

WILLIAMS, Robert, USGS, Golden, CO, 80401

4. THE COMPLETION AND LEGACY OF THE TRANSPORTABLE ARRAY IN THE

CONTERMINOUS USA AND PORTIONS OF CANADA - BUSBY, Robert and WOODWARD, Robert,

presented by HAFNER, Katrin; IRIS Consortium, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC

5. MORE PALEOSEISMIC EVIDENCE FROM THE EAST TENNESSEE SEISMIC ZONE - COX,

Randel Tom, Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, USA,

[email protected], COUNTS, Ron C., US Geological Survey, Newburgh, Indiana 47710, USA,

holocene@hotmail. com, ARMSTRONG, Taylor, Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis,

Tennessee 38152, USA, [email protected], HATCHER, Robert D., Earth and Planetary Sciences,

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410, USA, [email protected], VAUGHN, James D.,

325 East Vine St., Dexter, Missouri 63841, USA, [email protected],WARRELL, Kathleen F.,

Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410, USA,

[email protected],FORMAN, Steven L., Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois,

Chicago, Illinois 60607-7059, USA, [email protected].

6. ** DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A SEISMIC ARRAY FOR MONITORING SOFT SOIL

BASIN RESPONSE NEAR KINBURN, ONTARIO - CRANE, Stephen, HAYEK, Sylvia, MOTAZEDIAN,

Dariush, ASUDEH, Isa, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6; HUNTER,

James, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E8

7. ** SEISMIC SITE RESPONSE OF DISCONTINUOUS PERMAFROST - DADFAR, Behrang, EL

NAGGAR, M. Hesham, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Western University, London,

ON, Canada N6A 5B9; NASTEV, Miroslav, Natural Resources Canada, 490, Rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC,

Canada G1K 9A9

8. ** AFTERSHOCKS RELOCATION IN 2D AND 3D OF AL HOCEIMA EARTHQUAKE FEBRUARY

24, 2004, USING THE THREE COMPONENT OF SEISMOMETER - EL MOUDNIB L.(1),(2)

,

[email protected]; CHERKAOUI T.E. (2)

, HARNAFI M. (2)

, [email protected],

[email protected]; HIMMI M.M. (1)

, [email protected]. (1)

Faculty of Science, Mohamed V-Agdal

University, Rabat, 10106, Morocco and (2)

Scientific Institute, Mohamed V-Agdal University, Rabat, 10106,

Morocco

9. ** SOME STATISTICAL FEATURES OF AFTERSHOCK TEMPORAL BEHAVIOR IN THE ST.

LAWRENCE VALLEY – FEREIDONI, Azadeh, ATKINSON, Gail, Department of Earth Sciences,

University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. [email protected],

[email protected]

10. FAULT LOCKING AND STRAIN PARTITIONING ALONG THE CANADIAN (CASCADIA)

SUBDUCTION ZONE AND THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE- FAIRWEATHER FAULT SYSTEM -

GALGANA, G. A., AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA, [email protected]; KLEIN, E. C., AIR

Worldwide, Boston, MA, [email protected]; SHEN-TU, B. M., AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA,

[email protected]; McCAFFREY, R., Portland State University, Portland, OR,

[email protected]; MAHDYIAR, M., AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA, [email protected];

PONTBRIAND, C., AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA; [email protected]

11. ** EFFECT OF AGING ON BACK ANALYSIS OF A CHARLESTON-AREA PREHISTORIC

EARTHQUAKE MAGNITUDE - GHEIBI, Emad, [email protected]; GASSMAN, Sarah L.,

[email protected]; HASEK, Michael., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of


12

South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA, [email protected]; TALWANI, Pradeep., Department of

Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA, [email protected];

12. INSIGHTS INTO USING H/V AS AN AMPLIFICATION METRIC FROM STUDY OF

EARTHQUAKE RECORDS IN JAPAN - GHOFRANI, Hadi, Department of Earth Sciences, Western

University, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5B7 [email protected], ATKINSON, Gail M., Department

of Earth Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5B7 [email protected]

13. THE WIT AND WISDOM OF CHARLES FRANCES RICHTER - HOUGH, Susan E., South Pasadena,

CA 91030 [email protected]

14. NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPLORING GLOBAL AND REGIONAL EARTHQUAKES IN THE

CLASSROOM AND BEYOND - KAFKA, Alan L., STARR, Justin, C., MOULIS, Anastasia M., Weston

Observatory, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston College, Weston, MA, 02493;

BRAVO, Tammy K., IRIS Consortium, Washington, DC 20005; COLEMAN, Ben, Department of

Mathematics and Computer Science, Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA 18018; TABER, John, IRIS

Consortium, Washington, DC 20005

15. COMPARISON STUDY BETWEEN VAULT SEISMOMETERS AND A NEW POSTHOLE

SEISMOMETER - MOORES, Andrew O., Nanometrics Inc, Kanata, ON, K2K 2A1

16. ** DOUBLE-DIFFERENCE EARTHQUAKE RELOCATION OF CHARLVOIX SEISMICITY,

EASTERN CANADA, AND IMPLICATION FOR REGIONAL GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES -

PANG Meng, LIU Yajing, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University, Montreal,QC,

H3A 0E8

17. THE DISTRIBUTION OF EARTHQUAKES IN THE CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE BASED UPON

A JOINT HYPOCENTER-VELOCITY INVERSION OF LOCAL ARRIVAL TIMES - POWELL,

Christine, KELEMENCKY, Sara, Center for Earthquake Research and Information, The University of

Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152; Lamontagne, Maurice, Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada,

Ottawa (Ontario) K1A0E9

18. EARTHQUAKES IN NORTHERN NEW YORK - REVETTA, Frank A., WHEATON, Danielle,

Department of Geology, State University of New York, Potsdam, NY 13676

19. ** AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND HYPOCENTER DETERMINATION OF THE AUGUST 23,

2011 MINERAL, VIRGINIA, EARTHQUAKE AFTERSHOCK SEQUENCE - WU, Qimin, CHAPMAN,

Martin C., BEALE, Jacob N., Department of Geosciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061,

[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]


13

THE ATTENUATION OF FOURIER AMPLITUDES FOR ROCK SITES IN EASTERN

NORTH AMERICA

ATKINSON, Gail M, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada,

[email protected]; BOORE, David M, USGS, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA,

[email protected]

Abstract:

We develop an empirical model of the decay of Fourier amplitudes for earthquakes of M 3 to 6

recorded on rock sites in eastern North America (ENA) and discuss its implications for source

parameters. Attenuation at distances from 10 to 500 km may be adequately described using a

bilinear model with a geometric spreading of R-1.3

to a transition distance of 50 km, with a

geometric spreading of R-0.5

at greater distances. For low frequencies and distances less than 50

km, the effective geometric spreading given by the model is perturbed using a frequency- and

hypocentral depth-dependent factor defined in such a way as to increase amplitudes at lower

frequencies near the epicenter, but leave the 1-km source amplitudes unchanged. The associated

anelastic attenuation is determined for each event, with an average value being given by a

regional quality factor of Q = 525 f0.45

. This model provides a match, on average, between the

known seismic moment of events and the inferred low-frequency spectral amplitudes at R=1km

(obtained by correcting for the attenuation model). The inferred Brune stress parameters from the

high- frequency source terms are about 600 bars (60 MPa), on average, for events of M >4.5.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Atkinson, Gail


14

AZIMUTHAL VARIATION OF REGIONAL RECORDINGS OF MODERATE

EARTHQUAKES IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA

BOATWRIGHT, John, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA, 94025

Abstract:

We analyze broadband (0.04 to 30 Hz) Fourier spectra of S+Lg+surface wave groups from 37

moderate (3.0 ≤ M ≤ 5.8) earthquakes obtained from Canadian and American seismographs and

accelerographs sited on rock at hypocentral distances from 11 to 600 km. We extend the regional

analysis of Boatwright and Seekins (2011) to vertical components, and implement the two-part

attenuation structure of Boatwright et al. (2013): these improvements allow us to detect

variations in spectral amplitude with azimuth. There is little apparent azimuthal variation for 12

earthquakes, including the 2002 Ausable Forks and the 2004 Rivière-du-Loup earthquakes, and

the azimuthal coverage is insufficient for 14 other earthquakes. 11 earthquakes exhibit

discernible azimuthal variations, including the 1988 Saguenay main shock, foreshock, and

aftershock, as well as the 1990 Mont Laurier and the 2010 Val-des-Bois earthquakes. The

azimuthal variation for these earthquakes appears as an amplification of 2-4 over an event-

specific frequency band. The Saguenay sequence allows us to test whether this variation is

caused by source directivity. The M4.2 foreshock appears amplified to the WSW by a factor of 5

at 2-4 Hz that decreases to 3 at 10 Hz, while the M3.5 aftershock appears amplified to the WSW

by a factor of 2 at 10-20 Hz. The M5.8 main shock does not appear amplified above 3 Hz, but

there is marked azimuthal variability from 0.5 to 2 Hz, with amplification to the SE, as Haddon

(1992) identified. The different directions and frequency bands for the azimuthal amplifications

from these co-located earthquakes are commensurate with source directivity. Similarly, the M4.5

Mont Laurier earthquake appears amplified to the ENE by a factor of 3 at 2-10 Hz. Finally, the

well-recorded 2010 Val-des-Bois earthquake appears amplified from by a factor of ~2 from 0.5

to 4 Hz to the WSW. This amplification corresponds with the elongation of the DYFI intensity

distribution to the SW.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Boatwright, John


15

THE VARIATION OF LG ATTENUATION IN NORTHEASTERN NORTH AMERICA

BOATWRIGHT, John, MACDONALD, Tim, PHILLIPS, Eleyne, U.S. Geological Survey,

Menlo Park, CA, 94025

Abstract:

Lg dominates regional seismograms at 100 to 500 km from earthquakes in North America. The

Lg phase develops as a superposition of S waves that have been critically reflected within the

crust. Beyond 500 km, crustal attenuation progressively reduces Lg relative to Sn, which is

refracted through the uppermost mantle. This simple propagation model has not produced a

consensus attenuation model for Lg in northeastern North America: a generation of analyses has

obtained a wide range of models for Lg attenuation, from Q = 410f 0.5

to 900f 0.2

. We present

results from a broadband (0.04 to 30 Hz) analysis of Fourier spectra of S+Lg+surface wave

groups from 55 small and moderate (3.4 ≤ M ≤ 5.8) earthquakes obtained from vertical and

horizontal components of Canadian and American seismographs and accelerographs sited on

rock at hypocentral distances from 11 to 625 km. For smaller (M < 3.4) earthquakes, we only use

stations within 300 km. The geometrical spreading is assumed to be r-1

out to 50 km, and r1/2

beyond 50 km. The attenuation observed for earthquakes in eastern Quebec and New England

corroborates Boatwright and Seekins’ (2011) result Q = 410f 0.5

for ray paths in the Appalachian

and southeast Grenville Provinces. Earthquakes in the Western Quebec Seismic Zone (WQSZ)

exhibit two different attenuations. Ray paths to the east and south see Q = 412f 0.5

; ray paths to

the west and north see Q = 580f 0.46

. Ray paths to the north and west of Charlevoix are also fit by

Q = 580f 0.46

. For earthquakes located outside the low Q region, such as the 2000 M4.6 Kipawa

earthquake, we can fit the observed attenuation out to 900 km using the appropriate Lg travel

times in the different regions. For earthquakes located inside the low Q region, such as the 2004

M4.6 Rivière-du-Loup earthquake, stations in the high Q region appear to see little or no

attenuation with distance.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Boatwright, John


16

SPATIOTEMPORAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN EARTHQUAKES OF THE MID-

ATLANTIC RIDGE AND THE ATLANTIC CONTINENTAL MARGINS.

Bolarinwa, Oluwaseyi J.1, Ebel, John E.

2,

1Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,

Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA, [email protected] 2Weston Observatory, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston College, 381

Concord Rd., Weston, MA 02493, USA, [email protected]

Abstract:

The history of occasional past, damaging earthquakes coupled with the steady population growth

of the intraplate regions of the Atlantic continental margins (ACM) underscores the need to

better understand the causes of earthquakes in these regions. This study explores the potential

contribution of the ridge push force to the seismicity since 1973 along the ACM by looking for

correlations between the Mid-Atlantic ridge (MAR) earthquake activity and the earthquake

activity within the Atlantic basin, between MAR and ACM, and along the ACM of North

America, Europe, Africa, South America and the Caribbean. We conducted temporal correlations

of the MAR seismicity with that of the ACM seismicity to see if times of greater or reduced

activity along MAR as a whole correspond to times of greater or reduced activity along the ACM

as a whole. No temporal correlation of earthquake activity between MAR and ACM was found.

We also looked for spatial correlations of the earthquake energy release along the MAR with

those at corresponding places within the Atlantic basin and also along the ACM on both sides of

the Atlantic Ocean. Spatial correspondence of the seismicity between MAR, the Atlantic basin

and ACM was determined by mapping transform faults from MAR to the continental margins

along the fracture zones. We delineated and measured the length of each segment of the MAR.

The MAR segment lengths show a fairly strong spatial correlation with the energy release by the

oceanic events (events within the Atlantic basin) and also with the ACM events. Correspondence

between MAR segment lengths and energy release by oceanic events is stronger than that

between MAR segment lengths and energy release by ACM events. This observed diminishing

value of the spatial correlation coefficient away from the ridge may be due to the attenuation of

stress waves from the ridge as they travel outwards to the continents. The total energy release at

the MAR shows no significant correlation with the energy released by the oceanic and ACM

events; however, a spatial series of the energy release of the ridge events alone (excluding energy

from the MAR transform faults) shows a relatively weaker spatial correlation with the oceanic

and also the ACM energy release when compared with the correspondence between MAR length

with Oceanic and ACM energy release. This weaker correspondence might be due to frictional

forces along the MAR transform faults that oppose the ridge push force so that part of the elastic

energy from the MAR is continually lost to friction within the MAR transform fault. The results

of this research suggest that the ridge push force does have some influence on the seismicity in

the Atlantic basin and perhaps a weak influence on the seismicity of the ACM.

Presentation Type: Oral

Presenting Author: Bolarinwa, Oluwaseyi


17

ON INTER-COMPONENT CORRELATIONS OF GROUND MOTIONS FROM

EASTERN CANADA

BOUAANANI Najib, BARTOSH Ilona, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, H3C 3A7,

Canada, [email protected]

Abstract:

Eastern Canada experienced and will probably experience moderate-to-large intra-plate

earthquakes that may pose significant hazard to population and infrastructure. The

seismotectonic processes involved in this region are distinct from those in other earthquake

prone areas such as Western North America. Multidirectional 2D and 3D time-history and modal

analyses are now commonly used by structural engineers, because of the increased complexity of

structural systems, the greater expectations for analysis accuracy, and the availability of modern

high performance computational tools. The selection of appropriate 2D and 3D seismic input is a

very important step when conducting such analyses. In addition to matching site specific criteria

(soil type, epicentral distance, frequency content, etc.) and realistic hazard scenarios

(probabilistic seismic hazard maps, code prescribed return periods, etc.), seismic input should

also account for spatial, time and frequency correlations of multicomponent ground motions. In

this work, we present findings that characterize the inter-component correlations of ground

motions recorded during earthquakes which occurred in Eastern Canada between 1982 and 2010,

namely Miramichi (1982), Nahanni (1985), Saguenay (1988), Cap Rouge (1997), La Malbaie

(1997), Rivière-du-Loup (2005), and Val-des-Bois (2010). After a brief review of the

methodology of stochastic decorrelation, the records are processed numerically to obtain

principal axes, covariances, inclination angles and uncorrelated spectral acceleration amplitudes.

The results are compared to those from other regions such as Western North America. The non-

stationary character of the ground motions is investigated by studying the time evolution of

various parameters characterizing each accelerogram along its principal directions. Discussion of

the results reveals important features than can be used efficiently to assess earthquake effects in

3D structural dynamic analyses.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Bouaanani, Najib


18

DRAFT UPDATES OF THE 2014 USGS NATIONAL SEISMIC HAZARD MAP FOR

THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN UNITED STATES

BOYD, Oliver, PETERSEN, Mark, MOSCHETTI, Morgan, MUELLER, Charles, REZAEIAN,

Sanaz, HALLER, Kathy, WHEELER, Russell, HARMSEN, Stephen, and WILLIAMS, Robert,

USGS, Golden, CO, 80401

Abstract:

The USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps are in the process of being updated; a new version of

the maps is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of calendar year 2014. As part of the

update process, the USGS is considering many changes to the central and eastern United States

(CEUS) source and ground-motion models. These possible changes include: a new moment

magnitude catalog; use of adaptive smoothing techniques; revised maximum magnitudes;

repeating large magnitude earthquake (RLME) sources from the Central and Eastern United

States Seismic Source Characterization Project (CEUS-SSC); and new ground-motion models.

As with prior versions of the maps, the 2014 release will be based on probabilistic seismic

hazard analysis (PSHA). PSHA at a specific site in the CEUS accounts for all known earthquake

sources within 1000 km and their range of potential ground motions for given epicentral

distances. The result is a hazard curve, which depicts the annual rate of exceeding a given

amount of ground motion. These hazard curves are essential to the International Building Code,

where structural vulnerability can be convolved with the hazard curve to define a risk of collapse

that is uniform across the Nation.

Preliminary results using these modified inputs and methods show large changes in seismic

hazard in some areas. For the higher hazard areas, peak ground accelerations with a 2-percent

probability of being exceeded in 50 years may increase or decrease on the order of 30 percent

relative to the 2008 maps. The New Madrid and Charleston source zones are still major

contributors to hazard, while the CEUS-SSC RLME source zones and new earthquake catalog

and ground motion prediction equations alter prior patterns. The new earthquake catalog tends to

increase hazard from Oklahoma, through the New Madrid region, the eastern Tennessee seismic

zone, and into Charleston, SC, whereas the new ground motion models and weighting schemes

generally decrease hazard in most areas.

Presentation Type:

No Preference

Presenting Author:

Boyd, Oliver


19

A 2013 REVISION OF THE CAMPBELL-BOZORGNIA NGA HORIZONTAL GROUND

MOTION MODEL FOR ACTIVE TECTONIC REGIONS

CAMPBELL, Kenneth W., EQECAT, Inc., Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA,

[email protected]; BOZORGNIA, Yousef, PEER, University of California, Berkeley, CA,

94720, USA, [email protected]

Abstract:

We summarize the development of the Campbell-Bozorgnia NGA-West2 empirical ground

motion prediction equation (GMPE) [CB13] and compare it to our previous 2008 NGA model

[CB08]. We used an extensive PEER NGA-West2 database of recordings from shallow crustal

earthquakes in active tectonic regions to develop a revised GMPE for the average horizontal

component of PGA, PGV, and 5%-damped acceleration response spectra at 21 periods ranging

from 0.01-10 s. We applied our own selection criteria to the PEER database to ensure reliability.

This resulted in the selection of 15,521 recordings from 322 earthquakes with magnitudes (M)

ranging from 3.0-7.9, including 7,208 near-source (R=0-80 km) recordings from 282 worldwide

earthquakes that were used to develop our base GMPE and 8,313 far-source (R=80-500 km)

recordings from 276 earthquakes used to model apparent anelastic attenuation. Like in CB08, we

included terms that modeled nonlinear M-scaling, apparent geometric attenuation, style-of-

faulting, hanging-wall effects, shallow linear and nonlinear site response, and 3D basin response.

In CB13 we modified/added several terms made possible by the significant expansion of the

PEER database and the additional working-group studies. These included an additional

magnitude term to accommodate trends seen in the small-magnitude data, a hanging-wall term

based on ground motion simulations; a revised M-dependent style-of-faulting term, a M-

dependent hypocentral depth term; a M-dependent rupture dip term, regionally dependent linear

shallow site and basin response terms; a regionally dependent apparent anelastic attenuation

term; and M-dependent between-event and within-event standard deviations. CB13 is considered

most valid for estimating ground motions from shallow continental earthquakes occurring

worldwide in active tectonic regions for M=3.0-8.0 and R=0-300 km. A comparison of CB08

and CB13 indicates that they give generally similar ground motion estimates for M>5.5 and

R<100 km.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Campbell, Kenneth


20

DEVELOPING GROUND MOTION ESTIMATES FROM M>6.0 EARTHQUAKE

INTENSITY OBSERVATIONS FOR USE IN ENA EMPERICAL GMPES

CRAMER, Chris H., CERI, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152-3050, USA,

[email protected]

Abstract:

Instrumental ground motion observations for eastern North America (ENA) earthquakes are

limited to M<6.0. Intensity observations for M>6.0 ENA earthquakes are available. I convert

intensities to ground motion estimates for use as constraints in empirical ground motion

prediction equation (GMPE) development. My intensity to ground motion conversion uses the

relations of Dangkua and Cramer (2011) for ENA. For a given intensity level, the ground motion

estimate is assigned to the mean log distance for that intensity and for a given earthquake. This

methodology is validated using the 1988 M5.9 Saguenay, QC and 2011 M5.7 Mineral, VA

earthquakes, which have both ground motion and intensity observations. Magnitudes of

historical events are taken from Cramer and Boyd (2013) for M7 ENA earthquakes. Magnitudes

of M6 historical earthquakes are confirmed using the mean intensity Monte Carlo approach of

Cramer and Boyd (2013) with the 1925 M6.2 Charlevoix, QC and 1988 M5.9 Saguenay, QC

earthquakes as reference events. Mean magnitude estimates for the 1943 Marked Tree, AR and

1870 Charlevoix, QC earthquakes are M5.9–6.0 and M6.0–6.1, respectively. 95% confidence

limits on the magnitude estimates are ±0.3-0.4. The 1870 earthquake magnitude estimate is

consistent with Ebel (2013). The intensity data for the 1895 Charleston, MO earthquake is too

contaminated by site effects (Bakun et al., 2003) to be useful at this time. For use in GMPE

development, only the M7 1811–1812 New Madrid and 1886 Charleston, SC earthquakes plus

the M6.2 1925 Charlevoix, QC earthquake provide useful additional constraints over a distance

range of 50 to 1200 km. The 1929 M7.2 Grand Banks earthquake only provides constraints at

large distances of 1200 to 1400 km due to the offshore location of the event. Other historical

events are in the magnitude range of existing ground motion observations or the 1925 event, and

hence not as useful.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Cramer, Chris


21

MEMPHIS URBAN SEISMIC HAZARD MAPPING UPDATE: NEW GEOLOGY VS.

SHEAR-WAVE VELOCITY OBSERVATIONS

CRAMER, Chris H. and DHAR, Mahesh S., CERI, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

38152-3050, [email protected]

Abstract:

In 2011-2012 the Memphis urban seismic hazard maps were updated with an improved and

expanded geology model covering all of Shelby County, Tennessee. The new geology model

predicts fairly uniform ground motions on the Shelby Co. uplands (PGA > 0.3 g) but

significantly lower ground motions on the western lowlands (Mississippi floodplain). The

lowlands have reduced hazard due to shallow soil thickness greater than 30 m. Differences in

ground motions are mostly related to alluvium/loess thickness variations, which have an assigned

shear-wave velocity (Vs) less than 200 m/s. We check on the reality of the new geology based

hazard estimates using two recent earthquakes: the 10/29/2012 M3.6 Parkin, AR west of

Memphis and the 02/21/2012 M3.9 East Prairie, MO to the north. The Parkin, AR observations

at 9 stations in N-S and E-W profiles show a mostly uniform ground motion level across Shelby

Co. over a distance range of 40-90 km, which is not expected from the new geology model. Vs-

profile observations across Shelby Co. (Romero and Rix, 2001) show Vs < 200 m/s consistently

to depths of only ~10 m, unlike the geology model's of ~ 20 m in the NW uplands and greater

than 30 m in the lowlands. The impact of the shallow geology vs. Vs observations are modeled

by seismic ground motion scenario maps and compared to the actual earthquake observations.

This comparison helps validate the shallow Vs model over the shallow geology model.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Cramer, Chris


22

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF SEISMIC RESPONSE IN A SOFT SOIL BASIN;

KINBURN, ONTARIO.

CRANE, Stephen, MOTAZEDIAN, Dariush, HAYEK, Sylvia, Department of Earth Sciences,

Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6; HUNTER, James, Geological Survey of Canada,

Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E8

Abstract:

Three dimensional basin response in soft soil basins has been an interesting research topic in

seismology. A lot of research and computing efforts have been completed in an attempt to

reconstruct seismic basin behavior in numerical modellings, in order to be able to predict their

response in future seismic events. Different sizes and types of basins have been, and are

currently being studied to identify the seismic behaviour of them.

Southeast of Kinburn, Ontario, a soft soil basin has been identified and mapped. It is

approximately oval shaped with axes of approximately 7 km and 5 km in length. The basin is

surrounded by Precambrian and Paleozoic aged rocks, both with measured shear wave velocity

exceeding 2500 m/s. The thickest portion of the basin has been measured as having 96 m of soft

unconsolidated sediments (Leda clay), with shear wave velocities between 70 m/s at the surface

to 250m/s at depth. Beneath Leda clay is a thin layer of glacial till, about 15 m thick, with an

average shear wave velocity of 500 m/s. This basin has been instrumented with a pair of identical

broadband seismic stations, one located on a rock outcrop and the other located very closely to

the deepest part of the basin. The soil seismic station in the center of the basin has recorded

ground motions of more than 25 times larger than the nearby rock seismic station in some

frequency bands.

Using a spectral element method, numerical modeling of seismic response within the basin is

simulated in an effort to reproduce the strong amplifications which have been measured. The

spectral element method solves the three dimensional equations of motion using a spectral

technique over a grid of unevenly sized hexahedral elements. This method has been used

previously for regional and global simulations of seismic wave propagation and is able to

accurately include the effects of topography and sharply contrasting boundaries between

materials.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Crane, Stephen


23

SEISMIC ANISOTROPY BENEATH EASTERN CANADA: A CATALOGUE OF

RECENT SHEAR-WAVE SPLITTING MEASUREMENTS

DARBYSHIRE, Fiona A. Centre de recherche GEOTOP, Université du Québec à Montréal,

CP8888 succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.

[email protected]

Abstract:

The regions of eastern Canada covered by the provinces of Québec, Labrador, New Brunswick

and Nova Scotia preserve over 3 billion years of geological history and provide important

insights into the assembly and evolution of continents. At the core of the region is the Archean

Superior craton, surrounded by Proterozoic mobile belts such as the New Quebec Orogen and

Grenville Orogen. Younger terranes making up the Phanerozoic Appalachian belt are found in

the southeast.

Measurements of seismic anisotropy across these regions help to provide insights into both the

preservation of fabric within the continental lithosphere, perhaps due to structural alignments or

large-scale internal deformation, and the interaction between the thick lithospheric keel and the

convecting mantle beneath. While it is difficult to separate these different sources of anisotropy,

clues can be found in the regional distribution of fast-polarisation directions and in directional

variation at a given location.

To investigate patterns of seismic anisotropy across eastern Canada, we have measured shear-

wave splitting parameters at 32 broadband seismograph stations from the Canadian National

Seismograph Network, the POLARIS project and the UQAM central-Québec and QUiLLE

networks. The method provides information on the dominant fast-polarisation direction(s) of

anisotropy and inference of the strength of anisotropy via the delay time between fast- and slow-

polarised shear waves.

Across eastern Canada, at a large scale, east-west fast directions dominate the splitting

measurements, broadly consistent with estimates of current mantle flow and plate motion.

However, variations in splitting parameters between regions and back-azimuthal variation at

some of the stations suggest that relict structures, tectonic boundaries and ‘frozen’ deformational

patterns also contribute to present-day seismic anisotropy.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Darbyshire, Fiona


24

SCENARIO EARTHQUAKES FOR ASSESSING POSSIBLE LOSSES FROM STRONG

SEISMIC EVENTS IN NEW ENGLAND AND VICINITY

EBEL, John E., Weston Observatory, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston

College, Weston, MA 02493, USA, [email protected]

Abstract:

As demonstrated by the M5.8 August 2011 Mineral, Virginia earthquake, even earthquakes with

moderate magnitudes can cause large amounts of damage in central and eastern North America.

In order to help assess the possible damage from future moderate and large earthquakes in New

England and vicinity, URS Blume, FEMA, USGS, Weston Observatory of Boston College,

NESEC and the Vermont Geological Survey participated in a study in which HAZUS analyses

for 11 scenario earthquakes were carried out. The locations and magnitudes of the 11 scenario

earthquakes were selected based on historical or modern events, with the same locations as those

events and a somewhat enhanced earthquake magnitude from that estimated for the past event.

Focal depths, focal mechanisms and fault areas were assigned to each scenario earthquake based

on studies of recent earthquakes in the region. Using this information, the USGS computed

theoretical ShakeMaps for each of the 11 scenario earthquakes. The ShakeMaps utilized a

regional surficial soil map to include the effect of local soil amplification of the estimated ground

shaking. The ShakeMaps were then input into HAZUS to estimate the deaths, injuries, building

damage, financial losses and other effects that would be experienced if the earthquakes were to

happen today. The most destructive scenarios are an M6.5 earthquake in central New Hampshire

($5.8B in damage), an M5.8 earthquake at Newburyport, MA ($3.7B in damage), and an M6.5

earthquake offshore east of Cape Ann, Massachusetts ($2.6B in damage). The earthquake loss

results in this report can be used as scenarios for planning purposes by emergency management

and other public officials.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Ebel, John


25

CORRELATION BETWEEN STATIC STRESS CHANGES IMPARTED BY THE M7

1663 EARTHQUAKE AND CURRENT SEISMICITY IN THE CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC

ZONE

FEREIDONI Azadeh, ATKINSON Gail, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western

Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract:

Characterization of seismicity plays a crucial role in evaluation of seismic hazard. The

Charlevoix Seismic Zone (CSZ) is the most seismically active region in eastern Canada and has

experienced several large historic events - 1663 M7.0, 1791 M5.5, 1860 M6.1, 1870 M6.6, and

1925 M6.4 (where M is moment magnitude) - as well as continuous low-level activity. It is

widely discussed that the seismic activity in the CSZ may represent the long aftershock sequence

of the 1663 earthquake, which might have persisted for hundreds of years. To determine whether

the current seismicity continues to be influenced by the 1663 event, we investigated the

correlation between the location of contemporary seismicity in the region and the static stress

changes imparted by the 1663 earthquake. We find that low-level seismicity in the region is

concentrated in areas of positive stress change, suggesting that the current microseismicity in the

CSZ may be affected by the 1663 earthquake. However, the larger contemporary earthquakes

(M>4) that localize near the perimeter of the microseismicity zone are not correlated with the

stress pattern. We conclude that the stress changes produced by the 1663 earthquake help to

explain the complex seismicity patterns observed in the Charlevoix Seismic Zone.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Fereidoni, Azadeh


26

SITE CONDITION EVALUATION USING HORIZONTAL-TO-VERTICAL SPECTRAL

RATIOS OF EARTHQUAKES IN THE NGA-WEST 2 AND JAPANESE DATABASES

GHOFRANI, Hadi, Department of Earth Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario,

Canada N6A5B7 [email protected], ATKINSON, Gail M., Department of Earth

Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5B7 [email protected]

Abstract:

We evaluate the usefulness of the horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratio as a site parameter.

In particular we compare its effectiveness with that of the time-averaged shear-wave velocity to

30 m (VS30), and also look at how those two measures are correlated. The evaluation is

performed considering two major compiled ground-motion databases, one being the international

NGA-West 2 database, and the other being a comprehensive database from Japan. A uniform

procedure is applied to pick peak frequency (fpeak) and peak amplitude (Apeak) from the

averaged H/V spectra for each site in the database. The H/V peak parameters are then grouped

by their behavior, and the variations in the relationship of H/V parameters to VS30 are sought by

region. We conclude that (1) H/V offers as much site information as VS30; (2) VS30 is of

limited descriptive value for deep soil sites, having with fpeak ≤ 1 Hz; and (3) the averaged H/V

spectrum for a site peaks at a specific frequency which is related to the depth of deposit, and has

a stable peak amplitude of ~0.45 log units, independent of the region. We conclude that H/V has

significant advantages over VS30 as a site description variable, and note that it is in general

easier (less expensive) to obtain.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Ghofrani, Hadi


27

THE NGA-EAST DATABASE: DEVELOPMENT, CHALLENGES AND PRODUCTS

GOULET, Christine A., KISHIDA, Tadahiro, Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center,

University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720; CRAMER, Chris H., Center for Earthquake

Research and Information, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152; DARRAGH, Robert

B., SILVA, Walter J., Pacific Engineering and Analysis, El Cerrito, CA, 94530

Abstract:

As part of NGA-East, a group of researchers has compiled a ground motion records database for

events in the Central and Eastern North America (CENA) region. NGA-East is tasked to develop

ground motion models (GMMs) and their associated logic trees for use in probabilistic seismic

hazard analyses. The database is therefore critical, not only for the GMM development itself, but

for the regionalization of attenuation properties in CENA. The NGA-East database is the largest

one ever compiled for CENA: it contains time series for more than 30,000 components recorded

from 90 earthquake events at more than 1,200 stations. The database mostly contains records

from Mw<6, recorded at distances larger than 10 km; the ground motions are therefore

characterized by fairly low amplitudes. Additionally, a large proportion of the motions were

recorded by the Transportable U.S. Array (TA) sensors which have a low resolution of 40

samples per second. These conditions caused additional issues in record processing that were not

encountered in previous database development (e.g. NGA-West database and others).

Throughout the several years required for its development, the database went through various

stages of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) that further highlighted technical issues.

Together with the issues specific to the CENA data, the QA/QC efforts led to the development of

a set of refined processing protocols. We present a summary of the database building process and

an overview of the final processing protocols and products. Technical challenges of the final

processed data are also presented in the context of GMM development.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Goulet, Christine


28

VALIDATION OF GROUND MOTION SIMULATION METHODS FOR THE NGA-

EAST PROJECT

GOULET, Christine A., Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center, University of

California, Berkeley, CA, 94720; The BroadBand Platform Validation Team

Abstract:

NGA-East is tasked to develop ground motion models (GMMs) and their associated logic trees

for use in probabilistic seismic hazard analyses in the Central and Eastern North America

(CENA) region. Unlike other comparable empirical GMM development projects, NGA-East is

faced with a very limited ground motion record dataset. The GMMs are to cover future possible

earthquake events ranging from Mw 4 to 8.2, but there are only a few records for Mw larger than

6 and very limited near-field data. Because of these limitations, the project will heavily rely on

additional ground motions from simulations. One key aspect of the NGA-East simulation tasks is

to first validate existing methods and select those that perform best to generate the forward

simulation ground motions. Although their specific data limitations may not be as important as

for CENA, GMM projects in other regions are also looking at simulations to supplement their

recorded dataset. This need led to the initiation of a large collaborative ground motion validation

project conducted with the Southern California Earthquake Research Center Broadband

Simulation Platform (SCEC BBP). The BBP provides a modular framework to generate

earthquake ruptures, model wave propagation, and to uniformly process a large amount of data.

The validation is currently focused on pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) and consists of two

complementary approaches: Part A involves comparison of simulated ground motions with

recordings from 23 specific earthquakes and Part B compares median GMM results for

hypothetical earthquakes with the median simulations from the BBP methods. The first

validation evaluation was completed in August 2013 and led to the identification of three

methods, out of the five implemented on the BBP, deemed adequate to generate forward

simulations. We present an overview of the validation exercise and highlight key findings from

the first round of evaluation.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Goulet, Christine


29

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF DENSE SEISMIC NETWORK MONITORING IN THE

EPICENTRAL AREA OF THE 1886 CHARLESTON, SC, EARTHQUAKE

Hardy, Anna C., Chapman, Martin C., Beale, Jacob N., Department of Geosciences, Virginia

Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract:

On August 31, 1886, an earthquake of approximately M 7 occurred beneath Summerville, South

Carolina. It remains one of the biggest earthquakes to have occurred on the eastern coast of the

United States. The geologic source has until recently been a matter of speculation. Chapman and

Beale (2008, 2010) imaged Mesozoic-Cenozoic faults in the epicentral area on seismic reflection

profiles collected in the1980's. The reflection data and potential field modeling indicate that the

Coastal Plain sediments are underlain by approximately 4 km of Mesozoic sedimentary and

volcanic rocks. Extensional faults affecting the Mesozoic section show clear evidence of

Cenozoic compressional reactivation. Chapman and Beale (2010) proposed that the Charleston

earthquake occurred due to a compressional reactivation of this fault system. Modern seismicity

occurs in spatial association with the imaged Mesozoic-Cenozoic faults. Focal depths and

mechanisms determined prior to 2011 lack sufficient resolution to address important questions

pertaining to the tectonic framework of the study area. A one-year experiment to collect higher

resolution data was undertaken during 2011-2012. Data processing from several dozen

earthquakes is now underway. Focal mechanism solutions will be derived using both first-

motions and amplitude ratios. Questions to be addressed with this recently collected data set

involve the thickness of the seismogenic zone, the orientation (strike, dip) and nature of slip

(reverse, strike-slip) on the faults, and their relation to the faults imaged at shallower depth on

the seismic reflection profiles. This information will constrain models of how the regional stress

field interacts with the fault system, providing a more thorough understanding of the earthquake

hazard along the east coast of the United States.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Hardy, Anna


30

LOCALIZATION OF THE INTRAPLATE WESTERN QUEBEC SEISMIC ZONE BY

DEEP PRECAMBRIAN STRUCTURES TRANSVERSE TO THE GRENVILLE

OROGEN

HARRIS, Lyal B.; DUFRÉCHOU, Grégory#; INRS-ETE, 490 de la Couronne, Québec, QC,

G1K 9A9, Canada (#

Present address: Géosciences Environnement Toulouse, France)

Abstract:

The Western Quebec seismic zone (WQSZ) is a NW-SE oriented, ca. 160 km wide and 500 km

long intraplate seismic zone including the cities Montreal, Ottawa-Hull, and Cornwall, several

mines, and sites considered for CO2 sequestration and geothermal exploration. Between 1980

and 2000, 16 earthquakes ≥M4.0 occurred at greater focal depths (5–26 km) than surrounding

background seismicity (2–6 km). The WQSZ is transverse to structural trends in the Grenville

Province and does not parallel any major faults with direct surface expressions, hence its origin

has been previously enigmatic.

NW-striking structures have, however, been identified beneath Grenvillian thrust nappes on

enhanced NRCAN ground Bouguer gravity data. The most significant, the Mont Laurier

lineament, is also apparent on seismic tomographic images of the sub-crustal lithospheric mantle

(SCLM) and is hence a lithospheric-scale structure. NW-striking faults, developed during

Archean and Paleoproterozoic rifting, influenced Grenville Province geometry and deformation.

Megakinks in upper Grenville Province nappes developed during Mesoproterozoic (post-

Elzevirian) transcurrent displacements in underlying basement along them. These, and another

set of NNW-striking Paleoproterozoic basement structures, delimit areas of greater spatial

density of earthquake epicentres defining the WQSZ. There is no correlation between the

WQSZ and inferred tracks of the Mesozoic Great Meteor hot spot, as previously postulated.

The WQSZ parallels a zone of divergent mantle flow induced shear tractions at the base of the

SCLM. The Charlevoix seismic zone is situated on the opposite margin. The intraplate New

Madrid seismic zone in SE USA is in a zone of convergent mantle flow. Whilst plate boundary

stresses control seismicity on plate margins, anomalous corridors of high SCLM shear tractions

thus localize these intraplate seismic zones and explain why only some deep ancient structures

are seismically active in continental interiors.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

HARRIS, Lyal


31

COMPARISON OF NGA-WEST 2 GROUND-MOTION PREDICTION EQUATION

WITH RECENTLY RECORDED DATA IN EASTERN NORTH AMERICA

Hassani, Behzad, ATKINSON, Gail M., Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western

Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada

Abstract:

A useful method for development of Ground-motion prediction equations (GMPEs) in data-poor

regions such as eastern North America (ENA) is the referenced empirical approach (Atkinson,

2008; Atkinson and Boore, 2011), in which sparse observational data are compared to an

empirical GMPE from a more data-rich region. We compared the NGA-West 2 GMPE for

shallow events in active regions, as recently developed by Boore et al. (2013) (denoted BSSA13),

with recorded ground motions in ENA, in particular southeastern Canada and the northeastern

U.S. The NGA-West 2 GMPE is notable in that it extends previous GMPEs to lower magnitudes

(M>3.5), making comparisons to ENA data more robust. The comparison was made for Peak

Ground Velocity (PGV), Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA), and Pseudo Spectral Acceleration

(PSA, 5% damped) amplitudes at different periods. The comparison is made by taking the log of

the ratio of the observed value to the value predicted by the reference GMPE; this defines the

residuals in log units. Assuming that the overall magnitude scaling of motions is similar in all

regions, the residuals trends will be a function of period and distance, and be a consequence of

any differences in source amplitude and attenuation. We observe that residual trends for the ENA

data relative to BSSA13 are independent of magnitude, with the residual tending to increase with

distance and frequency. At close distances, residuals tend to be insignificant except at very high

frequencies (>10Hz), suggesting that the western-based GMPE models are generally consistent

with ENA ground-motions. As distance increases, the residuals gradually become positive,

presumably due to the slower attenuation rate at regional distances in ENA compared to WNA.

The proposed referenced empirical GMPEs for ENA can be used for hazard analysis in ENA, in

particular to provide empirically-constrained scaling of motions to magnitudes larger than those

available in the ENA database.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Hassani, Behzad


32

THREE-DIMENSIONAL BASIN EFFECTS ON SOFT SOIL RECORDINGS IN THE

OTTAWA, ONTARIO REGION

HAYEK, Sylvia, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive,

Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada; HUNTER, James, Geological Survey of Canada, Terrain

Geophysics Section, 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E8; MOTAZEDIAN, Dariush, and

CRANE, Stephen, Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive,

Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada

Abstract:

Determination of site effects on ground motion due to an earthquake is an important aspect of

seismic hazard assessment. Although there is some consideration to one-dimensional effects, in

many regions two- and three-dimensional effects can also play a significant role in the resulting

ground motions. Several sediment-filled basins have been discovered under-laying the mostly

flat terrain in the Ottawa valley. The work presented here is part of a larger study looking at the

possible 3-D amplification contributions of these soft-sediment filled bedrock basins.

The waveforms of three recent moderate-sized earthquakes in eastern Canada were examined in

detail from recordings obtained from soil sites situated over three bedrock basins. The

waveforms were examined for particle motions and frequency content, and they were compared

to nearby reference rock sites in order to determine the additional contributions of soft-sediments

and basin topography to the soil recordings. As was predicted, the amplification within a certain

frequency range is above what is expected from purely one-dimensional effects. Although broad-

band amplification occurred on all components of motion, increased horizontal motion was noted.

The data were band-pass filtered around the fundamental frequency to study the resonance effect

in more detail. As well, the waveforms were rotated through differing azimuths, to compare the

spectra and determine preferred directions of motion. For the filtered soil sites, particle-motion

plots have confirmed the presence of primarily horizontal motion of all arriving events, along

with varying apparent azimuths.

In future work, the techniques used on these three earthquakes will be applied to the suite of

events that have been recorded on the station pairs for all three basins; the results for each basin

will be compared with the results of the other two basins to determine possible patterns that

might be of use to predict future ground motion over these basins.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Hayek, Sylvia


33

NATURALLY OCCURRING AND INDUCED EARTHQUAKES IN CENTRAL

ARKANSAS

Horton, Stephen, and Ogwari, Paul, The Center for Earthquake Research and Information at the

University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152; Ausbrooks, Scott, Arkansas Geological Survey,

3815 West Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72204.

Abstract:

Since the first fluid-waste disposal (UIC) well associated with the Fayetteville Shale gas play

became operational in April 2009, central Arkansas has experienced an increase in the rate of

small and moderate earthquakes. Seismic activity in the area includes both naturally occurring

and induced earthquakes that tend to happen in spatial and temporal clusters. CERI and the AGS

closely monitor the area using 5 portable, real-time, broad-band stations (in addition to

permanent and TA stations) to focus on specific sites of suspected induced seismicity. Due to

relatively low intrinsic permeability, fairly high injection pressure (exceeding 3,000 psi) is often

used at UIC wells in this portion of Arkansas. This results in a number of cases in which

seismicity follows soon after the initial injection (or after a major change in injection pressure)

establishing the link between fluid injection and seismicity. We compare and contrast naturally

occurring and induced earthquakes since 2009. The largest and most significant cluster occurred

between October 2010 and June 2011 where a previously unknown fault, the Guy-Greenbrier

fault (~13km long), was illuminated by ~1,000 earthquakes (M≤4.7). We recently reprocessed

the data for this time period and detected over 35,000 events. This intense earthquake activity

was triggered by fluid injection at two newly activated (July and August, 2010) UIC wells. We

update the analysis and results for this sequence of induced earthquakes two years after the wells

were shut-in.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Horton, Stephen


34

PROCESSING PASSIVE MICROSEISMIC DATA FOR RESERVOIR MONITORING

IN SAUDI ARABIA

KAKA,SanLinn I., Earth Sciences Department, KFUPM, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia,

[email protected]; REYES-MONTES, Juan., Applied Seismology Consultants, 5 Claremont

Buildings,Claremont Bank, Shrewsbury, SY1 1RJ, United Kingdom,

[email protected], AL-SHUHAIL, Abdulatif., Earth Sciences Department, KFUPM,

Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia, [email protected];JERVIS, Michael.,Geophysics

Technology Team, EXPEC Advanced Research Center, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, 31311, Saudi

Arabia, [email protected]

Abstract:

We have processed passive microseismic data for reservoir monitoring in Saudi Arabia from a

downhole array consisting of a string of 10 geophones placed in a deviated well at various depths.

The orientations of the geophones were determined from the work done during the early phase of

this study. The geophones were assumed to be located in the monitoring well and were converted

into local coordinates using the location information for the wells. A velocity model for each of

the identified layers was provided by Saudi Aramco, along with depth information for each layer.

From these velocity models, the mean velocity for each layer was calculated and combined with

the layers’ depth information to create a velocity model. This resulted in a 15- layer transversely

isotropic model. The data used in this study included the wireline data recorded during the period

between June 24 and July 23, 2008. The data was recorded continuously at sampling rates of 1

kHz and was stored in sets of two files per monitoring day in SEGY format. Each file contains

30s sections of continuous data. Sequential 30s sections are stored alternatively in each of the

two daily files. We used InSite software to process and search for potential events using a

moving window approach over waveforms root mean square (RMS). To capture full P- and S-

wave arrivals, we increased the waveform window to 2048 ms. A total of 6,236 triggers were

identified and 5,237 were selected as potential events. P- and S- wave arrivals were auto-picked

for all potential events. A total of 1,536 events were located, defining two major clusters. We

further investigated the nature of the clusters and discerned whether they could represent clusters

of events associated to induced or natural fracturing processes. The results show a relatively

higher degree of coherence between events in the linear fracture zone around the well. The

events located in the cluster beneath the monitoring well show a low degree of coherency.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Kaka, SanLinn


35

INFLUENCE OF CO2 INJECTION ON FAULT STABILITY AND INDUCED

SEISMICITY IN THE EARLY PALEOZOIC SEDIMENTARY BASIN OF THE ST.

LAWRENCE LOWLANDS (QUEBEC, CANADA): INSIGHT FROM COUPLED

RESERVOIR-GEOMECHANICAL MODELING

Konstantinovskaya, Elena, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Eau Terre

Environnement INRS-ETE, Quebec City, QC, G1K 9A9, Canada,

[email protected]; Rutqvist, Jonny, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

LBNL, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA; [email protected]; Malo, Michel, Institut National de la

Recherche Scientifique-Eau Terre Environnement INRS-ETE, Quebec City, QC, G1K 9A9,

Canada, [email protected]

Abstract:

A coupled reservoir-geomechanical (TOUGH-FLAC) modeling is applied to evaluate the

potential shear failure along pre-existing high-angle normal faults in the Early Paleozoic

sedimentary units of the St. Lawrence Lowlands (Quebec, Canada) associated with CO2

injection into the sandstone reservoir of the Covey Hill Formation. The spatial variations in fluid

pressure, shear strain and vertical displacement are calculated for different injection rates using a

simplified 2D geological model of the Becancour area between Montreal and Quebec City. The

simulation results show that the likelihood of reactivating two reservoir-bounding faults

(Yamaska and Champlain Faults) strongly depends on reservoir pressure at the faults, which in

turn depends on injection rate, hydrological properties of aquifers and the distance between the

faults and the injection well. The Yamaska Fault, which is located at a shorter distance (1.5 km)

from the injection zone, is easier reactivated than the more distant (4.4 km) Champlain Fault. In

addition, fault permeability affects the timing, localization, rate and length of fault shear slip. If

the fault is sealing, shear slip occurs later in time and it is localized along the fault segment (230

m) below the caprock units. If the fault is permeable, the fault reactivation starts earlier and shear

slip is nucleated along a 50-m-long fault segment in the caprock units and subsequently

progressing up to the surface. Sealing fault behaviour causes asymmetric fluid pressure build-up

and lateral migration of CO2 plume away from the closer-to-injection Yamaska fault that

reduces the overall risk of CO2 leakage along faults. The fault permeability thus influences

injection-related stress variations and the size of the rupture area and, consequently, the

earthquake magnitude.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Konstantinovskaya, Elena


36

NEW GEOPHYSICAL DATA HELP LOCATING DEEP REGIONAL FAULTS IN THE

CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE

LAMONTAGNE, Maurice; DUMONT, Régis; Geological Survey of Canada, 615 Booth St.,

Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1A 0E9

Abstract:

In the Charlevoix Seismic Zone (CSZ), earthquakes only occur in the Precambrian basement

which outcrops on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. There, faults affecting the

basement can be mapped in the field or interpreted in remote sensing images. Most CSZ

earthquakes occur beneath the St. Lawrence River, where the Precambrian basement lies beneath

hundreds of meters of Quaternary sediments and kilometres of Ordovician platform and

Appalachian sequences. In this paper, we describe the positions of the regional faults beneath the

River suggested by magnetic field patterns and the gravity anomalies, two data sources recently

upgraded by new aeromagnetic surveys and gravity measurements.

Regional magnetic maps show the spatial distribution of geological units with different magnetic

susceptibilities. In the CSZ, these differences in magnetic susceptibilities result in high frequency

anomalies where the Precambrian rocks are near the surface, and in a smooth field under the

magnetically transparent Appalachian nappes. The transition between these areas is not

gradational but abrupt, which we interpret as normal faults with large throws.

Bouguer anomaly maps represent the gravity field, which is primarily a function of the crustal

distribution of rock densities. The Bouguer anomaly reveals areas where lighter sedimentary

sequences (mainly Appalachian rocks) get abruptly thicker which is interpreted as normal faults

with large throws.

These interpretations define a model of the Precambrian basement faults beneath the St.

Lawrence River. Earthquakes of the CSZ occur in a transition zone between a SW part, with its

steeply-dipping faults with large normal throw, and a NE part, with en echelon normal faults

with less abrupt deepening of the basement under the Appalachians.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Lamontagne, Maurice


37

3D SEISMIC VELOCITY MODEL FOR THE UNCONSOLIDATED MISSISSIPPI

EMBAYMENT SEDIMENTS FROM H/V AMBIENT NOISE MEASUREMENTS

LANGSTON, C. A., Center for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis,

Memphis, TN 38152, USA, [email protected], HORTON, S., Center for Earthquake

Research and Information, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA,

[email protected]

Abstract:

Nakamura’s (1989) H/V technique was applied to data from 30 new field stations and 64 other

broadband temporary and permanent seismic stations within the Mississippi embayment of the

Central U.S. to develop a three-dimensional model of unconsolidated sediment shear-wave

velocity structure. Using Dart’s (1992) map of sediment thickness as a basis, two self-consistent

models of average shear-wave velocity versus sediment thickness were developed by utilizing

the theoretical linear relationship between the frequency of the H/V peak and shear-wave

velocity. One model was based on the observation that the H/V peak period, Tp (s), versus

sediment thickness, h (m), was seen to be approximately linear with the relationship

Tp=0.003266h+1.084. The second model was developed by considering peak frequency, fp,

versus sediment thickness parameterized to follow lnfp=8.325x10^-7h^2-0.00232h-0.01796.

Overall, the models show low average shear-wave velocity near the edge of the Mississippi

embayment with velocities increasing with increasing sediment thickness, consistent with

increased sediment compaction. These models will be useful in studies of site resonance and

amplification for earthquake shaking hazards and for wave propagation computations for the

region.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Langston, Charles


38

INVESTIGATING THE DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF LEDA CLAYS IN EASTERN

CANADA

LEBOEUF, Denis, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6; SIVATHAYALAN, Siva,

MOTAZEDIAN, Dariush, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6; CASCANTE, Giovanni,

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1; CROW, Heather, Geological Survey of

Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E8;

Abstract:

The Champlain Sea sediments in Eastern Canada known as “Leda Clays” are particularly prone

to amplified ground motions during weak shaking due to large impedance contrasts between soft

soils and high-velocity bedrock. However, current knowledge of the dynamic properties which

govern their behaviour at different strain levels and frequencies of shaking is limited, and this

understanding is critical in making design decisions for civil infrastructure.

Therefore, seismologists, engineers, and geophysicists from the Universities of Laval, Carleton,

Waterloo, and the Geological Survey of Canada, with support from industry partners Hydro-

Québec and Qualitas, are undertaking a three-year joint study investigating soft soil response to

shaking, including the frequency- and strain-dependence of damping, shear wave velocity, and

cyclic shear strength properties of Leda Clays. This will involve laboratory and in situ studies at

three soil sites near Ottawa, ON, Gatineau, QC, and Baie-Comeau, QC where large diameter

samples (127 – 200 mm) have been collected.

The project will be divided into three themes examining: (1) small strain properties at the sample

scale using laboratory methods, compared with in situ properties using surface and downhole

geophysical testing to assess the “large scale” influence of stratigraphy and depth. Theme 2 will

investigate large strain properties of the samples using triaxial methods, and direct simple shear

methods to characterize cyclic resistance ratios under varying loading modes and depths. Theme

3 will model linear and nonlinear ground motion using finite element and finite difference

methods incorporating the results of themes 1 and 2, and recorded earthquake data from the

region.

Ultimately, we anticipate the outputs from all themes will improve the design of existing and

new infrastructure, thereby influencing the safety of 7 million Canadians who live in urban areas

along the Ottawa-Quebec City corridor (ESS contribution number 20130176).

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Crow, Heather


39

REVIEWING THE MAGNITUDE OF THE 1663 CHARLEVOIX EARTHQUAKE

(QUEBEC, CANADA) USING LANDSLIDES

LOCAT, JACQUES, LABORATOIRE D'ÉTUDES SUR LES RISQUES NATURELS

DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING LAVAL

UNIVERSITY, QUEBEC, CANADA, G1V 0A6 [email protected]

Abstract:

The earthquake that occurred on 5 February 1663 is the first strong historical earthquake

recorded in Canada and is currently estimated to have been located near La Malbaie and to have

had a magnitude M of about 7 (Lamontagne 2004). A review of the various landslide signatures

both aerial and submarine has been used to revisit the magnitude of this earthquake. Terrestrial

signatures were found in various parts of Québec including Betsiamites, Saguenay, Charlevoix,

and Mauricie, while submarine slides were found in the Saguenay fjord, along the St. Lawrence

River and in various lakes (mostly on the Canadian Shield). The minimum cumulative volume of

mass movements associated with the 1663 earthquake is 1.7 km3. Using the methods developed

by Keefer (1984, 2002) using the landslides and another one proposed by Bakun et al (2003) and

using the 1925 Charlevoix earthquake for calibration, a revision of the magnitudes has been

developed and is detailed in a paper by Locat (2001). From this analysis, a minimum magnitude

M of 7.2 ± 0.2 and a maximum magnitude are computed which would be close to the maximum

for the Charlevoix area, which has been previously estimated at M = 7.8 ± 0.6 (Mazotti et al.

2005)

References: Bakun, W.H., Johnston, A.C., and Hopper, M.G. 2003. Bulletin of the Seismological Society of

America, 93(1) : 190–202. doi:10.1785/0120020087

Keefer, D.K. 1984. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 95(4) : 406–421. doi:10.1130/0016 -

7606(1984)95<406:LCBE>2.0.CO;2.

Keefer, D.K. 2002. Surveys in Geophysics, 23(6) : 473–510. doi:10.1023/A:1021274710840.

Lamontagne, M. 2004. CSEG Recorder. p. 41–44.

Locat, J., 2011. Canadian Geotechnical Journal, 48 : 1266-1286.

Mazzotti, S., James, T.S., Henton, J., and Adams, J. 2005. Journal of Geophysical Research, 110

(B11) : B11301-1–B11301-16. doi:10.1029/2004JB003590.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Locat, Jacques


40

POST EXERCICE REPORT ON LA GRANDE SECOUSSE DE CHARLEVOIX

LOISEL, France-Sylvie, Regional director of the civil security office of the department of public,

Capitale-Nationale, Chaudière-Appalaches, Nunavik. Quebec, Quebec, G1S 1E5, Canada france-

[email protected]; MALTAIS Bernard, Prefect of the Charlevoix-Est area, Clermont,

Quebec, G4A 1G1, Canada [email protected]

Abstract:

La Grande Secousse de Charlevoix is a behavioral exercise, in the same line as ShakeOut, that

was held on September 26, 2013 in Quebec. The representative of civil security will explain how

the provincial organisation worked with ShakeOut to adapt the resources for the public of

Charlevoix. A presentation of the strategies which were employed to prepare the local authorities

before the exercise and to convince all the partners to participate in the largest earthquake drill in

Quebec history will be done. The representative will end her presentation with the outlook of the

next steps for la Grande Secousse in Quebec in other French-speaking communities.

The prefect of Charlevoix-Est was the leader of the local committee in charge of the preparation

of la Grande Secousse. He will explain the role played by the members of the committee and the

promotional campaign held before the exercise. He will also share the benefits brought by that

exercise to the local authorities of his region and of course, to the population.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

France-Sylvie, Loisel


41

FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT LG ATTENUATION ACROSS EASTERNMOST

CANADA

MOUSAVI, S. MOSTAFA, and CRAMER, CHRIS H., Center for Earthquake Research and

Information, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. [email protected]

Abstract:

Eastern Canada has a relatively low rate of earthquake activity, but some large and damaging

earthquakes have occurred there, including the M7 1929 Grand Banks and 1663 Charlevoix

earthquakes. In this study using Lg waveforms recorded on broadband stations, the frequency-

dependent attenuation is determined for the easternmost part of Canada using the approach of

Benz et al. (1997). Data from about 60 earthquakes recorded on the Canadian National Seismic

Network (CNSN), occurring within the crust (<30 km depth) and with the minimum magnitude

of 3.0 mblg, have been collected for use in determining the frequency-dependent Lg quality

factor for this part of Canada. Additional earthquake recordings are also available from the Next

Generation Attenuation East database. A Singular Value Decomposition inversion technique will

be used to solve the source and receiver term along with Q for the region at specific frequencies.

The frequency-dependent quality factor is modeled in the form of Q(f)=Qof^η. The primarily

results for Q values were calculated using two mblg 4 events for one-octave frequency bands

centered on the frequencies 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11.2 Hz . By assuming a constant geometrical

spreading of 0.5, a primarily value of Qo = 680, was calculated for frequency-dependent Lg Q

function of in the frequency band 1.0 to 11.2 Hz for much of eastern Canada. In a separate study,

Cramer and Boyd (2013) estimated Qo = 549 ± 110, η = 0.51 ± 0.07 for easternmost Canada

using a single M4.0 Grand Banks earthquake. Earlier work by Shin and Herrmann (1987) for the

Appalachian Province indicated a Qo = 500–550, η = 0.65. Recent work by Atkinson and Boore

(2013) suggests an ENA average Q(f) of Qo = 525, η = 0.45 for use in ground motion prediction

equations. The additional events in our study will provide increased resolution and regional

variations.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Mousavi, Seyed Mostafa


42

2-D MODELLING OF SITE EFFECT TO INCLINED INCIDENT P WAVE

NAIMI, MOHAMMED, SNC-LAVALIN Inc., Montréal, Québec, H2Z 1Z3, Canada,

[email protected]; CHOUINARD, LUC, Civil Engineering Department,

McGill University, Montreal, Québec, H3A 2K6, Canada, luc. [email protected]

Abstract:

In this paper, the dynamic response of a site subjected to incident inclined P wave is obtained

through a numerical solution. The rock medium that is confining the soil layers is assumed to

extend at infinity. The numerical solution is obtained via the application of the Finite Element

Method (FEM) for plane strain condition. Although FEM can capture the dynamic response of

finite systems, it fails to represent infinite domain. As such, the current model truncates the

infinite domain into a near field and a far field, where the boundary represents the far field

efficiently. In order to evaluate site effects, a parametric variation of the physical properties of

the different soil layers is included in the study. The P wave input motion is represented by a

harmonic acceleration that is applied at the model interface separating the near field and the far

field. The time history response is measured at different points of the soil mass and at the free

surface. The dynamic response is dependent on the geometry of the weak soil system as well as

the physical properties of the media. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effect of

varying the properties of the soil layers on the dynamic response of the soil layers and to

evaluate site effects for inclined seismic P wave.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Naimi, Mohammed


43

RELATIVE LOCATIONS OF EARTHQUAKES AND POTENTIAL DRIVING

MECHANISMS OF SEISMICITY ALONG THE NORTHEAST U.S. ATLANTIC

PASSIVE MARGIN

NAPOLI, Vanessa J., Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston College,

Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467, USA, [email protected]; EBEL, John E., Weston Observatory,

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston College, Weston, MA 02493, USA,

[email protected]

Abstract:

Understanding the possibility of a large magnitude, tsunamigenic earthquake along the

continental shelf break of a passive margin is important as events similar to the 1929 M7.2

Grand Banks earthquake can unexpectedly devastate coastline towns. The tsunamigenic Grand

Banks event raises the question, what is the potential for such an event to occur along other parts

of the northeast Atlantic margin? Moderate seismicity has been observed near the continental

shelf break east of the Gulf of Maine (~1000km southwest of the Grand Banks event). From

2008-2013 there were 16 earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 2.0-3.9 along the Gulf of

Maine continental shelf break, with 10 of the earthquakes occurring on 12 April 2012. This

research focuses on identifying the spatial and temporal migration patterns of these earthquakes

calculated using a double-difference relative location analysis. In this procedure two waveforms

are cross-correlated to determine the difference of arrival times of the P-waves and of the S-

waves. The program then calculates the location of one event relative to another based on these

differences in arrival times. The data show that generally as the earthquakes occurred further

northwest they also happened deeper in the crust. Plotting relative longitude versus relative

latitude versus relative depth shows that the earthquakes map out a planar surface. If the events

occurred on a single fault, then the preliminary interpretation of that fault is the strike is in the

range from N71°W to N83°W, the dip is in the range from 23°-27.5° and the faults total extent is

~2.4km by ~2.7km. If this entire area ruptured in one earthquake, the event would be about a

magnitude 5.0. The seismic hazard in the Gulf of Maine region will be better constrained with

continued research on focal mechanisms of the 2012 events and by comparing the results of the

locations and magnitudes of the 2012 events to those of the 1929 tsunamigenic Grand Banks

event.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Napoli, Vanessa


44

SEISMIC RISK ASSESSMENT WITH HAZUS CANADA: THE CURRENT STATUS

NASTEV, Miroslav, Natural Resources Canada - Geological Survey of Canada, Québec, Québec,

G1K 9A9, Canada, [email protected]

Abstract:

Canadian municipalities and other levels of government face a pressing need to perform multi-

hazard risk assessment in order to meet regulatory requirements and inform planning and

mitigation decisions. To meet these requirements, Natural Resources Canada has adopted the US

FEMA’s Hazus methodology as a best practice method for the assessment of physical

vulnerability, socioeconomic security and public safety from natural hazards. In 2011, an

agreement has been signed with FEMA to jointly adapt and co-develop the Hazus methodology.

At the same time, collaboration has been initiated within the federal government between the

departments of Natural Resources, Environment, Defence and Public Safety to promote

widespread usage of Hazus among the full range of Canadian decision makers. The adaptation of

Hazus for use in Canada is ongoing. The Earthquake model is fully operational and the

adaptation of the Hazus Flood model is in the final stage. The out of the box inventory option

contains information on residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The first seismic risk

assessment studies in Canada were conducted for downtown Ottawa and the Municipality of

Squamish (BC). Currently, there are 15 ongoing or completed Hazus seismic risk assessment

studies. As well, more than 50 copies of Hazus Canada have been distributed to users with

academia, private companies and the government. At the same time, the Canadian Hazus Users

Group - CanHUG conference calls and the http://hazuscanada.ca web-portal represent powerful

promotion tools that support a network of more than 100 stakeholders engaged in risk assessment

and decision making.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Nastev, Miroslav


45

RAPID EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS IN

QUEBEC CITY

NOLLET, Marie-José, ABO EL EZZ, Ahmad, FRANCOIS, Jonathan, Department of

Construction Engineering, Ecole de technologie supérieure, University of Quebec, Montreal, Qc,

Canada. NASTEV, Miroslav, Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Quebec

City, Qc, Canada

Abstract:

A rapid earthquake damage assessment tool was developed at Ecole de technologie supérieure, in

Montreal in collaboration with Geological Survey Canada in the scope of a broader quantitative

risk assessment study. The proposed risk assessment procedure considers region- specific

inventory of the existing building stock, definition of the seismic hazard using ground motion

prediction equations, and evaluation of the respective vulnerabilities. The nonlinear behaviour of

the inventoried buildings is represented with idealized capacity curves. The structural demand is

estimated in terms of structure-independent intensity measures, i.e., spectral accelerations

Sa(0.3s) or Sa(1.0s), determined for a series of earthquake magnitude-distance-site conditions

combinations. Displacement fragility curves are used to represent the probability of exceedance

of specified damage state under various levels of structural response. The standard structural and

vulnerability parameters implicit in the US FEMA’s Hazus loss estimation methodology are

applied. A modified capacity spectrum method is used for rapid evaluation of the expected

damage as opposed to the usual iterative procedure for the displacement response implemented

in Hazus. The results consist of sets of tables with fragility information (probability of damage

state – intensity measure) for various combinations of structural types, heights and code levels.

These tables can be used by simple interpolation procedure to generate physical damage and

casualty estimates for various earthquake scenarios. The rapid damage assessment tool was

validated through a damage assessment of 1220 existing buildings in the Old Quebec City for a

scenario event of M6.2 and distance 15km. The damage results show high level of coincidence

with values obtained applying Hazus for the same input parameters. The rapid tool is now being

used to assess potential damage for extended downtown area of Quebec City including more than

16,000 buildings.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Nollet, Marie-José


46

SENSITIVITY TESTS OF GROUND MOTION INTENSITY AND RELATIVE

ECONOMIC LOSSES TO POSSIBLE SCENARIOS OF THE 1663 CHARLEVOIX AND

1732 MONTREAL EARTHQUAKES

PONTBRIAND, C., [email protected]; Klein, E.C., [email protected];

YANG, W., [email protected]; GALGANA, G., [email protected];

SHABESTARI, K., [email protected]; SHEN-TU, B. M., BShen-Tu@air-

worldwide.com; MAHDYIAR, M., [email protected], AIR Worldwide, Boston,

Massachusetts, 02116

Abstract:

Despite a great interest in the largest historical earthquakes on record for eastern Canada, the

accounts and inferences regarding the source parameters of the 1663 Charlevoix-Kamouraska

and 1732 Montreal earthquakes remain controversial due to sparse, descriptive damage data and

a lack of surface ruptures. In this study, we test the sensitivity of economic losses to uncertainties

in the source parameters, ground motions, and the ground motion prediction equations for a set

of events similar to the historic earthquakes. The 1663 event caused damage at a distance (over

200 km) from the source and the1732 event reportedly caused damage supporting the notion of a

peak Modified Mercalli Intensity of VIII within the city Montreal (Johnston, et al., 1994).

Magnitudes of both events are debatable, with 1663 earthquake cited in the range of M6.7 –

M7.5 and the 1732 event reported at 5.8 M, 5.8 Mn, 5.8 Mw, 5.8 Mb, and 6.3 Mw in literature.

We evaluate the economic impact of hundreds of scenarios similar to the 1663 and 1732

earthquakes by considering the impact of epistemic uncertainty on source parameters (i.e.,

magnitude and hypocenter location) and both the epistemic and aleatory uncertainty on ground

motions. We will present our results as relative potential losses for modern-day Quebec.

We will present the sensitivity of the regional loss distribution to the ground motion prediction

equations as well as the intra-event and inter-event ground motion variability. Various studies

have shown that there is a distinct spatial correlation between ground motions at one site and at

nearby sites (e.g., if ground motion is higher than expected at a particular site, it is more likely

that a nearby site will also have higher-than-expected ground motion). We capture effects of

intra-event variability through stochastic simulations of correlated ground motion for each

earthquake and present the sensitivity of losses to uncertainties in ground motion intensity.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Pontbriand, Claire


47

THE NOVEMBER 1, 1755 MAREMOTO DE LISBOA IDENTIFIED AS OBSERVED IN

BRAZIL USING PORTUGUESE ARCHIVAL RECORDS

RUFFMAN, Alan, Geomarine Associates Ltd., P.O. Box 41, Station M, Halifax, Nova Scotia,

Canada B3J 2L4, [email protected] and VELOSO, Jose Alberto Vivas. SQS 309, Bloco B, apt

401,70362-020 Brasilia, DF-Brasil, [email protected]

Abstract:

The tsunami, or maremoto in Portuguese, caused by the November 1, 1755, Lisbon Earthquake is

known to have been destructive & tragic all along the coast of Portugal, W. Spain & Morocco;

>10,000 persons died. The tsunami was observed on the Atlantic coast of France, and in S.

Ireland and England. The tsunami was reported in the Canary Islands and the Azores; it was also

seen in the early to mid-afternoon of Sat., Nov. 1, 1755 along the shorelines of many of the

islands of the E. Caribbean and as far west as possibly Cuba; these observations give a trans-

Atlantic tsunami velocity of 700 km/hr. There are no known reports along the sparsely inhabited

coast of eastern America including N.S. The tsunami was observed in NE Newfoundland in the

Bonavista area. No deaths are known along the western shores of the Atlantic.

The authors have found three original hand-written Portuguese-language letters produced by

colonial officials in Brazil reporting back to Portugal & one penned by the Bishop of Bahia, each

describing aspects of the tsunami’s arrival along about 2200 km of the Brazilian coast from the

Capitania of Pernambuco in the area of Recife southwest to Rio de Janeiro. The tsunami is

recorded as arriving in daylight hours and destroying the simple beach homes of fishers and

slaves. Two persons were still missing three months after the event in one community.

One of the most challenging aspects of the work has been to read the cursive script of the 1756

letter writers and to understand all the abbreviations, grammar, and spellings used in the style of

the day. These are the first reports of the 1755 tsunami being seen in S. America. One of the

documents was published in Brazil in 1913 but its value to seismologists was not realized at the

time and the document's existence was lost to science for the past 100 yrs. The waves and their

connection to events in Europe were not understood until vessels arrived with news in Dec.,

1755. We think more reports may yet be found.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Ruffman, Alan


48

THE POSSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE A SEISMIC SOURCE ZONE OFF SOUTHWEST

NOVA SCOTIA, OR IN THE GULF OF MAINE

RUFFMAN, Alan, Geomarine Associates Ltd., P.O. Box 41, Station M, Halifax, Nova Scotia,

Canada, B3L 2L4 [email protected]

Abstract:

In 1991 the author put forward the possibility of such a seismic source zone during a workshop

sponsored by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in support of work done on the 1995

seismic hazard maps for eastern Canada. This came directly from a 1988 assessment of the pre-

Confederation (1752 - 1867) historical seismicity of Nova Scotia done under contract to the GSC

by the author and Jeannie Peterson. This study which is available as a GSC 'Open File' ran out of

budget and time and was unable to consider events after about mid-1867.

In 2009 Ken B.S. Burke completed and published a mammoth 755-page report on the "Historical

Earthquakes of New Brunswick (1764, 1811 - 1960)". This is a labour of quite exceptional

devotion, building on, and expanding upon, six contract reports prepared for the GSC from 1985

to 1990. One event of Sunday, January 1, 1883 occupies 19 pages of Burke's compilation and

lends support that an offshore seismic source zone should be considered off southwest Nova

Scotia. This event is estimated by Burke to have been felt over 170,000 sq. km; he gives the

mean UT as 02:22:33 +/- 11:03. He places the epicentre offshore at about 44.0 deg. N, 67.0 deg.

W. which is just to the west of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. His estimate of the median felt area

magnitude is a conservative 4.7.

This paper will illustrate why we should consider the possibility of a seismic source zone off

southwest Nova Scotia and why such a possibility deserves some attention by seismologists on

both sides of the US/Canadian border.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Ruffman, Alan


49

SEISMIC FA AND FV MAPPING USING A PROBABILISTIC APPROACH:

APPLICATION IN MONTREAL

TALUKDER, Mohammad Kamruzzaman, CHOUINARD, Luc and ROSSET, Philippe, McGill

University, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C3

Abstract:

In most national building codes, site classification is based on the Vs30 parameter, the average

shear wave velocity for the first 30 m below the site, and refers to amplification factors (e.g. Fa

and Fv) to be applied to ground motions. Seismic microzonation mapping combines information

from various sources with varying degree of uncertainties. A preliminary map would be based on

surface geology information showing the distribution of soils, while a more detailed and accurate

one would be based on extensive seismic surveys. In order to present the level of accuracy of the

maps, we propose a conditional second moment analysis approach. It facilitates the integration of

data from various sources (geological maps, boreholes and seismic surveys) to estimate average

and standard deviation on Vs30. Then, the updated mean and standard deviation are used to

develop soil classes probability maps. The probabilities for soil site classes are finally used to

calculate the expected value and the standard deviation of the soil amplification factors Fa and

Fv at each site location.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Talukder, Mohammad


50

ANOMALOUS LOCAL STRESS ROTATION IN THE CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE-

A POSSIBLE EXPLANATION

TALWANI, Pradeep University of South Carolina Columbia, SC 29208, USA [email protected]

Abstract:

Mazzotti and Townend (2010) observed a significant difference in the directions of the local

maximum horizontal compressive stress (SHmax) inverted from seismicity data for two clusters

at Charlevoix, 15 km apart. For the NW cluster, the local SHmax was essentially parallel to the

regional direction, ~ N54E, whereas for the SE cluster it was rotated 47 degrees. The results of a

parametric study of the stress field associated with intersecting faults by Gangopadhyay and

Talwani (2007) offers a possible explanation for this observation. For two intersecting faults

subjected to, and optimally oriented relative to, the regional SHmax, the largest stress

accumulation occurs along the shorter fault. Geological and geophysical mapping by Tremblay

et al. (2003) revealed the presence of two sets of fault trends in the Charlevoix area. The longer,

longitudinal faults of the St. Lawrence rift are oriented along N25E, N40E and N70E, whereas

the shorter, less than 10 km long, transverse faults associated with the accommodation zones are

oriented along N290 and N310. Combining these observations with the results of the parametric

study, leads to the suggestion that the earthquakes in the NW cluster are associated with the

longitudinal faults, and the resulting SHmax inferred from the seismicity data is parallel to its

regional direction. The local stress accumulation along the shorter transverse faults is oriented

along them and interacts with the regional SHmax, such that the azimuth of the resulting local

SHmax inferred from seismicity data is rotated 47 degrees clockwise.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Talwani, Pradeep


51

DECISION MAKING BEHAVIOR OF EARTHQUAKE EVACUEES: AN

APPLICATION OF DISCRETE CHOICE MODELS

TAMIMA, Umma, Graduate Student, Department of Civil Engineering McGill University,

Montreal, Canada H3A2K6; e-mail: [email protected]; CHOUINARD, Luc,

Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering McGill University, Montreal, Canada

H3A2K6; e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract:

Destination choice modeling after an earthquake is challenging in moderately seismic zones due

to the shortage of data on evacuation. Destination choice modeling is important for the safety of

evacuees and to determine the demand and capacity of shelters. This study presents a method for

evacuation decision modeling that considers households as the basic unit. The Stated Preference

(SP) method is used for data collection. SP method consists in presenting respondents with

various hypothetical scenarios of shelter choice game in the event of a large earthquake in

Montreal. A questionnaire survey is used to reveal preferences to destination choice decisions.

Household variables include income and ethnicity. The survey was performed through a mixture

of e-mail, door-to-door surveys, as well as interviews conducted in shopping malls, public parks

and student dormitories. Error component and random coefficients models are investigated.

Random parameters describe the heterogeneous responses of respondent while the error

component model captures the correlation among destination choices. The results obtained from

the discrete choice models compared to the decision rules implemented in HAZUS. The results

from the disaggregate method are more comprehensive than the HAZUS method since it

considers the statistical significance of factors that impact on destination choice decisions.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Tamima, Umma


52

A CONSISTENT U.S.-CANADA CROSS-BORDER METHODOLOGY FOR

ESTIMATING SEISMIC HAZARD AND RISK

THENHAUS, Paul C., CAMPBELL, Kenneth W., GUPTA, Nitin, SMITH, David F., KHATER,

Mahmoud M., Model Development Group, EQECAT, Inc., Oakland, CA, 94612, USA,

[email protected]

Abstract:

A long standing issue in cross-border earthquake risk management for large Canadian and U.S.

metropolitan areas is the inconsistent methodologies used to quantify seismic hazard at the

national level for each country. Seismic hazard models for the two countries often differ across

the international border in order to account for different national interests. Informed decisions by

risk managers in regard to widespread property portfolios require a consistent and unbiased view

of the earthquake hazard and risk for areas both north and south of the international border. To

accommodate this, we modified the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) 2003 fourth generation

seismic hazard model of Canada in near-border areas to seamlessly merge with our 2010 U.S.

earthquake model, which is based on more current science and technology. A methodology is

presented for transforming cross-border official Canada and U.S. government national seismic

hazard models into a consistent tool for earthquake risk management. The methodology

seamlessly integrates national seismic hazard models across the Canada-U.S. border to provide

earthquake risk managers with updated and consistent seismic hazard science and technology in

the two countries. Consistent with our U.S. hazard model, our revised Canada seismic hazard

model incorporates: (1) spatially varying seismicity for the major metropolitan areas of

southeastern and southwestern Canada and the U.S., (2) a comprehensive probabilistic model for

the Cascadia subduction zone that includes M=8.0–9.2 interface earthquakes, (3) a consistent set

of ground motion prediction equations across eastern and western North America, and (4) a soil-

based attenuation (SBA) methodology that mitigates uncertainty in the conversion of earthquake

motions from rock to soil on which the majority of exposure is located. NEHRP site conditions

are mapped for all of Canada from existing geological data and NEHRP site factors are used to

account for local site conditions.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Campbell, Kenneth


53

EARTHQUAKE LIGHTS ASSOCIATED WITH RIFT ENVIRONMENTS: EXAMPLES

FROM EASTERN NORTH AMERICA

THÉRIAULT, Robert, Ministère des Ressources naturelles, Québec, Québec, G1H 6R1, Canada,

[email protected]; ST-LAURENT, France, Lasalle, Québec, H8P 3H1, Canada,

[email protected]; FREUND, Friedemann, T., NASA Ames Research Center/San

Jose State University, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA, [email protected]; DERR,

John S., Tijeras, NM, 87059, USA, [email protected]

Abstract:

We investigated the tectonic environments of earthquakes spatially and/or temporally associated

with luminosities, generally known as earthquake lights (EQL). These vary in shape and extent,

the most frequent occurrences being globular luminous masses (in the air, stationary or moving),

flame-like luminosities “coming out” of the ground and bright atmospheric illuminations. Most

EQL are seen before or during a main shock. This suggests that the process responsible for EQL

is related to the build-up of stress in the crust prior to fault rupture and/or to the rapid changes in

stress levels during fault movement.

Our study focused on 65 earthquakes with EQL from Europe and the Americas, of which 12

occurred in Eastern North America. The best documented cases are Saguenay 1988, mb 5.9, and

New Madrid 1811, Mw 8.1, with a large number of distinct EQL observations. EQL were also

reported with the M 7.5 Charlevoix earthquake of 1663. Although EQL have generally been

observed within 50 km of the epicentral area, several have been seen much further away.

Generally, EQL observed over 150 km away were co-seismic, suggesting that their origin is

related to the passing of the seismic waves.

Our work indicates that 86% of the earthquakes and/or their associated luminosities occurred

near rifts, 11% near strike-slip faults, and only 3% near shallow-dipping thrust faults. Hence,

although less than 5% of the world’s earthquakes occur in intraplate tectonic settings, they are

the ones with most EQL.

Our proposed mechanism for the origin of EQL is based on the stress-activation of highly mobile

electronic charge carriers (“positive holes”), their flow within the crust, and their role in the

generation - under high stress rates - of solid state plasmas that can discharge across the ground-

to-air interface. Deeply penetrating subvertical faults, related to rifts or paleorifts, or to strike-slip

tectonics, seem to favor conditions that lead to pre- or co-seismic luminosities.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Thériault, Robert


54

INDUCED SEISMICITY DUE TO FLUID INJECTION AT A DEEP WELL IN

YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

Won-Young Kim, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, NY

10964.

Abstract:

Over 109 small earthquakes (Mw 0.4–3.9) were detected during January 2011– February 2012 in

the Youngstown, Ohio area, where there were no known earthquakes in the past. These shocks

were apparently close to a deep fluid injection well, and hence, were immediately suspected as

induced by the fluid injection. This 14-months seismicity included a half-dozen felt earthquakes

and culminated with a MW 3.9 shock on 31 December 2011, about 24 hours after the fluid

injection ceased in the deep well in Youngstown. Among the 109 shocks, 12 evens greater than

MW 1.8 were detected by regional network, whereas 97 small earthquakes (0.4 < MW < 1.8)

were only detected by using the waveform correlation detector. Accurately located earthquakes

were along subsurface en echelon fault striking ENE–WSW and dipping steeply to the north –

consistent with the focal mechanism of Mw 3.9 mainshock and occurred at depths 3.5 – 4.0 km

in the Precambrian basement. We conclude that the recent earthquakes in Youngstown, Ohio

were induced by the fluid injection at a deep injection well due to increased pore pressure along

the preexisting subsurface faults located close to the wellbore. We found that the earthquakes are

located along a 1.2 km-long, ENE–WSW trending subsurface en echelon fault, and the

seismicity initiated at the eastern end of the subsurface fault – close to the injection point, and

migrated toward the west – away from the wellbore, indicating that the expanding high fluid

pressure front increased the pore pressure along its path and progressively triggered the

earthquakes. We observed that several periods of quiescence of seismicity follow minima in

surface injection volumes and pressure, which may indicate that the earthquakes were directly

caused by the pressure buildup in the fractured Precambrian basement and stopped when

pressure dropped.

Presentation Type:

Oral

Presenting Author:

Kim, Won-Young


55

POSTERS


56

INITIAL ENA EMPIRICAL GMPES USING THE NGA-EAST DATABASE

Al Noman, Md Nayeem., Cramer, Chris H., Center for Earthquake Research and Information,

University of Memphis, Memphis,TN, 38111

Abstract:

We develop an initial set of empirical ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) for eastern

North America (ENA) using the new Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) East ground motion

database. This study provides predictive relationships for a particular measure of horizontal

ground motion as a function of earthquake magnitude and fault type, distance from source to site,

and local soil condition. We use the two-stage regression approach of Joyner and Boore (1993)

and thus develop both within and between event sigma estimates. We also estimate single station

sigma from stations with 30 or more recordings and obtain estimates for ENA of 0.3 as

compared with total sigma estimates of 0.4–0.5 (σlog10). The resulting equations are for peak

ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV), and 5% damped pseudo- absolute-

acceleration spectra (PSA) at periods between 0.02 sec and 2 sec. In our analysis we avoided

records from the higher attenuating Gulf Coast region and used a total of 6544 records of PGA

with a distance range from less than 10 km up to 3500 km. The available data for regression

become less for longer periods. The developed empirical GMPEs, though not well constrained

from large magnitude observations, fit the ground motions from small to moderate magnitude

(M<6) earthquakes in ENA quite well based on residual analysis. The initial ENA empirical

GMPEs will be improved in the near future by adding ground motion estimates from intensity

observations for historical M6-7 earthquakes (see Cramer, 2013, this meeting).

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Al Noman, Md Nayeem


57

SPATIAL VARIATION OF CODA WAVE ATTENUATION USING AFTERSHOCKS

OF THE AL-HOCEIMA EARTHQUAKE OF 24 FEBRUARY, 2004, MOROCCO

BOULANOUAR A.(1)

; EL MOUDNIB L. (1),(2)

; Mimoun HARNAFI M.(2)

; CHERKAOUI

T.E.(2)

; RAHMOUNI A.(1)

; BOUKALOUCH M.(1)

; and SEBBANI J. (1)

, (1)

Faculty of Science,

Mohamed V-Agdal University, Rabat, 10106, Morocco; (2)

Scientific Institute, Mohamed V-

Agdal University, Rabat, 10106, Morocco

Abstract:

On 24th February 2004 a significant earthquake (Md = 6.4) occurred in the north of Morocco

causing great damage in the vicinity of Al Hoceima region. This area is characterized by a

complex faulting system as a result of compressional tectonic forces. Three short period seismic

stations are set in this area of interest and recordings from these stations were used in this study.

In order to complete our knowledge of attenuation, 60 local earthquakes are recorded a few days

after the great earthquake with magnitude Ml 2.6-5.0 to estimate seismic attenuation. For this

purpose, we applied the single backscattering model of Aki & Chouet 1975 in the frequency

range for 1 to 8 Hz. The study of coda waves was limited to a relatively short lapse time (20

seconds) in order to sample the earth’s crust only. The values of Qc estimated for all the three

stations show a strong frequency dependent relationship of the form Qc=Q0fn, where Q0 is Qc at

1Hz , and n represents the degree of frequency dependence, and reflect the level of crustal

heterogeneities to varying degrees. The average frequency dependent attenuation relationship has

been obtained which indicates that the attenuation is high in this region. Finally to conclude our

work, the values of Q0 suggest that Al Hoceima area is highly heterogeneous and the n

parameter indicates a meaning frequency dependence of Qc.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

EL MOUDNIB, Lahcen


58

DRAFT UPDATES OF THE 2014 USGS NATIONAL SEISMIC HAZARD MAP FOR

THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN UNITED STATES

BOYD, Oliver, PETERSEN, Mark, MOSCHETTI, Morgan, MUELLER, Charles, REZAEIAN,

Sanaz, HALLER, Kathy, WHEELER, Russell, HARMSEN, Stephen, and WILLIAMS, Robert,

USGS, Golden, CO, 80401

Abstract:

The USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps are in the process of being updated; a new version of

the maps is scheduled to be released in the first quarter of calendar year 2014. As part of the

update process, the USGS is considering many changes to the central and eastern United States

(CEUS) source and ground-motion models. These possible changes include: a new moment

magnitude catalog; use of adaptive smoothing techniques; revised maximum magnitudes;

repeating large magnitude earthquake (RLME) sources from the Central and Eastern United

States Seismic Source Characterization Project (CEUS-SSC); and new ground-motion models.

As with prior versions of the maps, the 2014 release will be based on probabilistic seismic

hazard analysis (PSHA). PSHA at a specific site in the CEUS accounts for all known earthquake

sources within 1000 km and their range of potential ground motions for given epicentral

distances. The result is a hazard curve, which depicts the annual rate of exceeding a given

amount of ground motion. These hazard curves are essential to the International Building Code,

where structural vulnerability can be convolved with the hazard curve to define a risk of collapse

that is uniform across the Nation.

Preliminary results using these modified inputs and methods show large changes in seismic

hazard in some areas. For the higher hazard areas, peak ground accelerations with a 2-percent

probability of being exceeded in 50 years may increase or decrease on the order of 30 percent

relative to the 2008 maps. The New Madrid and Charleston source zones are still major

contributors to hazard, while the CEUS-SSC RLME source zones and new earthquake catalog

and ground motion prediction equations alter prior patterns. The new earthquake catalog tends to

increase hazard from Oklahoma, through the New Madrid region, the eastern Tennessee seismic

zone, and into Charleston, SC, whereas the new ground motion models and weighting schemes

generally decrease hazard in most areas.

Presentation Type:

No Preference

Presenting Author:

Boyd, Oliver


59

THE COMPLETION AND LEGACY OF THE TRANSPORTABLE ARRAY IN THE

CONTERMINOUS USA AND PORTIONS OF CANADA

BUSBY, Robert, WOODWARD, Robert, IRIS Consortium, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Suite

400, Washington, DC

Abstract:

Since 2003, the National Science Foundation-sponsored EarthScope program has been installing

a network of seismometers, known as the Transportable Array (TA), across the conterminous

United States and southern Canada. These station deployments will be completed on the east

coast of the conterminous US in the fall of 2013, and the array will continue to operate until

2015. With a station spacing of 70 km, nearly 2000 station locations will have been occupied

(including 60 stations in southeastern Ontario and Quebec).

In addition to the scientific research resulting from the TA, this project will leave behind a

legacy of continually operating stations. Approximately 60 stations that were originally installed

as part of the TA will continue operating under the TA Station Adoption Program. In addition, a

group of several federal agencies (National Science Foundation, United States Geological Survey,

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the Department of Energy) recognized an

opportunity to increase the distribution of permanent seismic monitoring stations by retaining

some of the existing TA stations. A proposed sub-array of approximately 160 to 200 seismic

stations is being referred to as the Central and Eastern United States Network (CEUSN). The

need for such enhanced seismic observing capability was illustrated by the 2011, Mineral,

Virginia earthquake, which highlighted the relative lack of knowledge of seismicity in the

eastern and more heavily populated portions of the US. The CEUSN project has been

recommended for funding beginning in FY13.

The EarthScope Transportable Array will begin deploying instruments in an 85 km grid in

Alaska and portions of Canada in 2014. Exploratory work on seismic station designs, sensor

emplacement techniques in permafrost, and communication methods in high latitude cold harsh

environments is already underway and six stations have been built in Alaska and Western

Canada at this time.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Hafner, Katrin


60

THE NOVEMBER 10, 2012 M4.2 PERRY COUNTY, KENTUCKY EARTHQUAKE:

EVIDENCE FOR EXTENDING THE EASTERN TENNESSEE SEISMIC ZONE INTO

EASTERN KENTUCKY ALONG AN ACTIVE NEW YORK-ALABAMA MAGNETIC

LINEAMENT?

CARPENTER, N. Seth, Kentucky Geological Survey, 504 Rose St., 228 Mining and Mineral

Resources Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, [email protected];

WOOLERY, Ed, Earth and Environmental Sciences, 101 Slone Building, University of

Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, [email protected]; WANG, Zhenming, Kentucky Geological

Survey, 504 Rose St., 228 Mining and Mineral Resources Building, University of Kentucky,

Lexington, KY 40506, [email protected]

Abstract:

The November 10, 2012 M4.2 earthquake, located in Perry County, Kentucky, was the fourth

largest instrumentally recorded event in the state. Felt accounts were reported more than 1000

km from the source and minor damage occurred near the epicenter, including cracks in the

basement walls of the Letcher County Courthouse, Whitesburg, Ky., 21 km away. Fourteen

aftershocks were detected using a combination of continuous network triggering and waveform

cross-correlation within 4 days of the main shock, three of which generated felt reports.

The Perry County earthquake is along-strike of the New York-Alabama magnetic lineament

(NY-AL), a subsurface, crustal-scale structure that lacks surface expression. There is a

recognized spatial correlation between the active Eastern Tennessee Seismic Zone (ETSZ) and

the NY-AL from northern Alabama into eastern Tennessee, though the nature of their

relationship is uncertain. It has been proposed that the NY-AL has released strain via right-

lateral slip, displacing magnetic anomalies associated with Grenville orogenesis. Presently, most

ETSZ seismicity occurs within what would be a restraining bend in the NY-AL if it were active

and more than 90% occurs within 35 km of the NY-AL, including all but one earthquake of

magnitude 4.0 and greater. The ~220° striking plane of the focal mechanism determined for the

Perry County earthquake is consistent with continued displacement along the NY-AL in terms of

trend and sense-of-slip. Furthermore, its location is within the ostensible transpressive regime of

an active NY-AL. The observations from the Perry County earthquake and ETSZ seismicity

farther south, suggest that the NY-AL has a potential causal relationship with contemporary

ETSZ seismicity and the ETSZ may extend farther north into Kentucky than previously

recognized.

Presentation Type:

No Preference

Presenting Author:

Carpenter, Seth


61

MORE PALEOSEISMIC EVIDENCE FROM THE EAST TENNESSEE SEISMIC ZONE

COX, Randel Tom, Earth Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152, USA,

[email protected], COUNTS, Ron C., US Geological Survey, Newburgh, Indiana 47710,

USA, holocene@hotmail. com, ARMSTRONG, Taylor, Earth Sciences, University of Memphis,

Memphis, Tennessee 38152, USA, [email protected], HATCHER, Robert D., Earth and

Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410, USA,

[email protected], VAUGHN, James D., 325 East Vine St., Dexter, Missouri 63841, USA,

[email protected],WARRELL, Kathleen F., Earth and Planetary Sciences,

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-1410, USA, [email protected],FORMAN, Steven L., Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois,

Chicago, Illinois 60607-7059, USA, [email protected].

Abstract:

The East Tennessee seismic zone is one of the most seismically active areas of intraplate North

America. A lake shore site near Dandridge, TN, exposes Paleozoic shale broken by linear, NE-

striking fissures containing late Pleistocene alluvium from a terrace above the shale (optically

stimulated luminescence ages of 15.9+1.7 ka and 21.8+1.4 ka). Average fissure width = 30 cm

(max 60 cm), tapering to 0 cm <5 m below the terrace. Secondary fissures ~5 cm wide exploit

Paleozoic joints. Hillside aspect turns 90o from E/NE to N/NE at this site, but the fissures do not

deviate from a linear NE trend, suggesting they pre-date river incision below the terrace level.

Fissures do not extend above a 25 cm-thick basal cobble layer in the alluvium, but above the

fissure, the alluvium contains E/NE-striking systematic joints (parallel to modern SHmax) and

the basal meter of the alluvium appears gently folded into a NE-striking anticline.

A walking survey of the lake shore showed that the fissures are narrowly restricted to a 25 m-

wide zone collinear with previously reported NE-striking alluvium-filled fissuring that is

displaced by a parallel late Quaternary SE-dipping thrust fault exposed 1.25 km to the NE across

the French Broad River valley. Thus, a narrow corridor of fissuring at least 1.25 km-long is

associated with contractional faulting and probably strong late Quaternary seismicity. We

suggest that the fissures developed parallel to the crest of a thrust fault-propagation fold during a

paleo-earthquake, allowing cobbles to fall in from the alluvium. A later earthquake accompanied

thrust propagation through the fissures on the north shore, but not along strike on the south shore.

These earthquakes were coeval with deposition of the terrace alluvium because: 1) fissures and

folding only disturb the basal alluvium; 2) the strike of fissures is not influenced by post-terrace

topography; and 3) the north-shore thrust does not cut the upper alluvium.

Presentation Type:

No Preference

Presenting Author:

mailto:[email protected]


62

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF A SEISMIC ARRAY FOR MONITORING SOFT

SOIL BASIN RESPONSE NEAR KINBURN, ONTARIO.

CRANE, Stephen, HAYEK, Sylvia, MOTAZEDIAN, Dariush, ASUDEH, Isa, Department of

Earth Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6; HUNTER, James, Geological

Survey of Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0E8

Abstract:

In the Ottawa-Montreal area, thick (up to 90+ m) deposits of soft unconsolidated (Leda Clay)

sediments were deposited over bedrock topographic low basins during the residence of a large

post-glacial inland sea called the Champlain Sea approximately 13000 – 9000 years ago. Three

of these basins, with varying size, shape, and internal stratigraphy, have been mapped in some

detail, and have also been instrumented with soil-rock seismograph pairs in the past few years.

By monitoring weak motion local earthquake events from the West Quebec Seismic Zone at

stations in the middle of the basins, and at adjacent bedrock stations, both large broad-band and

mono-frequency resonance effects have been documented. Amplifications of >25+ times have

been identified in some frequency bands.

One of these basins south-east of Kinburn, Ontario has been selected for further array studies.

This oval-shaped NW-SE oriented basin is approximately 7 km in length and approximately 5

km at its widest point. The deepest portion of this basin has 96 m of Holocene sediments with a

shear wave velocity between 70-250 m/s, and 15 m of Pleistocene sediments with a shear wave

velocity of roughly 500 m/s. The basin is surrounded by Precambrian rock NW and Paleozoic

rock SE of the basin, both with shear wave velocities exceeding 2500 m/s.

Currently the basin is instrumented with two temporary stations: JSBS located on a rock outcrop

at the edge of the basin and JSSS located near the deepest soil depths. A small closely spaced

seismic array within the basin has been designed to measure the expected basin effects, including

the conversion of S-waves to surface waves at the basin edge, focusing of near vertically

propagating seismic waves, and basin resonance. The array is designed with identical broadband

seismometers and digitizers for consistent data collection between stations, with the shape and

spacing designed in a manner which is most likely to capture the possible basin effects.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Crane, Stephen


63

SEISMIC SITE RESPONSE OF DISCONTINUOUS PERMAFROST

DADFAR, Behrang, EL NAGGAR, M. Hesham, Department of Civil and Environmental

Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B9; NASTEV, Miroslav, Natural

Resources Canada, 490, Rue de la Couronne, Québec, QC, Canada G1K 9A9

Abstract:

Ground surface motions are significantly influenced by local site conditions, e.g., subsurface

material properties, topography, depth to bedrock and characteristics of the ground shaking. In

geotechnical earthquake engineering, this influence is referred to as site effect. Site effect

modifies the amplitude, frequency content and duration of the bedrock motion in such a way that

bedrock and surface motions are incoherent. In this study, the effect of non-uniformity of

saturated deposits caused by the presence of discontinuous permafrost is investigated using the

FLAC software. Peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity and spectral acceleration of the

site response are studied as the most significant parameters.

Presentation Type:

No Preference

Presenting Author:

Dadfar, Behrang


64

AFTERSHOCKS RELOCATION IN 2D AND 3D OF AL HOCEIMA EARTHQUAKE

FEBRUARY 24, 2004, USING THE THREE COMPONENT OF SEISMOMETER

EL MOUDNIB L.(1),(2)

, (1)

Faculty of Science, Mohamed V-Agdal University, Rabat, 10106,

Morocco & (2)

Scientific Institute, Mohamed V-Agdal University, Rabat, 10106, Morocco,

[email protected] ; CHERKAOUI T.E. (2)

, HARNAFI M. (2)

, (2)

Scientific Institute,

Mohamed V-Agdal University, Rabat, 10106, Morocco, [email protected],

[email protected]; HIMMI M.M. (1)

, (1)

Faculty of Science, Mohamed V-Agdal University,

Rabat, 10106, Morocco, [email protected].

Abstract:

The Al Hoceima earthquake of 26 February, 2004 caused major losses of life and property,

particularly in the Aït Qamra locality and in the Imezouren city. The epicenter was located in Aït

Qamra (coordinates), west of Al Hoceima. A week later, the earth continues to shake, we

decided to implement three digital seismic stations in the region Al Hoceima (see map). These

stations are equipped with seismometers three components, short period, calibrated in the same

way and with the same damping coefficient, set at 0.7. We recorded seismic activity during four

days, using the technique of seismic event detection, only earthquakes whose signal to noise ratio

is significant are recorded. The use of only 3 seismological stations leads us to the optimal

exploitation of wholes recorded signals, thus we decided to adopt the geometric method to

calculate the velocity vector that indicates the direction of movement of ground during an

earthquake. In this method the location of sources / earthquakes is obtained with only one station,

three component, by performing an accurate reading of the arrival times of P and S waves and

the maximum amplitude of the first movement (P wave) noting the polarity of each component.

The velocity vector whose direction indicates the origin of the seismic wave is obtained by

calculating the resultant of the three components. We obtained results consistent with those

obtained by the conventional method using the program hypocenter. The distribution of

aftershocks is concentrated around the main earthquake and along the fault already identified in

other studies which justifies the validity of our method.

Key Words: local earthquake, geometric technique, body-waves arrival time, P wave amplitude.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

EL MOUDNIB, Lahcen


65

SOME STATISTICAL FEATURES OF AFTERSHOCK TEMPORAL BEHAVIOR IN

THE ST. LAWRENCE VALLEY

FEREIDONI Azadeh, ATKINSON Gail, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western

Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5B7, Canada. [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract:

It is widely discussed that in continental intraplate regions, such as eastern Canada, aftershock

sequences may persist for hundreds of years following a strong mainshock. Therefore,

understanding the behavior of aftershock sequences is important to obtain a reliable evaluation of

seismic hazard. In this study, we statistically characterize the behavior of aftershocks in the St.

Lawrence Valley, the most seismically active region in eastern Canada. The observed

aftershocks of moderate recent earthquakes in the region are used to calibrate the parameters of

the Reasenberg and Jones aftershock decay model. The average values found for the region fall

in the range of the corresponding values of the parameters for earthquakes in California; however,

the aftershock sequences in eastern Canada are less energetic on average, and one event (the

1982 Miramichi earthquake) had a longer-than-average aftershock sequence. We use generic

aftershock models for the region, considering the range of parameters obtained from the

moderate events, to compute the expected activity rates in the areas of some known strong

earthquakes from the past few hundred years, in order to gain insight into how much of the

contemporary activity might be considered part of a prolonged aftershock sequence.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Fereidoni, Azadeh


66

FAULT LOCKING AND STRAIN PARTITIONING ALONG THE CANADIAN

(CASCADIA) SUBDUCTION ZONE AND THE QUEEN CHARLOTTE-

FAIRWEATHER FAULT SYSTEM

GALGANA, G. A., AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA, [email protected]; KLEIN, E. C.,

AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA, [email protected]; SHEN-TU, B. M., AIR Worldwide,

Boston, MA, [email protected]; McCAFFREY, R., Portland State University,

Portland, OR, [email protected]; MAHDYIAR, M., AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA,

[email protected]; PONTBRIAND, C., AIR Worldwide, Boston, MA;

[email protected]

Abstract:

Although deformation patterns of the crust in the western US are well-understood, those of the

plate boundary within western Canada remain an enigma, due in part to sparse data coverage and

shortage of comprehensive tectonic models. In this research, we characterize deformation within

the rapidly deforming Canadian coastal region (a region dominated by pervasive tectonic faulting

and high seismicity) and its prominent faults by determining the state of fault locking, block

rotations, and concentrations of crustal strain. We use geodetic observations combined with

geologic slip rates and slip vectors from earthquake focal mechanisms as input to our kinematic

models. We use a unique approach that combines the facets of block and continuum models in

modeling deformation along the entire western Canada region. Our resulting best-fit model

predicts oblique convergence along the southern Cascadia area and near-orthogonal subduction

in the Puget Sound-Vancouver Island area, where high elastic strain is produced by a

convergence rate of ~50 mm/a. Farther north, we predict high coupling and strain accumulation

rates along the Queen Charlotte and Fairweather Faults, with peak rates close to 50 mm/a, with

predominantly strike-slip orientation. The predicted coupling for the northern section (i.e., 46° to

48° N latitude) of Cascadia is high (as much as 100%), to ~12 km depth, with partial coupling (i.

e., ~5%-50%) extending from 20 to 40 km depths. The slip deficit accumulation in the southern

part of Cascadia is significantly lower than it is offshore Vancouver Island. We find patterns of

high strain rates (> 10 x10-9 /a) within the Vancouver Island region, Haida Gwaii, and the

southeast Alaska region. The Haida Gwaii region in particular appears to be deforming rapidly,

with relatively high strain rates compared to areas in the south and east, where the strain rates

dramatically drop off to less than 2-4 x10-9 a.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Pontbriand, Claire


67

EFFECT OF AGING ON BACK ANALYSIS OF A CHARLESTON-AREA

PREHISTORIC EARTHQUAKE MAGNITUDE

GHEIBI, Emad., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South

Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA, [email protected]; GASSMAN, Sarah L., Department

of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208,

USA, [email protected]; HASEK, Michael., Department of Civil and Environmental

Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA, [email protected];

TALWANI, Pradeep., Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of South Carolina,

Columbia, SC, 29208, USA, [email protected];

Abstract:

Many researchers have shown that aging leads to an increase in liquefaction resistance through

mechanical and chemical mechanisms. To study the effect of aging and disturbance on back

analysis of prehistoric earthquake magnitudes and accelerations required to initiate liquefaction,

in situ geotechnical data obtained in the vicinity of a recently discovered sand blow at Fort

Dorchester, South Carolina were used with paleoliquefaction evaluation methods that account for

soil age and disturbance. The sand blow predates the 1886 Charleston earthquake and was

estimated to be 3000-5000 years old. Geotechnical field investigations conducted at the site

include seven cone penetrometer tests soundings with pore pressure measurements, three

vibracores, and a shallow test pit. These investigations indicate the sand layer from which the

sand blow formed (source sand) is about 2 to 3m thick and is located 1.7 to 2.5m below the

ground surface. The source sand is estimated to be about 200,000 years old. Geotechnical

laboratory tests were performed on samples obtained from vibracores to characterize the index

properties of the liquefiable sand, which is predominantly angular to subangular silty quartz sand,

and to identify the mechanical and chemical mechanisms that contribute to aging at this site (on-

going work). The fines content ranges from 4 to 22 % and the predominant D50 ranges from of

0.18 to 0.26mm. The in situ geotechnical data were used with paleoliquefaction evaluation

methods that account for soil age and disturbance to estimate the magnitude and acceleration of

the prehistoric earthquake. Calculated average values of age- adjusted magnitude, ranges from 4

to 6 and age-adjusted maximum ground acceleration for M=6 Richter, ranges from 0.3 to 1.6g

while using the current soil penetration values leads to 0.51 to 5.36g. Comparing the average

acceleration values shows that higher values of acceleration are required to initiate liquefaction

for aged soils.

Presentation Type:

No Preference

Presenting Author:

Gheibi, Emad


68

INSIGHTS INTO USING H/V AS AN AMPLIFICATION METRIC FROM STUDY OF

EARTHQUAKE RECORDS IN JAPAN

GHOFRANI, Hadi, Department of Earth Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario,

Canada N6A5B7 [email protected], ATKINSON, Gail M., Department of Earth

Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada N6A5B7 [email protected]

Abstract:

The horizontal-to-vertical (H/V) spectral ratio has been widely used to provide a preliminary

estimate of site amplification (Kanai and Tanaka, 1961; Nogoshi and Igarashi, 1971; Nakamura,

1989). H/V ratios on soft soil sites generally exhibit a clear, stable peak that is correlated with

the fundamental resonant frequency (Ohmachi et al., 1991; Field and Jacob 1993, 1995; Lermo

and Chavez-Garcia 1994; Lachet et al., 1996; Bonnefoy-Claudet et al., 2006). However, H/V

typically underestimates the site amplification factor (Field and Jacob, 1995; Bonilla et al., 1997;

Satoh et al., 2001b). Given the finding that H/V works well as an amplification metric (Ghofrani

et al., 2013), we explored using H/V as the predictive variable for site response in Ground-

Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs) instead of VS30. This might be a promising idea for

GMPE development in regions without site data. The main question is that how much worse

would prediction equations be if VS30 were dropped as a predictive variable? We tested this idea

using the rich dataset of strong-motion recordings from the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku earthquake.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Ghofrani, Hadi


69

THE WIT AND WISDOM OF CHARLES FRANCES RICHTER

HOUGH, Susan E., South Pasadena, CA 91030 [email protected]

Abstract:

Having developed the magnitude scale that bears his name, Charles Richter achieved nearly

iconic global recognition. Yet misperceptions abound regarding his legacy, including the extent

to which his colleague Beno Gutenberg deserved recognition for the formulation of the Richter

scale, as well as the breadth and depth of his contributions. I discuss a wide range of Richter’s

contributions, including the original formulation of the magnitude scale, drawing from his own

words, and archival records. I conclude that the 1935 publication presenting the magnitude scale

was appropriately sole-authored, with due acknowledgements given at the time and later. This

publication also included a preliminary discussion of the magnitude-frequency distribution of

earthquakes, results immortalized in 1944 as the Gutenberg-Richter distribution. Regarding the

assessment of hazard at Indian Point, while much has been learned about central/eastern U.S.

earthquakes since 1976, Richter’s testimony on capable faults, as defined formally by the NRC,

rings surprisingly true to the modern ear. By far his most enduring publication, after the 1935

paper describing the magnitude scale, was his 1958 textbook, “Elementary Seismology,” which

has over 3000 citations as tallied by Google scholar, and which remains useful as a reference in

spite of predating many key developments in the field. The collection of papers left to the

Caltech archives includes writings pursued as an avocation, including poetry and drafts of

science fiction novels. He did not find great success as a poet; however, a few of his poems were

published in small anthologies. Among the most poignant words left behind is his account of

accepting the Seismo Lab position with the hope that remaining in Pasadena would give him the

opportunity to pursue his true scientific interests in quantum mechanics. The most famous

seismologist of all time was, in effect, a reluctant seismologist, from the beginning and many

years later.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Hough, Susan


70

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPLORING GLOBAL AND REGIONAL

EARTHQUAKES IN THE CLASSROOM AND BEYOND

KAFKA, Alan L., STARR, Justin, C., MOULIS, Anastasia M., Weston Observatory,

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Boston College, Weston, MA, 02493;

BRAVO, Tammy K., IRIS Consortium, Washington, DC 20005; COLEMAN, Ben, Department

of Mathematics and Computer Science, Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA 18018; TABER, John,

IRIS Consortium, Washington, DC 20005

Abstract:

Seismological observatories operate a variety of types of seismographs, each “tuned in” to some

aspect of watching the Earth quake. At Weston Observatory, we monitor earthquakes recorded

by "research seismographs" of the New England Seismic Network and by "educational

seismographs" of the Boston College Educational Seismology Project (BC-ESP). The BC-ESP

offers opportunities for students of all ages to collaborate with research scientists. Having a

seismograph in a classroom, or other publicly accessible location, gives students of all ages

direct experience with recording earthquakes. Educational seismographs are inexpensive and can

be easily installed and operated in schools, libraries, and any other places that want to have their

own seismograph. But these educational seismographs are limited in terms of the quality of

seismic recording compared to what can be achieved with much more expensive research

seismographs.

A new development is now enabling us to integrate these two aspects of our seismic recording at

Weston Observatory. New software (currently in beta testing) called "jAmaSeis", being

developed by Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology, in collaboration with Moravian

College, makes it possible to bring educational and research seismograph data together in the

same seismogram viewing and analysis environment. With this new software, students can

analyze data from their own classroom seismograph, while simultaneously viewing and

analyzing seismic data recorded at remote earthquake research observatories.

We present examples of how these new developments in software and web-based networking are

opening up new opportunities for students of all ages to explore global and regional earthquakes

in the classroom and beyond. These new tools for integrating educational and research

seismograph data enable students to learn about science by participating with research

seismologists as together we watch the Earth quake.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Kafka, Alan


71

COMPARISON STUDY BETWEEN VAULT SEISMOMETERS AND A NEW

POSTHOLE SEISMOMETER

MOORES, Andrew O., Nanometrics Inc, Kanata, ON, K2K 2A1

Abstract:

Surface vault broadband seismometers have typically yielded good results on the vertical, but

have been unreliable and noisy on the horizontal. There are several reasons for this issue,

including inherent problems with surface tilt noise and thermal stability. A comparison study was

undertaken between the highest performing vault seismometers and a new broadband Posthole

seismometer in a downhole installation, at different depths and in various environments at

stations in North America ranging from remote locations in Alaska to a noisy urban area. In the

remote and urban studies, a spectral analysis was conducted and PSD plots were generated, the

results of which will be provided in detail in the paper. This paper will discuss all of the results

from these installations as well as the various installation techniques at these locations.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Moores, Andrew


72

DOUBLE-DIFFERENCE EARTHQUAKE RELOCATION OF CHARLVOIX

SEISMICITY, EASTERN CANADA, AND IMPLICATION FOR REGIONAL

GEOLOGICAL STRUCTURES

PANG Meng, LIU Yajing, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University,

Montreal,QC, H3A 0E8

Abstract:

In the Charlevoix seismic zone, most earthquakes are distributed within the boundaries defined

by the Iatepan fault system (St-Laurent, South Shore and Charlevoix faults), rather than clustered

on these large faults [Lamontagne et al., 2000]. However, it remains unclear whether clustering

exists on smaller spatial scales, or the “cloudy” catalog hypocentral distribution truly reflects the

highly fractured crust beneath the St. Lawrence River. In this study, we apply the double

difference earthquake location method [Walderhauser and Ellsworth, 2000] to the relocation of

earthquakes in the Charlevoix seismic zone. We use catalog data acquired from the Canadian

National Seismic Network between May 2003 and June 2013, in the region of latitude

47N~48.5N and longitude 69W~70.5W. In total, there are 543 events with magnitudes varying

from 0.1 to 4.4, recorded at the seven stations located on both shores of the St. Lawrence River.

Earthquakes relocated using the catalog arrivals form a narrower zone of seismic activity than

the catalog locations. We find a northeast-striking zone along with fault structures , although the

boundaries are not very clear likely due to the lack of the stations close in to the seismicity. In

the following steps, we plan to involve the waveform data using cross-correlation for more

precise relocation and explore the type of faulting associated with events and also the variation

of geophysical properties, such as the seismic velocity structure. Accurately locating these

Charlevoix earthquakes has great significance for us to analyze their source mechanism and

associated structural geology and tectonic features.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Pang, Meng


73

THE DISTRIBUTION OF EARTHQUAKES IN THE CHARLEVOIX SEISMIC ZONE

BASED UPON A JOINT HYPOCENTER-VELOCITY INVERSION OF LOCAL

ARRIVAL TIMES

POWELL, Christine, KELEMENCKY, Sara, Center for Earthquake Research and Information,

The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, 38152; Lamontagne, Maurice, Earth Sciences Sector,

Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa (Ontario) K1A0E9

Abstract:

We present new hypocenter locations for the Charlevoix Seismic Zone (CSZ) and discuss the

distribution of earthquakes in relation to known faults produced by Iapetan rifting and the

Devonian meteor impact. The CSZ is located along the St. Lawrence River approximately 100

km downstream from Quebec City, Canada. A seven-station seismograph network monitors the

CSZ and more than 200 earthquakes are recorded annually. The new hypocenters are determined

as part of a 3-D velocity inversion using local earthquake arrival times. The dataset covers the

time period December 1988 to August 2011 and includes 1,329 earthquakes providing 8,540 P-

wave and 8,304 S-wave arrival times. Using a homogeneous velocity model, most P and S

residuals are less than 0.05 s. RMS residual reduction following the joint inversion is greater

than 65%. In several locations northeast of the impact structure, hypocenters appear to delineate

planes suggesting the presence of distinct seismogenic faults. These planes trend NE, in the same

direction as the Iapetan rift faults, and dip to the SE. One hypocenter-defined plane is located

beneath the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and extends to a depth of at least 30 km. Two

other planes are located beneath the river and extend to depths of 12 and 15 km. All three planes

are disrupted within the impact structure. A distinct cluster of seismicity appears to outline the

southern rim of the impact zone. We suggest that most Charlevoix earthquakes occurring outside

of the impact structure are located on the Iapetan rift faults rather than in the regions separated

by the faults. A joint statistical analysis of hypocenter alignments and focal mechanism nodal

plane orientations can test this hypothesis.

Presentation Type:

No Preference

Presenting Author:

Powell, Christine


74

EARTHQUAKES IN NORTHERN NEW YORK

REVETTA, Frank A., WHEATON, Danielle, Department of Geology, State University of New

York, Potsdam, NY 13676

Abstract:

The earthquakes in northern New York are part of an extension of the Western Quebec seismic

zone extending from Western Quebec across the St. Lawrence River into northern New York.

The northern New York area is an area of moderate seismology with many small earthquakes

(m<4) caused by thrust faulting along the northwest trending faults. These small earthquakes

have foci located in the Precambrian rocks at depths less than 10 kilometers. Three damaging

earthquakes have occurred during the past 70 years including the 5.9 magnitude Massena

earthquake of 1944, the 5.2 magnitude Goodnow earthquake in 1983 and the most recent 5.3

magnitude Au Sable Forks earthquake in 2002. These earthquakes caused 25,000,000 todays

dollars damage in the area.

Besides the three damaging earthquakes earthquake swarms occurred at Blue Mt Lake in 1972

and 1973 and aftershocks of the Massena earthquake of 1944 continue to occur. In 1986

earthquakes induced by an abandoned mine at Witherbee-Mineville occurred in the eastern

Adirondacks.

Several hypotheses have been suggested to account for the earthquakes. These include the

earthquakes are part of an extension of the Boston-Ottawa seismic zone, glacial rebound,

fractures caused by a hotspot, reactivations of old faults and stress concentrations along mafic

plutons. Many of the epicenters lie in gravity highs thought to be due to mafic plutons. The

earthquakes promote much interest in the seismicity of the region by local residents and provide

a source of research activities for students.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Revetta, Frank


75

AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND HYPOCENTER DETERMINATION OF THE

AUGUST 23, 2011 MINERAL, VIRGINIA, EARTHQUAKE AFTERSHOCK

SEQUENCE

WU, Qimin, CHAPMAN, Martin C., BEALE, Jacob N., Department of Geosciences, Virginia

Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Abstract:

The M 5.8, August 23, 2011 Mineral earthquake is the largest shock known in the Central

Virginia Seismic Zone. Previously, in 1875, a shock of magnitude approximately 4.5-5.0

occurred near the epicenter of the August, 2011 event. More recently, in 2009, a compound M

4.5 earthquake occurred 20 km to the southwest of the 2011 event and was widely felt

throughout the middle Atlantic region. The seismic hazard of central Virginia is not well

understood or appreciated.

The Mineral earthquake was a temporally and spatially complex rupture, comprised of at least 3

subevents. Additional information on the source of the mainshock may be derived from the

aftershock data. We are currently in the process of detecting and locating a maximum number of

these events using the full suite of data archived at the IRIS data management center. The data

include events occurring immediately after the mainshock through January, 2012, when the

seismicity rate was high, and when a temporary deployment of 18 stations involving networks

XY (Virginia Tech), YC (IRIS) and NQ (USGS) was in place. Detection algorithms based on

waveform correlation properties and other statistical criteria are being investigated. We are using

a scheme that combines the short-term average and long-term average ratio (STA/LTA) method

with a cross-correlation method that scans through continuous data with event templates. The

cross-correlation method is used to refine the STA/LTA detections to remove false triggers and

to redetect possible events missed. Both single-event and joint locations of clustered aftershocks

using double-difference methods will be employed. The hypocenter locations will hopefully help

resolve details of the mainshock faulting process, and possibly reveal the locations and

orientations of other seismogenic faults in the seismic zone. This work will assist in development

of a tectonic model for seismicity in the Central Virginia Seismic Zone.

Presentation Type:

Poster

Presenting Author:

Wu, Qimin


76

seismological society of america - 85th annual …...2013/09/26 · 1 85th annual meeting of the...

Documents