Site amplification of ground motion in central and eastern North America

What is it about?

The United States national seismic hazard maps are derived using models to predict the attributes of ground motions. Those models describe how ground motions change with the magnitude of an earthquake, the distance from the fault, and the site condition. This paper presents models used to capture the effects of site condition. The results of this paper form the basis for how this issue is treated in the development of the United States national seismic hazard maps.

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Why is it important?

Seismic hazard maps provide lateral force levels considered in the design of structures. The work presented in this paper affects those force levels, and hence has substantial impact for a large portion of the United States.