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Seismic wave attenuation during the 19 September 1985 Michoacan, Mexico earthquake

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Summary

The severity of damage to Mexico City as a result of the 19 September 1985 Michoacan earthquake was unusual given the City's distance (350 km) from the zone of seismic energy release. To explain the damage many authors have suggested that unusual source or transmission path characteristics contributed to enhanced ground motion in Mexico City. The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of results obtained from data recorded during the earthquake related to possible anomalous transmission path characteristics.

It is concluded that in every respect this earthquake conformed to the norms set by previous subduction zone earthquakes within the Middle American trench. It appears likely that conditions within the Valley of Mexico are adequate to explain the unusually severe ground shaking without invoking unusual source or transmission characteristics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining and Geological Engineering, The University of Arizona, 85721, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Charles E. Glass

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  1. Charles E. Glass
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Glass, C.E. Seismic wave attenuation during the 19 September 1985 Michoacan, Mexico earthquake. International Journal of Mining and Geological Engineering 7, 9–15 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01552835

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01552835

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