Skip to main content
Log in

Analysis of Applicability of Seismic Intensity Estimation Using Fourier Spectrum of Ground Motions for Iranian Earthquakes

Pure and Applied Geophysics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The intensity scales in different forms provide valuable information on regional earthquake effects. In this paper, a theoretical model which has been developed recently for seismic intensity estimation is re-examined by employing strong motion records from ten Iranian earthquakes. The analysis results confirmed the capability of the implemented method to estimate the seismic intensity in terms of the MMI scale based on a Fourier spectrum in the study area. The predicted intensity values were compared with another technique utilizing peak ground velocity (PGV) as a predictor. To reveal the high potential of the adopted approach, the theoretical isoseismal map was developed for the 1978 Tabas, Iran earthquake (Mw = 7.4) based on a stochastic finite-fault modelling of ground motions. Results showed good compatibility of predicted intensity values while the historical earthquake records are not enough for a given site.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atkinson, G. and Silva, W. (2000) Stochastic modelling of California ground motions, Bull Seismol Soc Am 90:255–274.

  • Anderson, J. and Hough, S. (1984) A model for the shape of the Fourier amplitude spectrum of acceleration at high frequencies, Bull Seismol Soc Am 74:1969–1993.

  • Atkinson, G. and Kaka, S. (2007) Relationship between felt intensity and instrumental ground motion in the central United States and California, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 97(2), 497–510.

  • Bakun W. H. and Wentworth C. M. (1997) Estimating Earthquake Location and Magnitude from Seismic Intensity Data, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am.87(6), 1502–1521.

  • Berberian, M. (1979) Earthquake faulting and bedding thrust associated with the Tabas-e- Golshan (Iran) earthquake of September 16, 1978, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am 69:1861–1887.

  • Boore, D. and Joyner W.B., (1997) Site amplifications for generic rock sites, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 87, 327–341.

  • Boore, D. (2003) Prediction of ground motion using the stochastic method, Pure and Applied Geophysics 160:635–676.

  • Brune, J. N. (1970) Tectonic stress and the spectra of seismic shear waves from earthquakes, J. Geophys. Res. 75, 4997–5009.

  • Chernov, Yu. K., and Sokolov, V. Yu., (1999) Correlation of seismic intensity with Fourier acceleration spectra, Phys. Chem. Earth 24 (6), 523–528.

  • Gasperini P., Vannucci G., Tripone D., and Boschi E. (2010) The Location and Sizing of Historical Earthquakes Using the Attenuation of Macroseismic Intensity with Distance. Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 100:2035-2066.

  • Global Crustal Model CRUST2.0, (2001) Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, San Diego. http://mahi.ucsd.edu/Gabi/rem.dir/crust/crust2.html.

  • Gómez Capera A. A., Amico D., Meletti C., Rovida A., and Albarello D. (2010) Seismic Hazard Assessment in Terms of Macroseismic Intensity in Italy: A Critical Analysis from the Comparison of Different Computational Procedures. Bull. Seism. Soc. Am 100:1614–1631.

  • Faenza L. Michelini A. (2011) Regression analysis of MCS intensity and ground motion spectral accelerations (SAs) in Italy. Geophys. J. Int. 186, 1415–1430.

  • Jackson, J., Haines, J., Holt, W., (1995) The accommodation of Arabia-Eurasia plate convergence in Iran. Journal of Geophysical Research 100 (B8), 15205–15219.

  • Nicknam, A., Yazdani, A. and Yaghmaei-Sabegh, S. (2009) Predicting probabilistic-based strong ground motion time series for Citadel of Arg-E-Bam (South-East of Iran), J Earthquake Eng 13:482–499.

  • Shoja-Taheri, J. and Anderson, J. (1988) The 1978 Tabas, Iran, earthquake: an interpretation of the strong motion records, Bull Seismol Soc Am 78(1):142–171.

  • Sokolov, V., (2002) Seismic intensity and Fourier acceleration spectra: revised relationship, Earthquake Spectra 18: 161–187.

  • Sokolov, V. and Wald, D. (2002) Instrumental Intensity Distribution for the Hector Mine, California, and the Chi–Chi, Taiwan, Earthquakes: a Comparison of Two Methods. Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 92(6), 2145–2162.

  • Sokolov V. and Furumura T. (2008) Comparative analysis of two methods for instrumental intensity estimations using the database accumulated during recent large earthquakes in Japan, Earthquake Spectra 24(2): 513–532.

  • Sokolov V., Furumura T., Wenzel F. (2010) On the use of JMA intensity in earthquake early warning Systems, Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering 8(4): 767–786.

  • Trifunac, M. D., (1976) Preliminary empirical model for scaling Fourier amplitude spectra of strong ground acceleration in terms of Modified Mercalli Intensity and recording site conditions, Earthquake Eng. Struct. Dyn. 7, 63–74.

  • Trifunac, M. D., and Lee, V. W., (1989) Empirical models for scaling Fourier amplitude spectra of strong ground acceleration in terms of earthquake magnitude, source to station distance, site intensity and recording site conditions, Int. J. Soil Dyn. Earthquake Eng. 8, 110–125.

  • Tselentis G-A. and Danciu L. (2008) Empirical Relationships between Modified Mercalli Intensity and Engineering Ground-Motion Parameters in Greece, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 98(4); 1863–1875.

  • Yaghmaei-Sabegh S., Lam, N.T.K., (2010) Ground motion modelling in Tehran based on the stochastic method Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering 30, 525–535.

  • Yaghmaei-Sabegh S. Tsang H–H. and Lam N.T.K. (2011) Conversion between peak ground motion parameters and modified mercalli intensity values, Journal of Earthquake Engineering 15; 1138–1155.

  • Yaghmaei-Sabegh S. and Tsang H-.H. (2011) An Updated study on near-fault ground motions of 1978 Tabas, Iran, earthquake (Mw = 7.4), Scientia Iranica 18, Transaction A: Civil Engineering, pp. 895–905.

  • Wald D., Quitoriano, V., Heaton, T. and Kanamori H. (1999) Relationships between peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity and modified mercalli intensity in California, Earthquake Spectra 15(3), 557–564.

  • Walker J., Jackson J., and Baker C. (2003) Surface expression of thrust faulting in eastern Iran: source parameters and surface deformation of the 1978 Tabas and 1968 Ferdows earthquake sequences, Geophys. J. Int. 152, 749–765.

  • Worden C.B, Gerstenberger, M.C., Rhoades, D.A., Wald D. (2012) Probabilistic relationships between ground-motion parameters and Modified Mercalli Intensity in California, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 102(1) 204–221.

  • Wells, D. and Coppersmith, K. (1994) New empirical relationships among magnitude, rupture length, rupture width, rupture area, and surface displacement, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am 84:974–1002.

  • Wurman G., Allen R.M., Lombard P. (2007) Toward earthquake early warning in northern California, Journal of Geophysical Research 112, B08311, 1–19.

  • Wu, Y., Teng, T., Shin, T., and Hsiao, N. (2003) Relationship between Peak Ground Acceleration, Peak Ground Velocity, and Intensity in Taiwan, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am. 93(1), 386–396.

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions by Sasan Yaghmaei-Sabegh in preparing of isoseismal map. The author would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions on earlier drafts of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Saman Yaghmaei-Sabegh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yaghmaei-Sabegh, S. Analysis of Applicability of Seismic Intensity Estimation Using Fourier Spectrum of Ground Motions for Iranian Earthquakes. Pure Appl. Geophys. 170, 597–606 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0535-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00024-012-0535-z

Keywords

Navigation