Peak ground acceleration

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Peak ground acceleration (PGA) is equal to the maximum ground acceleration that occurred during earthquake shaking at a location. PGA is equal to the amplitude of the largest absolute acceleration recorded on an accelerogram[1] at a site during a particular earthquake.[2] Earthquake shaking generally occurs in all three directions. Therefore, PGA is often split into the horizontal and vertical components. Horizontal PGAs are generally larger than those in the vertical direction but this is not always true, especially close to large earthquakes. PGA is an important parameter (also known as an intensity measure) for earthquake engineering, The design basis earthquake ground motion (DBEGM)[3] is often defined in terms of PGA.

Unlike the Richter and moment magnitude scales, it is not a measure of the total energy (magnitude, or size) of an earthquake, but rather of how hard the earth shakes at a given geographic point. The Mercalli intensity scale uses personal reports and observations to measure earthquake intensity but PGA is measured by instruments, such as accelerographs. It can be correlated to macroseismic intensities on the Mercalli scale[4] but these correlations are associated with large uncertainty.[5] See also seismic scale.

The peak horizontal acceleration (PHA) is the most commonly used type of ground acceleration in engineering applications. It is often used within earthquake engineering (including seismic building codes) and it is commonly plotted on seismic hazard maps.[6] In an earthquake, damage to buildings and infrastructure is related more closely to ground motion, of which PGA is a measure, rather than the magnitude of the earthquake itself. For moderate earthquakes, PGA is a reasonably good determinant of damage; in severe earthquakes, damage is more often correlated with peak ground velocity.[4]

Geophysics

Earthquake energy is dispersed in waves from the hypocentre, causing ground movement omnidirectionally but typically modelled horizontally (in two directions) and vertically. PGA records the acceleration (rate of change of speed) of these movements, while peak ground velocity is the greatest speed (rate of movement) reached by the ground, and peak displacement is the distance moved.[7][8] These values vary in different earthquakes, and in differing sites within one earthquake event, depending on a number of factors. These include the length of the fault, magnitude, the depth of the quake, the distance from the epicentre, the duration (length of the shake cycle), and the geology of the ground (subsurface). Shallow-focused earthquakes generate stronger shaking (acceleration) than intermediate and deep quakes, since the energy is released closer to the surface.[9]

Peak ground acceleration can be expressed in g (the acceleration due to Earth's gravity, equivalent to g-force) as either a decimal or percentage; in m/s2 (1 g = 9.81 m/s2);[7] or in Gal, where 1 Gal is equal to 0.01 m/s² (1 g = 981 Gal).

The ground type can significantly influence ground acceleration, so PGA values can display extreme variability over distances of a few kilometers, particularly with moderate to large earthquakes.[10] The varying PGA results from an earthquake can be displayed on a shake map.[11] Due to the complex conditions affecting PGA, earthquakes of similar magnitude can offer disparate results, with many moderate magnitude earthquakes generating significantly larger PGA values than larger magnitude quakes.

During an earthquake, ground acceleration is measured in three directions: vertically (V or UD, for up-down) and two perpendicular horizontal directions (H1 and H2), often north-south (NS) and east-west (EW). The peak acceleration in each of these directions is recorded, with the highest individual value often reported. Alternatively, a combined value for a given station can be noted. The peak horizontal ground acceleration (PHA or PHGA) can be reached by selecting the higher individual recording, taking the mean of the two values, or calculating a vector sum of the two components. A three-component value can also be reached, by taking the vertical component into consideration also.

In seismic engineering, the effective peak acceleration (EPA, the maximum ground acceleration to which a building responds) is often used, which tends to be ⅔ – ¾ the PGA[citation needed].

Seismic risk and engineering

Study of geographic areas combined with an assessment of historical earthquakes allows geologists to determine seismic risk and to create seismic hazard maps, which show the likely PGA values to be experienced in a region during an earthquake, with a probability of exceedance (PE). Seismic engineers and government planning departments use these values to determine the appropriate earthquake loading for buildings in each zone, with key identified structures (such as hospitals, bridges, power plants) needing to survive the maximum considered earthquake (MCE).

Damage to buildings is related to both peak ground velocity and PGA, and the duration of the earthquake – the longer high-level shaking persists, the greater the likelihood of damage.

Comparison of instrumental and felt intensity

Peak ground acceleration provides a measurement of instrumental intensity, that is, ground shaking recorded by seismic instruments. Other intensity scales measure felt intensity, based on eyewitness reports, felt shaking, and observed damage. There is correlation between these scales, but not always absolute agreement since experiences and damage can be affected by many other factors, including the quality of earthquake engineering.

Generally speaking,

  • 0.001 g (0.01 m/s²) – perceptible by people
  • 0.02  g (0.2  m/s²) – people lose their balance
  • 0.50  g – very high; well-designed buildings can survive if the duration is short.[8]

Correlation with the Mercalli scale

The United States Geological Survey developed an Instrumental Intensity scale which maps peak ground acceleration and peak ground velocity on an intensity scale similar to the felt Mercalli scale. These values are used to create shake maps by seismologists around the world.

Instrumental
Intensity		 Acceleration
(g)		 Velocity
(cm/s)		 Perceived Shaking Potential Damage
I < 0.0017 < 0.1 Not felt None
II-III 0.0017 - 0.014 0.1 - 1.1 Weak None
IV 0.014 - 0.039 1.1 - 3.4 Light None
V 0.039 - 0.092 3.4 - 8.1 Moderate Very light
VI 0.092 - 0.18 8.1 - 16 Strong Light
VII 0.18 - 0.34 16 - 31 Very strong Moderate
VIII 0.34 - 0.65 31 - 60 Severe Moderate to heavy
IX 0.65 - 1.24 60 - 116 Violent Heavy
X+ > 1.24 > 116 Extreme Very heavy

Other intensity scales

In the 7-class Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale, the highest intensity, Shindo 7, covers accelerations greater than 4 m/s² (0.41 g).

PGA hazard risks worldwide

In India, areas with expected PGA values higher than 0.36g are classed as "Zone 5", or "Very High Damage Risk Zone".

Notable earthquakes

PGA
single direction
(max recorded)		 PGA
vector sum (H1, H2, V)
(max recorded)		 Mag Depth Fatalities Earthquake
2.7g[12] 2.99 g[13][14] 9.0 30 km[15] >15000[16] 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2.2g[17][18] 6.3[19] 5 km 185 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake
2.13g[20][21] 6.4 6 km 1 June 2011 Christchurch earthquake
4.36g[22] 6.9/7.2 8 km 12 2008 Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku earthquake
1.7g[23] 6.7 19 km 57 1994 Los Angeles earthquake
1.47g[24] 7.1 42 km[15] 4 April 2011 Miyagi earthquake
1.26g[25][26] 7.1 10 km 0 2010 Canterbury earthquake
1.01g[27] 6.6 10 km 11 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake
1.01g[28] 7.3 8 km 2,415 1999 Jiji earthquake
1.0g[29] 6.0 8 km 0 December 2011 Christchurch earthquake
0.8g 6.8 16 km 6,434 1995 Kobe earthquake
0.78g[30] 8.8 23 km[31] 521 2010 Chile earthquake
0.6g[32] 6.0 10 km 143 1999 Athens earthquake
0.51g[33] 6.4 612 2005 Zarand earthquake
0.5g[23] 7.0 13 km 92,000-316,000 2010 Haiti earthquake
0.438g[34] 7.7 44 km 27 1978 Miyagi earthquake (Sendai)
0.367g[35] 5.2 1 km 9 2011 Lorca earthquake
0.25 - 0.3g[36] 9.5 33 km 1,655[37] 1960 Valdivia earthquake
0.24g[38] 6.4 628 2004 Morocco earthquake
0.18g[39] 9.2 23 km 143 1964 Alaska earthquake

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Nuclear Power Plants and Earthquakes, accessed 2011-04-08
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ http://www.kyoshin.bosai.go.jp/kyoshin/topics/html20110311144626/main_20110311144626.html
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/2011/2011_stats.php
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/global/shake/c0002ksa/
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Central Weather Bureau. (2 September 2004). [1]. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  29. ↑ NZ Herald Article - Violence of tremors stuns experts. (24 Dec 2011). [2]. Retrieved 24 December 2011.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/2010/2010_stats.php
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Los terremotos paradojicos - Seismo mortal en Murcia
  36. ↑ Crustal deformation associated with the 1960 earthquake events in the south of Chile
  37. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ USGS Earthquake Hazards Program » Magnitude 6.4 - NEAR NORTH COAST OF MOROCCO
  39. ↑ National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on the Alaska Earthquake, The great Alaska earthquake of 1964, Volume 1, Part 1, National Academies, 1968 p. 285

Bibliography

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