HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-13 - AGENDA REPORTS - SEISMIC HAZARD FOR ELSEMERE CY (2)AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
Don Williams
CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: May 13, 1997
SUBJECT: SEISMIC HAZARD EVALUATION REPORT FOR ELSMERE CANYON
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
In 1995, during the City's review of the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact
Statement ("DEIR/S") prepared for the proposed Elsmere Canyon landfill, it was determined that
some seismic information in the DEIR/S was inaccurate or incomplete. Additionally, it was believed
by the City's seismic engineer for the review, Hushmand & Associates, that the landfill's design
standards were based on bad estimates and were therefore inadequate and flawed. Finally, as the
DEIR/S had been prepared prior to January 1994, it contained no information reflecting new and
relevant scientific seismic data from the Northridge earthquake. A seismic hazard evaluation report
was commissioned by the City in March 1995.
The evaluation was substantially complete in September 1995, but not final until all relevant seismic
information pertaining to the Northridge quake could be incorporated. Hushmand revised the report
in December in 1996 when final data became available, and forwarded the report to the City.
ANALYSIS
The report concludes that the DEIR/S does not adequately evaluate all seismic impacts, particularly
the potential for severe seismic -induced ground shaking, on the project. The document fails to
recognize the need for up-to-date seismic hazard analysis of the site, including the most recent
information available on seismicity, seismic source model, and ground motion attenuation relations
developed for the region after the 1994 Northridge quake and other seismic events. Of special
concern are acceleration estimates in the DEIR/S which may be off by as much as 100%. The report
concludes that the state standards for landfill construction originally proposed by the proponent are
inadequate and unacceptable. A full copy of the report is available in the Council's reading file.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive, and direct staff to forward copies of the report to the County of Los Angeles, the United
States Forest Service, and other interested parties.
51CCAGENDAV SMSHZ.R"
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SEISMIC HAZARD EVALUATION FINAL REPORT
PROPOSED ELSMERE CANYON LANDFILL
Prepared for
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355-2196
Prepared by
Hushmand Associates
Geotechnical and Seismic Engineers
17752 Skypark Circle, Suite 285
Irvine, California 92614-6419
September 1995
(Revised December 1996)
Hushm and Associates
Geotechnical, Environmental, and Seismic Engineers
December 13, 1996
City of Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 300
Santa Clarita, CA 91355-2196
Attention: Mr. Donald M. Williams
Subject: Final Report for Seismic Hazard Evaluation, Proposed Elsmere Canyon Landfill
City of Santa Clarita PO # 10969, Dated 5-9-95
Dear Mr. Williams:
In accordance with your request and authorization, Hushmand Associates has completed the seismic hazard
evaluation of the proposed Elsmere Canyon landfill site located south and east of the City of Santa Clarita,
approximately 0.5 mile northeast of the existing State Route 14/Interstate 5 (SR/I-5) interchange. This
evaluation was performed upon your acceptance and authorization of our proposal, dated March 9, 1995,
prepared for the City of Santa ClariWs main contractor, The Gibson Company, for the review and evaluation
of the Elsmere Canyon Landfill EIR/EIS documents. The project work was also performed according to the
terms of the City's Purchase Order Number 10969.
The scope of our work, as outlined in our proposal dated March 9, 1995, included a probabilistic seismic
hazard analysis to evaluate the site acceleration for the earthquake with 10 percent or higher probability of
occurrence in 250 years (approximately the earthquake with 2400 -year return period) which is defined as the
design earthquake in Subtitle D of the Federal Code of Regulations. Preliminary results of the analysis were
presented in Dr. Hushmand's Oral Testimony Script during the May 31, 1995 Elsmere Canyon Planing
Commission Hearing.
As mutually accepted, following the planing commission hearing on May 31, 1995, final results of the study,
after inclusion of the most recent information from the Northridge earthquake research projects and additional
independent seismic hazard analysis by Dr. Norm A. Abrahamson, an internationally known seismologist, were
17752 Skypark Circle, Suite 28S - Irvine, California 92614 - (714) 474-233S - Fax (714) 474.85S8
Final Report- Elsmere Canyon Seismic Hazaru r.valuation
Page 2
documented in this written report. In particular, results of a study by the California Division of Nfines and
Geology (CDMG) on the seismicity of the Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties in southern California,
published in the February 1996 issue of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, were included
in our final report. After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the CDMG was commissioned by the Governor's
office to provide a model of the faulting and seismicity of the southern California to be used as a guide in future
seismic hazard analyses in the area.
If you have any questions regarding this report, please do not hesitate to contact this office. We appreciate
this opportunity to provide our professional services to the City of Santa Clarita.
Respectfully submitted,
HUSHMAND ASSOCIATES
H0. C 044777 m
0* 3-31-98 a Ben Hushmand, Ph.D., P.E. 44777
President
MMIREPORTS
Please also note that our address has recently changed. The new address is:
Hushmand Associates
17752 Skypark Circle, Suite 285
Irvine, CA 92614
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................ I
1.1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ........................................ I
2.0 FAULTING AND SEISMICITY ................................................. 3
2.1 GENERAL ............................................................ 3
2.2 TECTONIC SETTING ................................................... 3
2.3 FAULTING AND SEISMICITY ........................................... 4
2.3.1 FAULTING .................................................... 4
2.3.2 SEISMICITY ................................................... 5
3.0 PROBABILISTIC SEISMIC HAZARD EVALUATION ............................... 6
3.1 APPROACH .................. * .... * .... *'***** ..... * * ... * * '' 6
3.2 PROBABILISTIC SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS RESULTS ................... 7
4.0 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................. 9
5.0 REFERENCES ............................................................. 10
APPENDIX A INDEPENDENT SEISMIC HAZARD EVALUATION BY Dr. NORMAN A.
ABRAHAMSON
i
1.0 INTRODUCTION
This document provides a summary discussion on seismicity and expected site accelerations due to future
earthquakes at Elsmere Canyon proposed to be used as a landfill site by Elsmere Corporation (a subsidiary
ofBKK Corporation). Elsmere Canyon is located south and east of the City of Santa Clarita, approximately
0.5 mile northeast of the existing State Route 14/Interstate 5 (SR/1-5) interchange. The site is located in a
highly active seismic area. The Los Angeles metropolitan area and particularly San Fernando Valley where
the landfill project is proposed to be located, is geologically very complex, with numerous active faults
beneath the area. Moderate or large earthquakes (magnitude 6.5 to 7.5) on these faults could potentially
cause even more damage than a much larger earthquake on the more distant and notable San Andreas fault.
This was dramatically demonstrated by the 1994 magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake, the second most
expensive natural disaster in the U.S. history (after Hurricane Andrew).
More than 100 active faults have been identified in the Los Angeles region. Some of these are hidden blind
thrust faults which were discovered only recently after the 1987 Whittier and the 1994 Northridge
earthquakes. Three of the most hazardous faults, capable of generating earthquakes with maximum
magnitudes in the range of 7 to 7.5, are located only less than 5 miles from the site. One of these, the San
Fernando -Sierra Madre -Cucamonga fault zone which is about 5 miles from the site, with a fault plane dipping
under the Elsmere Canyon, is capable of generating a large earthquake with a magnitude as high as 7.4. The
rupture mechanism for this fault is similar to what occurred on the fault which was the source of the
Northridge earthquake. The magnitude 6.7 Northridge earthquake surprisingly generated very high
accelerations for a large distance from the earthquake. epicenter. Therefore, it is expected that a big
earthquake (magnitude higher than 7) on any of the three major faults located only less than 5 miles from the
site (Santa Susana fault zone, San Gabriel fault, and San Fernando -Sierra Madre -Cucamonga fault zone) can
generate extremely intense shaking at the Elsmere Canyon. According to a recent study by the scientists of
the Southern California Earthquake Center at University of Southern California (Dolan et al., 1995), there
is a high probability of occurrence of large (magnitude 7.2 to 7.5) earthquakes in the Los Angeles
metropolitan area about every 140 years.
1.1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
The primary geologic and seismic regulatory requirements for seismic design of municipal solid waste landfill
facilities (MSWLF) are contained in the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 23, Chapter 15, and Title
14, Chapter 3, and Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations. (CFR), Subtitle D, Part 258, § 258.14 of the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (§ 258:14 of Subtitle D).
Federal regulations which provide more stringent design requirements specify that new or expansion of
existing MSWLF units be "designed to resist the maximum horizontal acceleration (MM) in lithified earth
material." The MHA is defined as "the maximum horizontal acceleration depicted on a seismic hazard map
with a 90 percent or greater probability that the acceleration will not be exceeded in 250 years, or the
maximum expected horizontal acceleration based upon a site-specific seismic risk assessment." The MHA
can be also defined as the horizontal peak ground acceleration (PGA) in lithified earth material with a
probability of exceedance of 10 percent in 250 years. This exceedance level probability is equal to an average
return period of 2,370 years or roughly equivalent to 2,400 years. It is important to note that the Subtitle
D regulations for design of landfills are "self -implementing."
The current version of map sheet MF -2120, the USGS seismic hazard maps for the continental United States,
indicates that the MHA for the Elsmere Canyon is greater than 0.8g. Based on the recent ongoing
reassessment of seismicity of the area initiated after the Northridge earthquake (e.g., Dolan et at., 1995), the
USGS seismic hazard map underestimates seismic activity and potential earthquake hazards, particularly
extent of the shaking intensity, at the site during future earthquakes. Thus, according to the Federal
Regulations (§'258.14 Subtitle D), a site-specific seismic risk analysis was performed to estimate site
accelerations (MHA).
The present report addresses the following issues:
1) The potential regional and local seismogenic sources and thew influence on the site.
2) Regional historic seismicity in an area around the site sufficiently large to include major sources of
seismic activity capable of generating ground accelerations of engineering interest at the site.
3) Site specific seismic risk analysis to evaluate site accelerations according to the state and federal
seismic design codes and regulations for Class III (MSI) landfills.
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2.0 FAULTING AND SEISMICITY
2.1 GENERAL
This section presents and discusses the available data on active faulting and seismicity within a specified
radius of 100 kilometers (approximately 60 miles) from Elsmere Canyon, and describes the procedures used
to arrive at the site design peak ground acceleration (PGA).
A large number of data sources, particularly recent publications on faulting and seismic activity in Los
Angeles and Ventura basins, including published data after the January 17, 1994 Northridge earthquake, were
used to provide the required information on faulting and seismicity in the site region. These sources are listed
in Section 5.0 of this report.
A probabilistic seismic hazard analysis was performed to determine the site-specific PGA for the 2,400 -year
return period ground motions as required by Subtitle D. Additionally, as part of this study, an independent
site-specific seismic hazard analysis by Dr. Norman A. Abrahamson (Appendix A), was also performed to
evaluatelverify results of the analyses presented in the main text of the report.
2.2 TECTONIC SETTING
Elsmere Canyon lies near the western end of the San Gabriel Mountains, an east -west trending range within
the western Transeverse Ranges Geomorphic Province (Transverse Ranges Province) of California. The
Transverse Ranges Province is an east -west trending region consisting of numerous east -west trending
mountain ranges and associated basins or valleys. Elsmere Canyon proper begins near State Route (SR) 14,
where it joins Whitney Canyon to form Newhall Creek. From SR 14, Elsmere Canyon can be traced to the
southeast approximately one and one-quarter miles where it divides into a northern and a southern branch,
referred to as Elsmere Canyon North and South (Dames & Moore, 1995). Whitney Ridge, which ranges in
elevation from approximately 1,800 feet to 2,700 feet above mean sea level, bounds Elsmere Canyon to the
north and northwest. An unnamed ridge, which ranges in elevation from approximately 2,350 feet to greater
than 3,200 feet above mean sea level, forms the southwestern, southern, and eastern boundaries of the project
property.
The Transverse Ranges Province is tectonically controlled by a series of generally north dipping reverse or
thrust faults. These faults strike primarily east -west or east-northeast, sometimes with a component of left
lateral slip and slip rates in the submillimeter to several millimeter ranges. The Transverse and Peninsular
Ranges Provinces merge in the vicinity of the Los Angeles region as documented by the earthquake activity
in the greater Los Angeles area since 1987. Major active faults associated with the Transverse Ranges
Province include: Santa Monica -Hollywood, Santa Susana, Sierra Madre (San Fernando, Raymond,
Cucamonga), and newly discovered faults associated with deeply buried, shallow dipping "blind thrusts"
which underlie a major portion of the Los Angeles Basin.
Tectonic stresses transferred across the Transverse Ranges Province as a consequence of north -south
compression on the San Andreas Fault, have resulted in the rupture of deeply buried blind thrust faults within
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the Los Angeles region. The October 1, 1987, M5.9 Whittier Narrows Earthquake occurred along the
Elysian Park Blind Thrust Fault which is part of the blind thrust system. The recent M6.7 Northridge
Earthquake of January 17, 1994, is also believed to be associated with the blind thrust system (Davis &
Namson, 1994; Yeats & Huftile, 1995). The features are described as "blind thrust" primarily because their
fault planes do not project to the ground surface. The. current model suggests that there may be many similar
features underlying large portions of the basins and adjacent uplands within the Transverse Ranges Province.
The style of faulting appears to be a result of the merging of two dissimilar structural regimes associated with
the Transverse Ranges Province and the northwest -trending San Andreas Fault System.
2.3 FAULTING AND SEISIVIICITY
2.3.1 FAULTING
Regional and local geologic and fault studies conducted by the California Division of Mines and Geology
(CDMG) (Petersen et al., 1996; Jennings, 1994; Kahl, 1985 and 1986), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
(Ziony and Jones, 1989; Ziony, 1985), and Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) (Jackson et al.,
1995; Dolan et al., 1995) were used to delineate and characterize faults in proximity to Elsmere Canyon.
Major faults that have been identified as active or potentially active by the CDMG (Jennings, 1994) within
a 100 -km radius of Elsmere, and may influence the site with regard to earthquake activity (ground motions),
are shown in Table 1. The table provides information on the fault to site distance and direction; fault length,
dip angle, and slip rate; type of the fault (sense of movement); and Maximum Credible Earthquake (MCE)
associated with each fault. Maximum credible moment magnitudes (Mw) were obtained from several recent
publications on faulting and seismicity of southern California (see Table 1). When maximum credible
magnitudes were not available from these sources, they were estimated from the surface rupture length and
rupture area versus moment magnitude relationships developed by Wells and Coppersmith (1994), using fault
lengths estimated from Ziony and Jones (1989). The fault dip angles and slip rates were mainly derived from
the SCEC (Jackson et al., 1995 and Dolan et al., 1995) and the CDMG (Petersen et al., 1996) models of the
southern California seismicity. Several other sources were also used in estimating the fault parameters for
the probabilistic seismic hazard analyses presented later in this report (see Table 1).
Figure 1 shows the locations of the active and potentially active faults, and historical earthquake epicenters
within a 100 -km radius of the Elsmere Canyon site. Seismic activity within 100 km of the site appears to
occur in four general regions with the exception of random events. One of the more seismically active area;,
within the 100 -km radius, is near the confluence of the Pletto and White Wolf Faults (approximately 85 km
northwest of the site). A second seismically active area encompassing the site is identified near the
confluence of the Santa Susana, Sierra Madre, and Verdugo Faults (approximately 5 to 10 km south-
southeast of the site). This active zone also trends slightly to the northeast and encompasses a portion of the
San Gabriel Fault Zone. The other two seismically active areas are less pronounced than the preceding two,
and consist of: the central Los Angeles Basin area including the zone along the Newport -Inglewood Fault
about 50 to 80 km southeast of the site; and an area along the eastern portion of San Fernando -Sierra Madre -
Cucamonga Fault Zone, approximately 85 km east-southeast of the site.
Elsmere Canyon is surrounded by three major faults less than 4 miles from the site. These are the Santa
Susana and San Gabriel faults and the Sierra Madre Thrust fault zone (San Fernando, Dunsmore, Sierra
0
Madre, Duarte, Claremont, and Cucamonga segments). The trace of the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake
fault rupture is also located less than a mile to the south of the site. Based on the activity rates, and proximity
to the site, these faults provide the highest influence on the probabilistic hazard at the site. The other local
and regional faults with a significant effect on the site probabilistic hazard are the San Cayetano, Simi -Santa
Rosa, Oak Ridge, Holser, and the San Andreas Fault. There are many additional faults within 100 km of the
site; however, the probabilistic hazard will be dominated by these faults. Appendix A provides brief
descriptions of the major faults influencing the site seismic activity.
2.3.2 SEISMICITY
An earthquake computer search (Blake, 1993, 1995) was performed to list and graphically show where
historic earthquakes (epicenters) have occurred relative to the proposed Elsmere Canyon landfill site. The
computer search was confirmed by cross referencing with another source (Stover and Coffman, 1993). The
epicenters are shown on Figure 1. A search was made within a radius of 100 km from the center of the site.
Figure 1 also shows the location and coordinates of the site. Earthquakes with a local magnitude 4.0 and
larger that have occurred since 1800 are shown in Figure 1. The search produced more than 600 events, with
the largest recorded event being the Mw 7.5 (Ms 7.7) 21 July 1952 Kern County earthquake, located about
87 km northwest of the site. The closest moderate sized earthquake (the Mw 6.6 February 9, 1971 San
Fernando earthquake) was located about 10 km northeast of the site on the San Fernando fault.
Seven earthquakes ranging between ML4.4 to ML6.4 have occurred in the greater Los Angeles Basin from
1987 to 1994. At least five faults have been active in this sequence. The October 1, 1987, Whittier Narrows
and June 12, 1988, Montebello events occurred on the Elysian Park Blind Thrust. The December 3, 1988
Pasadena earthquake was a result of left lateral movement on the Raymond fault and the two Upland events
(June 26, 1988 and February 28, 1990) were associated with a similar type of displacement along the San
Jose fault. The June 28, 1991 Sierra Madre fault event is believed to have occurred on the Clamshell-Sawpit
splay with dominantly thrust movement. The January 17, 1994, Northridge earthquake is believed to have
occurred on a previously unknown blind thrust fault. None of the earthquakes caused surface rupture and
hypocenter depths were in excess of 9 km. The earthquakes discussed above were all associated with crustal
fault adjustment within the Transverse Ranges and are within 80 km of the site.
Significant recent events in southern California located at a distance greater than 100 km from the site were
the June 28, 1992 Landers (Mw 7.3) and Big Bear (Mw6.2) earthquakes (Jackson et at., 1995). These events
were associated with strike -slip movement on northwest trending faults east of the San Andreas fault.
3.0 PROBABILISTIC SEISNUC HAZARD EVALUATION
A probabilistic seismic hazard evaluation was performed to evaluate the PGA with an average 2,400 -year
return period (design ground motion used in Subtitle D). The site is located at 118.490'W and 34.352"N,
in San Fernando Valley, California (Figure 1).
3.1 APPROACH
A current approach used in seismic hazard evaluation is to develop a probabilistic source model based upon
the regional structural geology, tectonics, and historical seismicity (Comell, 1968). The results of this study
are usually presented in the form of a plot of horizontal peak ground acceleration (PGA) versus annual
frequency of exceedance or average return period. The necessary input for a seismic hazard evaluation
consists of. (1) a source model, (2) the seismic activity and frequency -magnitude relationship, and (3) the
attenuation relationship between maximum horizontal ground acceleration, earthquake magnitude, and
source -site distance.
The probabilistic seismic risk analysis was performed using the computer code EZ -FRISK' (Risk
Engineering, Inc., 1995). The program models earthquake sources as both lines (faults) and area sources
(appropriate when the causative faults are unknown), and calculates annual frequencies of exceedance of
various ground motion levels at the site due to the sources within a specified area around the site. In the
analysis of the seismic risk at Elsmere Canyon, the analysis area around the site was selected to be a 100 -
kilometer -radius circle. Effects of three-dimensional geometry of faults are also modeled in the program by
fault trace coordinates, dip angle varying with depth, and fault depth data providing information on location,
length, strike, dip, and width of the faults. Modeling the three-dimensional planar geometry of faults is
particularly critical for reliable evaluation of the impact of the near -field faults on the site design ground
motions.
Regional faults within 100 km of the project site were modeled, depending on their distance from the site,
as linear or planar sources in this seismic hazard evaluation. Effects of unknown seismic sources such as blind
thrust faults and random seismicity on the site ground motions were also considered by an area source
encompassing the site. Based on the activity rates, and proximity to the site, the faults that will have a
significant effect on the probabilistic hazard at the site are the Santa Susana, San Gabriel, Sierra Madre Thrust
fault zone (San Fernando, Dunsmore, Sierra Madre, Duarte, Claremont, and Cucamonga segments), Oak
Ridge, San Cayetano, Simi -Santa Rosa, and the San Andreas fault. There are many additional faults within
100 km of the site; however, the probabilistic hazard will be dominated by these faults.
The magnitude recurrence relation depends on the slip -rate, maximum magnitude, minimum magnitude, and
magnitude distribution (relative number of small and large earthquakes). The earthquake occurrence is
assumed to follow a Poisson model (no memory), but two alternative magnitude density functions are
considered. The recurrence curve representing the frequency of occurrence of earthquakes of various sizes
(magnitudes) for a seismic source was modeled using either the truncated exponential model or the
characteristic -magnitude model. Except for the area source and few faults that the truncated exponential
model was used, the characteristic model proposed by Youngs and Coppersmith (1985) was used in this
0
seismic hazard evaluation. The characteristic model assumes that more of the seismic energy is released in
large magnitude events than for the truncated exponential model. That is, there are fewer small magnitude
events for every large magnitude event for the characteristic model than for the truncated exponential model.
Recent studies have found that the characteristic model does a better job of matching observed seismicity than
the truncated exponential model (Geomatrix, 1992).
The basic inputs for the probabilistic analyses using the above program are:
• Site coordinates.
• Rupture mechanism and geometry of the seismic sources and their location with respect to
the site (the source mechanism such as strike slip, reverse, normal, or oblique; fault trace
coordinates, dip angle, and depth information).
• Recurrence curve information specifying the average number of earthquakes per year of given
magnitudes occurring within the seismic sources. This information includes fault slip rate,
total annual rate of occurrence of earthquakes exceeding a minimum magnitude in the
truncated exponential model, b -value [the slope of the best -fit line from a Gutenberg -Richter
(1954) recurrence plot], and parameters of the characteristic -magnitude model.
• Maximum magnitudes associated with the faults and area sources.
• Parameters of the rupture -length equation.
• Attenuation relationships.
Faults in close proximity of the site were digitized in detail from the 1:24,000 scale Earthquake Fault Zones
maps (formerly Special Study Zones maps) of the State of California prepared by the California Division of
Mmes and Geology (CDMG) in compliance with "Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act." The rest
of the faults in the analysis area, were digitized from the CDMG, 1:750,000 scale fault activity map of
California (Jennings, 1994). The information regarding fault slip rates, b -values, maximum magnitudes, dip
angles, depths, source mechanism, appropriate recurrence, fault rupture, and attenuation relationships were
derived from some of the most recent publications on seismic activity and faulting in Southern California
(Petersen et al., 1996; Jackson et al., 1995; Dolan et al., 1995; Wells and Coppersmith, 1994; Boore et al.,
1993 and 1994; Sadigh et al., 1993 and 1994; Idriss, 1993; Wesnousky, 1986; Ziony and Yerkes, 1985).
3.2 PROBABILISTIC SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS RESULTS
The results of the probabilistic analyses for the site design Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) are presented
in Figures 2 through 5. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate annual rates of exceedance and average return period of
the PGA at the site for different acceleration values, respectively. These figures present results of a
probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of the site mainly based on the SCEC's seismic source model (source
parameters for critical faults influencing the site seismicity were derived from Dolan et al., 1995 and Jackson
et al., 1995, see Table 1). Figures 4 and 5 present similar results for the seismic hazard analysis of the site
based on the CDMG's seismic source model (source parameters for critical faults influencing the site
seismicity were estimated from Petersen et al., 1996). The attenuation relationship of Idriss (1993) for the
PGA, which was developed based on recorded accelerations at bedrock and stiff soil sites, was considered
suitable for the proposed landfill site which is underlain by rock. The analysis was also performed using two
other recent attenuation equations; also developed for firm ground sites, to verify the possible range of the
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PGA at the site. These equations were: Q) Boore-Joyner-Fumal (1994) for site "class B" and (2) Sadigh,
et al. (1994) for rock. As indicated from the E6,ures, the three attenuation relations provide comparable PGA
estimates for the 2400 -year -return -period event (the Subtitle D design earthquake). The PGA, estimated
using the Idriss (1993) equation, is approximately equal to the average of the values estimated from the other
two attenuation relations. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the mean values of the PGA (average of the results
from the three attenuation relations) for the 2400-year-retum-period earthquake are estimated at 1.2g to 1.3g
for the Elsmere Canyon site.
Appendix A presents results of another seismic hazard analysis for the Elsmere Canyon site conducted
independently by Dr. Norman A. Abrahamson as part of this study. The results of this independent analysis
show a peak acceleration of 1.13g for the ground motion with approximately 2400 -year return period
(Subtitle D design motion).
4.0 CONCLUSIONS
The US Code of Federal Regulation (USEPA Subtitle D) requires that all landfills within a "seismic impact
zone" be "designed to resist the maximum horizontal acceleration in lithified earth material" (MITA). The
MHA is defined as "the maximum horizontal acceleration depicted on a seismic hazard map with a 90 percent
or greater probability that acceleration will not be exceeded in 250 years, or the maximum expected
horizontal acceleration based upon a site-specific seismic risk assessment." This corresponds approximately
to the acceleration generated by the 2400 -year return period earthquake. A "seismic impact zone" is defined
as a region within which the maximum horizontal acceleration for the stated probability level is greater than
0.1g. The USGS seismic hazard Map Sheet MF72120 shows the approximate levels of acceleration to be
considered for design of landfills across the United States. From this map, it can be observed that the
proposed Elsmere Canyon landfill is located in a seismic impact zone and should be designed for a maximum
horizontal acceleration greater than 0.8g.
In the present study, a site-specific seismic hazard analysis of the proposed Elsmere Canyon landfill was
conducted to evaluate a more reliable estimate of the site MHA for the approximately 2400 -year return
period earthquake, as required by USEPA Subtitle D regulations for seismic design of landfills. The
postulated Subtitle D design earthquake for the proposed Elsmere Canyon landfill was characterized by a
peak horizontal acceleration in lithified earth material of approximately 1.2g to 1.3g. A second independent
seismic hazard analysis of the site (Appendix A) resulted in a maximum horizontal site acceleration of 1.13g,
verifying the peak acceleration computed here for the Subtitle D design ground motion. Therefore, according
to the results of the site-specific seismic hazard analysis presented in this report, the proposed Elsmere
Canyon landfill should be designed for an MHA level exceeding 1.Og in order to satisfy federal regulations
for seismic design of municipal solid waste landfills.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIR/DEIS) prepared for
the proposed Elsmere Canyon landfill (Dames and Moore, 1995) does not adequately evaluate the seismic
impacts, particularly the potential for severe seismic -induced ground shaking, on the project. The DEIR/DEIS
document fails to recognize the need for an up-to-date seismic hazard analysis of the site which includes the
most recent information on the seismicity, seismic source model, and ground motion attenuation relations
developed for the region after the recent seismic events in southern California, particularly the January 1994
Northridge earthquake. The preliminary site acceleration of 0.6g estimated in the DEIR/DEIS is too low and
provides a nonconservative measure of the shaking intensity compared with the site acceleration (--1.2g)
estimated for the 2400 -year return period earthquake in the present site-specific seismic hazard study.
5.0 REFERENCES
Blake, T. F. (1993), "EQSEARCH Computer Program," Thomas F. Blake Computer Services and Software.
Blake, T. F. (1995), Annual Update of California Seismicity Data Base, Thomas F. Blake Computer Services
and Software.
Boore, D. M., W. B. Joyner, and.T. E. Fumal (1993), "Estimation of Response Spectra and Peak
Accelerations from Western North American Earthquakes," An Interim Report, U.S. Geological Survey
Open -File Report 93-509, 72 pp.
Boore, D. M., W. B. Joyner, and T. E. Fumal (1994a), "Estimation of Response Spectra and Peak
Accelerations from Western North American Earthquakes," An Interim Report, Part 2, U.S. Geological
Survey Open -File Report 94-127,40 pp.
Boore, D. M., W. B. Joyner, and T. E. Fumal (1994b), "Ground Motion Estimates for Strike- and Reverse -
Slip Faults," U.S. Geological Survey, Unpublished Note.
Comell, C. A. (1968), "Engineering Seismic Risk Analysis," Bulletin of Seismological Society of America,
Vol. 58, No. 5, pp. 1583-1606, October.
Dames & Moore (1995), "Draft Environmental Impact Report/Enviromnental Impact Statement - Proposed
Elsmere Solid Waste Management Facility," prepared for U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
and Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, January.
Davis, T. L. and J. S. Namson (1994), "A Balanced Cross -Section of the 1994 Northridge Earthquake,
Southern California," Nature 372, 167-169.
Dolan, J. F., K. Sieh, T. K. Rockwell, R. S. Yeats, J. Shaw, J. Suppe, G. J. Huftile, and E. M. Gath (1995),
"Prospects for Larger or More Frequent Earthquakes in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Region," Science, Vol.
267, January 13, 199-205.
Geomatrix (1992), "Seismic Ground Motion Study for the West San Francisco Bay Bridge," Report to
Caltrans, Contract No. 59N772.
Gutenberg, B. and C. F. Richter (1954), "Seismicity of the Earth," Princeton University Press, 310 pp.
Idriss, I. M. (1993), "Procedures for Selecting Earthquake Ground Motions at Rock Sites;" National Institute
of Standards and Technology, NIST GCR 93-625, 7 pp.
Jackson, D. D., K. AkL A. A. Cornell, J. H. Dieterich, T. L. Henyey, M. Mandyiar, D. Schwartz, and S. N.
Ward (Southern California Earthquake Center - SCEC 1995), "Seismic Hazards in Southern California:
Probable Earthquakes, 1994-2024," BSSA, Vol. 85.
10
Jennings, C. W. (1994), "Fault Activity Map of California and Adjacent Areas," California Department of
Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, Geologic Data Map No. 6, Scale 1:750,000.
Jones, L. M. and E. Hauksson (1994), "Review of Potential Earthquake Sources in Southern California,"
Proceedings of Seminar of New Developments in Earthquake Ground Motion Estimation and Implications
for Engineering Design Practice, ATC 35-1, January 26.
Kahle, J. E. (1985), "The San Cayetano Fault near Fillmore, the Lion Fault in Upper Ojai Valley, and the
Arroyo-Patrida-Santa Ana Fault near Mira Monte, Ventura County, California," California Division of Mmes
and Geology Fault Evaluation Report, FER-174, 25 p.
Kahle, J. E. (1986); "The San Gabriel Fault near Castaic and Saugus, Los Angeles County, California,"
California Division of Mmes and Geology Fault Evaluation Report, FER-178.
Petersen, M. D., C. H. Cramer, W. A. Bryant, M. S. Reichle, and T. R. Toppozada (1996), "Preliminary
Seismic Hazard Assessment for Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties, California Affected by the
January 17, 1994 Northridge Earthquake," Bulletin of Seismological Society of America, Vol. 85, No. 6,
February.
Risk Engineering, Inc. (1995), "EZ -FRISK'"{ User's Manual, Version 2.0," Boulder, Colorado.
Sadigh, K, C. Y. Chang, N. A. Abrahamson, S. J. Chiou, and M. S. Power (1993), "Specification of Long -
Period Ground Motions: Updated Attenuation Relationships for Rock Site Conditions and Adjustment
Factors for Near -Fault Effects," in Proceedings of ATC -17-1 Seminar on Seismic Isolation, Passive Energy
Dissipation and Active Control, Applied Technology Council, Redwood City, California, Vol. 2, pp 59-70.
Sadigh, K. and others (1994), Written communication to the Southern California Earthquake Center, Los
Angeles, Calif., by Geomatrix Consultants, San Francisco, Calif.
Stover, C. and J. Coffman (1993), "Seismicity of the United States, 1568-1989," U.S. Geological Survey
Professional Paper 1527.
Wells, D. L. and K. J. Coppersmith (1994), "New Empirical Relationships Among Magnitude, Rupture
Length, Rupture Width, Rupture Area, and Surface Displacement;" Bulletin of Seismological Society of
America, Vol. 84, 974-1002.
Wesnousky, S. G. (1986), "Earthquakes, Quaternary Faults, and Seismic Hazards in California," Journal of
Geophysics Research, Vol. 91, 12587-12631.
Yeats, R. S. and G. J. Huflile (1995), "Oak Ridge Fault System and the 1994 Northridge, California
Earthquake," Nature 373, 418-420.
Yerkes, R. F. (1985), "Geologic and Seismologic Setting," in J. I. Ziony (Editor), Evaluating Earthquake
hazards in the Los Angeles Region—An Earth -Science Perspective, U.S. Geological Survey Professional
Paper 1360, 25-43.
11
Youngs, R. R and K. J. Coppersmith (1985), "Implications of Fault Slip Rates and Earthquake Recurrence
Models to Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Estimates," Bulletin of Seismological Society of America, Vol. 75,
pp. 939-964.
Ziony, J. I. (Editor), "Evaluating Earthquake hazards in the Los Angeles Region --An Earth -Science
Perspective," U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1360,43-91, 1985.
Ziony, J. I. and L. M. Jones (1989), "Map Showing Late Quaternary Faults and 1978-84 Seismicity of the
Los Angeles Region, California," U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Field Studies Map MF -1964, Scale
1:250,000.
Ziony, J. I. and R. F. Yerkes (1985), "Evaluating earthquake and Surface Faulting Potential," in J.1. Ziony
(Editor), Evaluating Earthquake hazards in the Los Angeles Region—An Earth -Science Perspective, U.S.
Geological Survey Professional Paper 1360, 43-91.
12
TABLE 1
MAJOR FAULTS WITHIN A 100 -KILOMETER RADIUS
OF THE ELSMERE CANYON SITE
FAULT
APPROXIMATE
DISTANCE AND
DIRECTION
FROM Srrgc
FAULT
LENGTH`'
(km)
FAULT
DIPm
SLIP RATEot
(mm/yr)
TYPE OF
FAULT
(SENSE OF SLIP)un
MAGNITUDE (Ma.)
OF MAXIMUM
CREDIBLE
EARTHQUAKE('
AGE AND EVIDENCE
OF LATEST SURFACE
FAULTINGi'
Santa Susem
3AS
30
60' N 55'
6.0(3.0)
Reverse
6.9(6.7)
Late Quaternary
Sen Gabriel
3.8N
100
60• N 0'
1.0
Strike Slip
7.0 .1
Holocene mar Castaic- LateQ"wmary
Siem Madre -San Fernando
7ASE
85
600 N 45•
4.0 .0
Reverse
7.3(7.2)
Holocene and Late Quaternary
Verdu o -Ea Ie Rock
12.8SE
27
45' - 60' NE
0.1
Reverse Oblique
6.4
Holocene
Northridge Hills
12.9S
20
35' - 80' N
0.5
Reverse Oblique
6.7
Late atema • Historic
Holser
15ANW
19
650 S
0.6
Reverse
6.3
Late Quaternary
Simi -Santa Ron
17ASW
36
60' N
0.9
Reverse Oblique
6.9(6.9)-
Late Quaternary
Oak Ride Onshore
22.3W
42
1 50' S 65' S
4.9
Reverse Oblique
7.3(7.5)
Late terns • Holocene near Fillmme
Cleawater
26AN
30
80' N
0.05
Normal Oblique
6.9
Late Quaternary
San Ca etano
28.5W
50
45• N 60'
6.0
Reverse
7.0
Holocene
Santa Monica -Hollywood
31 ASSE
5o
65• - 70' N
1.5
Reverse Oblique
7.0
Late Ouaternary
Ne rt -In lewood
33.9SE
95
74' NE - 90'
1.0(1.5)
Strike Slip
7.0
Holocene onh Branch • LateQ"temary
EI aian Park Seismic Zone
34.25E
41
22' NE
1.7
Blind Thorn -Reverse
7.0
Historical 1987 Whinier Narrows Event
San Andreas o ave
34.7N
337
90'
34.0
Strike Slip
8.0
Historical 185 SE to Wrihtwood
Raymond
35.5SE
22
80' NE
0.4
Reverse Oblique
6.7
Historical 1988 M4.9 Pandena Earthquake)
Malibu Coon
37.OSW
1 50
75' N
1.5
Reverse Oblique
6.9
Late aterna• Holocene
(1) Petersen et A., 1996; Jackson et al., 1995; Blake, 1993; Jennings, 1994; Ziony and Jones, 1989; Weanousky, 1986; Ziony and Yerkes, 1985. Refinements were made to fault traces for mar -field faults
using state of California Special Studies Zone pupa.
(2) Petersen et al., 1996; Dolan et al., 1995; Yerkes, 1985; Wesnouaky, 1986; Ziony and Yerkes, 1985.
(3) Petersen et al., 1996; Dolan at al., 1995; Jackson et al., 1995; Wesnousky, 1986.
(4) Petersen et al., 1996; Dolan et al., 1995; Wesnounky, 1986; Ziony and Yerkes, 1985.
(5) Petersen et al., 1996; Jackson et al., 1995; Dolan et al., 1995; Wenwusky, 1986. When maximum erodible moment magnitudes for faults were not available from these sources, they were estimated from
the surface rupture length and rupture arm versa moment magnitude relationships developed by Wells No Coppersmith (094).
(6) Jackson et al., 1995; Ziony and Yerkes, 1985.
TABLE 1
MAJOR FAULTS WITHIN A 100 -KILOMETER RADIUS
OF THE ELSMERE CANYON SITE
(Continued)
FAULT
APPROXIMATE
DISTANCE AND
DIRECTION
FROM SrrEt"
FAULT
LENGTH"'
0—)
FAULT
DIPM
SLIP RATE"'
(mm)yr)
TYPE OF
FAULT
(SENSE OF SLIP))-
MAGNITUDE (Ma.)
OF MAXIMUM
CREDIBLE
EARTHQUAKE'^
AGE AND EVIDENCE
OF LATEST SURFACE
FAULTING"
Whinier -North Elrinore
38.7SE
70
70' NE
5.0
Strike Slip
7.5
Late Quaternary NW of Brea
Canyon
Pine Mountain
40ANW
60
9o'
0.1
Reverse
7.0
Late Quaternary
Santa Ynez et
45.1NW
90
90'
1.0
Strike Slip
7.5
Late Ouaternary
Palos Verdes
45.35 -SE
106
70' SW
3.5
Reverse Obki ue
7.2
Holocene in San Pedro Ba
Annea a
51.7SW
86
45' N
1.0
Reverse
7.2
Holocene
Arroyo Parids
59.7W
so
70' N
0.4
Reverse
7.3
Late Quaternary
(1) Petersen et al., 1996; Jackson et al., 1995; Blake, 1993; Jennings, 1994; Ziony and Jones, 1989; Wewou.ky, 1986; Ziooy and Yerkes, 1985. Refinements were made to fault traces for near -field faults
using state of California Special Studies Zone maps. "
(2) Petersen et A., 1996; Dolan el al., 1995; Yerkes, 1985; Wesnousky, 1986; Ziony and Yerkes, 1985.
(3) Petersen et al., 1996; Dolan et al., 1995; Jackson el al., 1995; Wesnousky, 1986.
(4) Petersen et al., 1996; Dolan at al., 1995; Wesnousky, 1986; tinny and Yerkes, 1985. -
(5) Petersen et al., 1996; Jackson U al., 1995; Dolan at al., 1995; Wese ousky,'1986. When maximum credible moment magnitudes for faults were not available from these sources, they were estimated from
the surface rupture length and rupture area versus moment magnitude relationships developed by Wells and Coppersmith (1994).
(6) Jackson et al., 1995; Ziony and Yerkes, 1985.
NOTE: The information on fault trace coordinates, dip angles and slip rates, magnitude of fault maximum credible earthquake, and fault types were used in the probabilistic evaluation of the
site seismic design parameters. Fault dip angle and its maximum credible earthquake magnitude were estimated from the range of values provided in the above referenced literature.
Two separate probabilisitie seismic hazed analyses using different fault dip, slip rete, and maximum magnitude values for faults with the highest influence on the site seismicity were
performed. In the fust analysis the fault parameters were selected mainly from the Southern California Earthquake Center seismicity model for southern California (Jackson et al.,
1995; Dolan et al., 1995), while in the second analysis some of the fault parameters for several faults were changed based on the latest CDMG model for the southern California
seismicity (Petersen et al., 1996). The fault parameters used in the second seismic hazard evaluation for the site are shown in parentheses.
.i
1
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FAULTS AND HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKE
EPICENTERS WITHIN 100 KM
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Proposed Elsmere Canyon Landfill Seismic Hazard Analysis
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Proposed Elsmere Canyon Landfill Seismic Hazard Analysis
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Proposed Elsmere Canyon Landfill Seismic Hazard Analysis
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Proposed Elamere Canyon Landfill Seismic Hazard Analysis
INDEPENDENT SEISMIC HAZARD EVALUATION
SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS FOR THE SITE LOCATED
AT 118.490W9 -34.352N (ELSMERE CANYON)
A Report Prepared by Dr. Norman A. Abrahamson
Engineering Seismology Consultant
Norman A. Abrahamson, Ph.D.
ENGINEERING SEISMOLOGY CONSULTANT
August 24, 1995
Ben Hushmand
Hushmand Assoc.
17748 Skypark Circle, Suite 230
Irvine, CA 92714
Dear Ben:
I've enclosed the report for the seismic hazard at the site located at 118.490W, 34.352N.
Sincerely,
,A`Z, e—, e,- ,
Norm Abrahamson
5319 Camino Alta Mira
Castro Valley. California 94546
Telephone 510.582.9017 Fax 510.582.4025
Ground Motions for the Site at (118.490W, 34.352N)
Introduction
The site is located in a highly faulted region north of the San Fernando Valley. Based on
the activity rates, and proximity to the site, the faults that will have a significant effect
on. the probabilistic hazard at the site are the Santa Susana, San Gabriel, San Cayetano,
Simi -Santa Rosa, Sierra Madre Thrust fault zone (San Fernando; Dunsmore, Sierra
Madre, Duarte, Claremont, and Cucamonga segments), and the San Andreas Fault.
There are many additional faults within 100 km of the site, however the probabilistic
hazard will be dominated by these faults..
Following Subtitle D, the ground motion with a.90% chance of not being exceeded in
250 years is computed using a site-specific probabilistic seismic hazard analysis.
The probabilistic seismic hazard analysis follows the standard approach developed by
Cornell (1968). The basic methodology involves computing how often a specified level
of ground motion will be exceeded at the site. Subtitle D specifies a ground motion
with a 90% chance of not being exceeded in 250 years. Under a Poisson assumption
(e.g. no memory of past earthquakes), this corresponds to a return period of 2370 years.
The maximum magnitudes, and slip -rates (activity rates) for each fault listed in Table 1
are based on the recent seismic hazard studies by the California Division of Mines and
Geology (Petersen, et al.1995) and Wodoward-Clyde,1994. The CDMG model is itself
based on the Southern California Earthquake Center model (Working Group on
California Earthquake Probabilities, 1995). Brief descriptions of the faults that have a
significant contribution to the hazard at the site are given below.
Descriptions of Significant Faults
Santa Susana Fault
The Santa Susana Fault is located approximately 3 km south of the site. The Santa
Susana Fault is the closest fault to the site. The Santa Susana Fault has a total length of
about 32 km with reverse slip motion dipping to the north (toward the site). There have
been no historical earthquakes with magnitude greater or equal to 5.0 associated with
the Santa Susana Fault.
San Gabriel Fault
The San Gabriel Fault is located approximately 4 km north of the site. The San Gabriel
Fault has a total length of about 73 km with predominately right -lateral strike -slip
motion. There have been no historical earthquakes with magnitude greater or equal to
5.0 associated with the San Gabriel Fault.
San Andreas Fault
The San Andreas Fault is located approximately 35 km northeast of the site. This
section of the San Andreas Fault is called the Mojave Segment. The San Andreas Fault
is a predominately right -lateral strike -slip fault extending from Cape Mendocino to
Mexico. The northern and southern sections of the fault are divided by the central
creeping section south of Hollister to Parkfield. The southern half of the San Andreas
Fault is further segmented near San Bernardino at the junction with the San Jacinto
Fault. There are four segments of the San Andreas Fault between the creeping section
and the San Jacinto Fault junction: Parkfield, Cholame, Carrizo, and Mojave. These four
segments may rupture independently or simultaneously.
The largest historical earthquake on the Carrizo Plain segment was the 1857, Fort Tejon
Earthquake with a moment magnitude of 7.9 (Well and Coppersmith, 1994). This
earthquake was due to simultaneous rupture of the Parkfield, Cholame, Carrizo, and
Mohave segments.
Oakridge Fault
The Oakridge Fault is located approximately 34 km west of the site. The Oakridge Fault
has a total length of about 97 km with reverse slip motion dipping to the south. There
have been no historical earthquakes.with magnitude greater or equal to 5.0 associated
with the Oakridge fault.
San Cayetano Fault
The San Cayetano Fault is located approximately 33 km west of the site. The San
Cayetano Fault has a total length of about 45 km with reverse slip motion dipping to the
north. There have been no historical earthquakes with magnitude greater or equal to
5.0 associated with the San Cayetano fault.
Holser Fault
The Holser fault is located approximately 15 km northwest of the site and has a length
of 16 km. The motion is predominately reverse with the fault dipping approximately 45
degrees to the north. There have been no historical earthquakes with magnitude greater
or equal to 5.0 associated with the Holser fault.
Simi -Santa Rose Fault
The Simi -Santa Rosa Fault is located approximately 17 km southwest of the site. The
Simi -Santa Rosa fault system has a total length of about 36 km with reverse slip motion
dipping to the north. There have been no historical earthquakes with magnitude
greater or equal to 5.0 associated with the Simi -Santa Rosa fault system.
Sierra Madre Thrust Zone
The Sierra Madre.Thrust zone consists of several east -west trending thrust faults: San
Fernando Fault, Dunsmore Fault, Sierra Madre Fault, Duarte Fault, Claremont Fault,
and Cucamonga Fault. The site is located closest to the San Fernando segment which is
about 6 km to the southeast. The total fault length of the Sierra Madre Thrust zone is
about 63 km. The San Fernando segment has a length of 20 km.
The largest historical earthquake on the Sierra Madre Thrust zone was the 1971 San
Fernando earthquake with magnitude 6.6. This event ruptured the San Fernando
segment of this fault system.
Probabilistic Hazard Calculation
The probabilistic seismic hazard analysis follows the standard approach developed by
Cornell (1968). The basic methodology involves computing how often a specified level
of ground motion will be exceeded at the site. The hazard analysis computes the annual
number of events that produce a ground motion parameter, Z, that exceeds a specified
level, z. This number of events per year, v, is also called the "annual frequency of
exceedance". The inverse of v is called the "return period" and is given in years. Once
this annual frequency of occurrence is obtained, the probability of this level of ground
motion being exceeded over a specified time period is computed using the following
expression:
P = 1- exp(-vt) (1)
where P is the probability of this level of ground motion being exceeded in t years. This
calculation assumes a Poisson occurrence of earthquakes (that is, there is no memory of
past earthquakes).
The calculation of the annual frequency of occurrence, v, involves three probability
distributions: the frequency of occurrence of earthquakes of various sizes (magnitudes),
the location of the earthquakes, and the attenuation of the ground motion from the
earthquake rupture to the site. The occurrence rates of the earthquakes of various
magnitudes are determined by the magnitude recurrence relations. The location of the
earthquake depends on the geometry of the seismic source relative to the site locations.
The ground motion at the site is determined from the attenuation relation.
The magnitude recurrence relation depends on the slip -rate, maximum magnitude,
minimum magnitude, and magnitude distribution (relative number of small and large
earthquakes). The location of the earthquakes are determined by randomly locating
earthquakes along the fault rupture. The attenuation relation describes the median
ground motion for a given magnitude and distance, as well as the variability of the
ground motion which accounts for randomness in the ground motions. These
parameters are discussed in more detail below.
Attenuation Relations
Three attenuation relations are used for the hazard analysis. These are the Sadigh et al.
(1993), Idriss (1991), and Boore, Joyner, and Fumal (1994) site (class B) attenuation
relations for rock For all of the models, the log -normal distribution was truncated at 3.0
sigmas.
Recurrence Model
There are two parts to the earthquake recurrence model: how many earthquakes occur
each year (activity rate) and what is the relative distribution of small and large
magnitude events (magnitude density function).
The activity rate is computed by balancing the energy build-up from geologic evidence
with the total energy release of earthquakes. The geologic evidence is the slip -rate on
the fault. Knowing the dimension of the fault, the slip -rate, and the rigidity of the fault,
we can balance the long term seismic moment so that the fault is in equilibrium.
(Youngs and Coppersmith, 1985).
The seismic energy release is balanced by requiring the build up of seismic moment to
be equal to the release of seismic moment in earthquakes. The build up of seismic
moment is computed from the long term slip -rate. The seismic moment, Mo (in dyne
cm), is given by
Mo=v AD
(2)
where µ is the rigidity of the crust, A is the area of the fault (in cm2), and D is the
average displacement (slip) on the fault surface (in cm). The annual rate of build up of
seismic moment is given by
Mo=uAS
(3)
where S is the slip -rate in cm/year. The seismic moment released during an earthquake
is given by
log Mo = 1.5 M + 16.05
where M is the moment magnitude of the earthquake.
(4)
To balance the moment build up and the moment release, the annual moment rate from
the slip -rate is set equal to the sum of the moment released in all of the earthquakes that
are expected to occur each year.
µAS = cJ L f(M)101.5M+16.05 dM
ML
(5)
where f(M) is the probability density function of the magnitude recurrence relation, ML
is the minimum magnitude that can cause damage, mU is the maximum magnitude for
the seismic source, and c is a constant. The constant c is the only free parameter and it is
computed from Equation (5).
The earthquake occurrence is assumed to follow a Poison model (no memory), but two
alternative magnitude density functions are considered. The magnitude density
function describes the relative number of earthquakes at each magnitude. We have
considered a truncated exponential model and a characteristic model (Youngs and
Coppersmith, 1985). In both cases, a b -value of 0.80 is used for all faults.
The characteristic model assumes that more of the seismic energy is released in large
magnitude events than for the truncated exponential model. That is, there are fewer
small magnitude events for every large magnitude event for the characteristic model
than for the truncated exponential model.
Recent studies have found that the characteristic model does a better job of matching
observed seismicity than the truncated exponential (Geomatrix,1992, Woodward -
Clyde, 1994). In the current study, the characteristic model was given 90% weight and
the truncated exponential model was given 10% of the weight for all of the faults.
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis Results
The peak acceleration hazard is shown in Figures la and lb. The results are presented
in terms of the annual probability of exceeding a given level of acceleration (Figure la)
and average return period (Figure 1b). For Subtitle D, the ground motion for a 2370
return period is used. This corresponds to an annual probability of exceedance of
0.0042. At this hazard level, the peak acceleration is 1.13g.
The hazard curve shows the cumulative effects of the ground motion hazard from
various magnitude earthquakes at various distances. For a given level of hazard (e.g.
0.0042 annual probability), the hazard can be broken back down into the contributions
from distinct magnitude and distance ranges. This process, called deaggregation,
provides additional insight into the dominant sources. The deaggregated PGA hazard
for 0.6g is shown in Figure 2. This figure shows that the hazard is dominated by close
events (distances of 5-10 km) which corresponds to the earthquakes on the Santa Susana
Fault. The mean magnitude (M bar), mean distance (D bar), and mean number of
standard deviations (epsilon Bar) from the deaggregated hazard are shown in Figure 3
as a function of the ground motion level. For 1.138, the M bar and D bar correspond to
a magnitude 6.6 event at a distance of 4 km. The epsilon bar of 1.8 indicates that this
ground motion (1.13g) is on average 1.8 standard deviations above the median level
predicted by the attenuation relations.
References
Boore, D. M., W. B. Joyner, and T. Fumal (1993). Estimation of response spectra and
peak accelerations from Western North American earthquakes: an interim report, U.S.
Geological Survey, OFR 93-509.
Boore, D. M., W. B. Joyner, and T. Fumal (1994). Update to the Joyner Boore Fumal 1993
attenuation model, Communication to SCEC, April 1994.
Cornell, C. A. (1968). Engineering seismic risk analysis, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 58,1583-
1606.
Geomatrix (1992). Seismic ground motion study for. the west San Francisco Bay Bridge,
Report to Caltrans, Contract No. 59N772.
Idriss, I. M. (1991). Selection of Earthquake ground motions at rock sites, Report
prepared for the Structures Div., Building and Fire Research Lab., NIST.
Jennings (1994). Fault Activity map of Califonnia and adjacent areas, Calif. Div. Mines
and Geology, Map No. 6.
Petersen, M. D., C. H. Cramer, W. A. Bryant, M. S. Reichle, T. R. Toppozada, -
Preliminary seismic hazard assessment for Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange Counties,
California affected by the January 17,1994 Northridge Earthquake, Bull. Seism. Soc.
Am., In Press.
Sadigh, K, C -Y Chang, N. A. Abrahamson, S. J. Chiou, and M. Power, (1993).
Specification of long period motions: updated attenuation relations for rock site
conditions and adjustment factors for near -fault effects, Proc. ATC 17-1., 59-70.
Wells, D. and K.Coppersmith (1994). Updated empirical relationships among
magnitude, rupture length, rupture area, and surface displacement, submitted to Bull.
Seism. Soc. Am.
Woodward -Clyde (1994). Seismic evaluation of southern California bridges, Final
Report to Caltrans, 59N771.
Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities (1988). Probabilities of large
earthquakes occurring in California on the San Andreas fault, U.S. Geological Survey
Open File Report 88-398.
Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities (1995), Seismic hazards in
Southern California: Probable earthquakes,1994 to 2024, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 85,379-
439.
Youngs, R. R. K. Coppersmith (1985). Implications of fault slip rates and earthquake
recurrence models to probabilistic seismic hazard estimates, Bull. Seism. Soc. Am., 75,
939-964.
(-118.490, 34.352): CDMGv2, R. -c.,<
0.1
0.01
LU
0.001
a.
CO
MO
0.0001
0.00001
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
Peak Ground Acceleration (g)
Figure Ia. Probabilistic seismic hazard for horizontal peak
acceleration. 10% chance of being exceeded in 250 -years corresponds
to an annual probability of 0.0042.
11H
Ill
ill
111
--
-----
-------
7-7-1
77
_Q -----
-- .. . .......
. . ......
. ... .....
....
. ......
7"T
7-2
7
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2
Peak Ground Acceleration (g)
Figure Ia. Probabilistic seismic hazard for horizontal peak
acceleration. 10% chance of being exceeded in 250 -years corresponds
to an annual probability of 0.0042.
10000
1000
100
10
(-118.490, 34.352): CDMGv2, Rock
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 * 1.4 1.5
Peak Ground Acceleration (g)
Figure lb. Probabilistic seismic hazard for horizontal peak
acceleration. 10% chance of being exceeded in 250 years corresponds
to an average return period of 2380 years.
17
1r
i I
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i
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it
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tai;
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7
ifttt
4-
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0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 * 1.4 1.5
Peak Ground Acceleration (g)
Figure lb. Probabilistic seismic hazard for horizontal peak
acceleration. 10% chance of being exceeded in 250 years corresponds
to an average return period of 2380 years.
(-118.490,34.352): CDMGv2, Rock - PGA =1.13 g
p v.45
m
i 0.4
0 0.35
c
0.3
u 02
0 0.15,
0.05
0
0.5
0.45
a
0.4 cu
0.35 0
C,
0.3 0
0.25 q
0.2 0
-0.15 c
0.1 U
0'05 L't
0
Figure 2. Deaggregated hazard at the 10% in 250 years level.
5.5
5
OU
25
E 20
015
10
5
0
0
(-118.490, 34.352): CDMGv2, Rock
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Peak Acceleration (g)
11
2.5
2
1.5
0
.F
n
CL
Lu 0.5
0
-0.5
-1
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Peak Acceleration (g)
Figure 3. Mean magnitude (M bar), distance (D bar), and number of
standard deviations (epsilon bar) from the deaggregated hazard for
the various levels of peak acceleration.
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Peak Acceleration (g)
emote=
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Peak Acceleration (g)
11
2.5
2
1.5
0
.F
n
CL
Lu 0.5
0
-0.5
-1
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Peak Acceleration (g)
Figure 3. Mean magnitude (M bar), distance (D bar), and number of
standard deviations (epsilon bar) from the deaggregated hazard for
the various levels of peak acceleration.
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Peak Acceleration (g)
Seismic Source Parameters for Site: -118.490, 34.352
Parameters common to all faults:
b -value = 0.8
Magnitude recurrence = 1.0 Characteristic magnitude recurrence
Parameters for individual faults:
Santa Susana: ( CDM V' M 1
Slip rates.(mm/yr):
3.0 5.0 7.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.2 0.6 0.2
Fault width (km):
14.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.70
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism:
Reverse
Sierra Madre:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
0.5 3.0 4.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.3 0.4 0.3
Fault width (km):
14.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude: 6.80
Weights for max. magnitude: 1.0
Fault mechanism: Reverse
San Gabriel:
Slip rates (mm/yr): 0.5 1.0 1.5
Weights for slip rates: 0.3 0.4 0.3
Fault width (km): 14.0
Weight for fault width: 1.0
Maximum magnitude: 6.75
Weights for max. -magnitude: 1.0
Fault mechanism: Strike -slip
San Andreas:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
34.0
Weights for slip rates:
1.0
Fault width (km):
12.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
7.25 8.00
Weights for max. magnitude:
0.7 0.3
Fault mechanism: Strike -slip
Palos Verdes:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
1.0 3.0 4.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.2 0.6 0.2
Fault width (km):
12.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.65
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism: Strike -slip
Elsinore:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
3.0 5.0 7.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.25 0.5 0.25
Fault width (km):
12.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.55
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism: Strike -slip
Whittier:
Slip rates (mm/yr): 2.0 2.5 3.0
Weights for slip rates: 0.3 0.4 0.3
Fault width (km):
13.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.55
Weights for max: magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism:
Reverse
Newport -Inglewood:
1.0
Slip rates (mm/yr):
0.1 0.8
Weights for slip rates:
0.3 0.5
Fault width (km):
14.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.80
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism:
Strike -slip
Santa Monica:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
0.4 2.5
Weights for slip rates:
0.3 0.4
Fault width (km):
14.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.45
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
1.0
0.2
4.0
0.3
Fault mechanism: Reverse/Oblique
Malibu Coast:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
1.0 2.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.4 0.4
Fault width (km):
13.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.45
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
3.0
0.2
Fault mechanism: Reverse/Oblique
Raymond:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
0.2
1.0 2.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.3
0.4 0.3
Fault width (km):
14.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.35
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism:
Reverse/Oblique
Oakridge:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
0.2
1.0 2.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.3
0.4 0.3
Fault width (km):
14.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.35
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism:
Reverse/Oblique
San Cayetano:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
0.9
5.0 9.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.1
0.8 0.1
Fault width (km):
14.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude:
6.65
Weights for max. magnitude:
1.0
Fault mechanism:
Reverse
Ynez:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
0.3
0.7 1.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.25
0.5 0.25
Fault width (km): 14.0
Weight for fault width: 1.0
Maximum magnitude: 6.75
Weights for max. magnitude: 1.0
Fault mechanism: Strike -slip
White Wolf:
Slip rates (mm/yr):
3.0 5.5 8.0
Weights for slip rates:
0.3 0.4 0.3
Fault width (km):
18.0
Weight for fault width:
1.0
Maximum magnitude: 7.25
Weights for max. magnitude: 1.0
Fault mechanism: Reverse