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A Global Hybrid Vs30 Map with a Topographic-Slope-Based Default and Regional Map Insets

Dates

Publication Date
Start Date
2007
End Date
2019

Citation

Heath, D.C., Wald, D.J., Worden, C.B., Thompson, E.M., and Smoczyk, G.M., 2020, A Global Hybrid Vs30 Map with a Topographic-Slope-Based Default and Regional Map Insets: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P96HFVXM.

Summary

Time-averaged shear wave velocity over the upper 30 meters of the earth's surface (Vs30) is a key parameter for estimating ground motion amplification as both a predictive and diagnostic tool for earthquake hazards. A first-order approximation of Vs30 is commonly obtained via a topographic slope-based or terrain proxy due to the widely available nature of digital elevation models. However, better-constrained Vs30 maps have been developed in many regions. Such maps preferentially employ various combinations of Vs30 measurements, higher-resolution slope, lithologic, geologic, geomorphic, and other proxies, and often utilize refined interpolation schemes. We develop a new hybrid global Vs30 map database that defaults to the global slope-based [...]

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global_vs30.grd
“NetCDF 4 with the COARDS conventions, created by GMT version 5”
551.53 MB application/unknown

Purpose

Predicting ground motion amplification relies heavily on knowledge of site-specific response to earthquake ground motions. Site amplification is strongly correlated with the local shear wave velocity in the upper 30 meters of the earth’s surface, making these data an important input for applications such as ShakeMap and probabilistic seismic hazard maps. Vs30 data are critical to employing ground motion prediction equations for estimating shaking, designing infrastructure adherent to the proper building codes, and other seismic site characterization applications. We provide a blended mosaic of Vs30 values that reflects the existence of more accurate data-constrained maps in regions where they are open-available, but default to the slope-based proxy elsewhere. Thus, these maps are available for any regional purpose where approximate site amplification is better than not considering site amplification, but where detailed site conditions data are either not available or do not cover the entire region of interest.

Additional Information

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DOI https://www.sciencebase.gov/vocab/category/item/identifier doi:10.5066/P96HFVXM

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