St. Louis Area Earthquake Hazards Mapping Project: Seismic and Liquefaction Hazard Maps

Research Article| November 09, 2016 St. Louis Area Earthquake Hazards Mapping Project: Seismic and Liquefaction Hazard Maps Chris H. Cramer; Chris H. Cramer aCenter for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152‐3050 U.S.A.ccramer@memphis.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert A. Bauer; Robert A. Bauer bIllinois State Geological Survey, Champlaign, Illinois 61820 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jae‐won Chung; Jae‐won Chung cMissouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar J. David Rogers; J. David Rogers cMissouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Larry Pierce; Larry Pierce dMissouri Geological Survey, Rolla, Missouri 65402 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Vicki Voigt; Vicki Voigt dMissouri Geological Survey, Rolla, Missouri 65402 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brad Mitchell; Brad Mitchell dMissouri Geological Survey, Rolla, Missouri 65402 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David Gaunt; David Gaunt dMissouri Geological Survey, Rolla, Missouri 65402 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert A. Williams; Robert A. Williams eU.S. Geological Survey, Golden, Colorado 80401 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar David Hoffman; David Hoffman cMissouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri 65409 U.S.A. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gregory L. Hempen; Gregory L. Hempen fSt. Louis, Missouri Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Phyllis J. Steckel; Phyllis J. Steckel gEarthquake Insights LLC, Washington, Missouri 63090 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Oliver S. Boyd; Oliver S. Boyd eU.S. Geological Survey, Golden, Colorado 80401 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Connor M. Watkins; Connor M. Watkins eU.S. Geological Survey, Golden, Colorado 80401 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kathleen Tucker; Kathleen Tucker aCenter for Earthquake Research and Information, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee 38152‐3050 U.S.A.ccramer@memphis.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Natasha S. McCallister Natasha S. McCallister eU.S. Geological Survey, Golden, Colorado 80401 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Seismological Research Letters (2017) 88 (1): 206–223. https://doi.org/10.1785/0220160028 Article history first online: 14 Jul 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Chris H. Cramer, Robert A. Bauer, Jae‐won Chung, J. David Rogers, Larry Pierce, Vicki Voigt, Brad Mitchell, David Gaunt, Robert A. Williams, David Hoffman, Gregory L. Hempen, Phyllis J. Steckel, Oliver S. Boyd, Connor M. Watkins, Kathleen Tucker, Natasha S. McCallister; St. Louis Area Earthquake Hazards Mapping Project: Seismic and Liquefaction Hazard Maps. Seismological Research Letters 2016;; 88 (1): 206–223. doi: https://doi.org/10.1785/0220160028 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietySeismological Research Letters Search Advanced Search ABSTRACT We present probabilistic and deterministic seismic and liquefaction hazard maps for the densely populated St. Louis metropolitan area that account for the expected effects of surficial geology on earthquake ground shaking. Hazard calculations were based on a map grid of 0.005°, or about every 500 m, and are thus higher in resolution than any earlier studies. To estimate ground motions at the surface of the model (e.g., site amplification), we used a new detailed near‐surface shear‐wave velocity model in a 1D equivalent‐linear response analysis. When compared with the 2014 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Seismic Hazard Model, which uses a uniform firm‐rock‐site condition, the new probabilistic seismic‐hazard estimates document much more variability. Hazard levels for upland sites (consisting of bedrock and weathered bedrock overlain by loess‐covered till and drift deposits), show up to twice the ground‐motion values for peak ground acceleration (PGA), and similar ground‐motion values for 1.0 s spectral acceleration (SA). Probabilistic ground‐motion levels for lowland alluvial floodplain sites (generally the 20–40‐m‐thick modern Mississippi and Missouri River floodplain deposits overlying bedrock) exhibit up to twice the ground‐motion levels for PGA, and up to three times the ground‐motion levels for 1.0 s SA. Liquefaction probability curves were developed from available standard penetration test data assuming typical lowland and upland water table levels. A simplified liquefaction hazard map was created from the 5%‐in‐50‐year probabilistic ground‐shaking model. The liquefaction hazard ranges from low (<40% of area expected to liquefy) in the uplands to severe (>60% of area expected to liquefy) in the lowlands. Because many transportation routes, power and gas transmission lines, and population centers exist in or on the highly susceptible lowland alluvium, these areas in the St. Louis region are at significant potential risk from seismically induced liquefaction and associated ground deformation. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.