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One simple way of accounting for site conditions in calculating seismic hazards is to use the shear-wave velocity in the shallow subsurface to classify materials. The average shear-wave velocity to 30 m ( V 30s) has been used to develop site categories that can be used for modifying a calculated ground motion to account for site conditions. We have prepared a site-category map of California by first classifying the geologic units shown on 1:250,000 scale geologic maps. Our classification of geologic units is based on V 30s measured in 556 profiles and geological similarities between units for which we have V s data and the vast majority of units for which we have no data. We then digitized the geologic boundaries from those maps that separated units with different site classifications. V s data for California shows that several widespread geologic units have ranges of V 30s values that cross the boundaries between NEHRP-UBC site categories. The Franciscan Complex has V 30s values across UBC categories B and C with a mean value near the boundary between those two categories. Older alluvium and late Tertiary bedrock have V 30s values that range from about 300 to about 450 m/sec, across the boundary between categories C and D. To accommodate these units we have created intermediate categories, which we informally call BC and CD. Geologic units that have, or are interpreted to have, V 30s values near the boundary of the UBC categories are placed in these intermediate units. In testing our map against the available V 30s measurements, we have found that 74% of the measured V 30s values fall within the range assigned to the V s category where they fall on the map. This ratio is quite good considering the inherent problems in plotting site-specific data on a regional map and the variability of physical properties in geologic units. We have also calculated the mean and distribution of V 30s for each of our map units and prepared composite profiles, showing the variation of V s in the upper 100 m from the available V s data. These data show that the map categories that we have defined based on geologic units have different V s properties that can be taken into account in calculating seismic hazards.
Chris J. Wills (Fri,) studied this question.