Liquefaction Hazard Maps for Three Earthquake Scenarios for the Communities of San Jose, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale, Northern Santa Clara County, California

Holzer, Thomas L.; Noce, Thomas E.; Bennett, Michael J.

Abstract:

Maps showing the probability of surface manifestations of liquefaction in the northern Santa Clara Valley were prepared with liquefaction probability curves. The area includes the communities of San Jose, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Gatos Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale. The probability curves were based on complementary cumulative frequency distributions of the liquefaction potential index (LPI) for surficial geologic units in the study area. LPI values were computed with extensive cone penetration test soundings. Maps were developed for three earthquake scenarios, an M7.8 on the San Andreas Fault comparable to the 1906 event, an M6.7 on the Hayward Fault comparable to the 1868 event, and an M6.9 on the Calaveras Fault. Ground motions were estimated with the Boore and Atkinson (2008) attenuation relation. Liquefaction is predicted for all three events in young Holocene levee deposits along the major creeks. Liquefaction probabilities are highest for the M7.8 earthquake, ranging from 0.33 to 0.37 if a 1.5-m deep water table is assumed, and 0.10 to 0.14 if a 5-m deep water table is assumed. Liquefaction probabilities of the other surficial geologic units are less than 0.05. Probabilities for the scenario earthquakes are generally consistent with observations during historical earthquakes.

Genre:

USGS Numbered Series

ProdID:

86205

Citation Author:

Holzer, Thomas L.; Noce, Thomas E.; Bennett, Michael J.

Citation Contributing Office:

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program

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Citation Edition:

Version 1.0

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Citation Language:

ENGLISH

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Citation LatN:

037.487943

Citation LatS:

037.246723

Citation LonE:

-121.746

Citation LonW:

-122.206

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Citation Phsyical Description:

Report: iii, 29 p.; 3 Maps: each 44 x 34 inches; GIS Files; Google Earth View; CPT Data

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Citation Publisher:

Geological Survey (U.S.)

Citation Series:

Open-File Report

Citation Series Code:

OFR

Citation Series Number:

2008-1270

Citation Search Results Text:

Liquefaction Hazard Maps for Three Earthquake Scenarios for the Communities of San Jose, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Saratoga, and Sunnyvale, Northern Santa Clara County, California; 2008; OFR; 2008-1270; Holzer, Thomas L.; Noce, Thomas E.; Bennett, Michael J.