Geodesy- and geology-based slip-rate models for the Western United States (excluding California) national seismic hazard maps

Open-File Report 2013-1293
By: , and 

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Abstract

The 2014 National Seismic Hazard Maps for the conterminous United States incorporate additional uncertainty in fault slip-rate parameter that controls the earthquake-activity rates than was applied in previous versions of the hazard maps. This additional uncertainty is accounted for by new geodesy- and geology-based slip-rate models for the Western United States. Models that were considered include an updated geologic model based on expert opinion and four combined inversion models informed by both geologic and geodetic input. The two block models considered indicate significantly higher slip rates than the expert opinion and the two fault-based combined inversion models. For the hazard maps, we apply 20 percent weight with equal weighting for the two fault-based models. Off-fault geodetic-based models were not considered in this version of the maps. Resulting changes to the hazard maps are generally less than 0.05 g (acceleration of gravity). Future research will improve the maps and interpret differences between the new models.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Geodesy- and geology-based slip-rate models for the Western United States (excluding California) national seismic hazard maps
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2013-1293
DOI 10.3133/ofr20131293
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description vi, 80 p.
Country United States
State Arizona;Colorado;Idaho;Montana;New Mexico;Nevada;Oregon;Utah;Washington;Wyoming
Online Only (Y/N) Y
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