Quantifying nuisance ground motion thresholds for induced earthquakes

Earthquake Spectra
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Hazards from induced earthquakes are a growing concern with a need for effective management. One aspect of that concern is the “nuisance” from unexpected ground motions, which have the potential to cause public alarm and discontent. In this article, we borrow earthquake engineering concepts to quantify the chance of building damage states and adapt them to quantify felt thresholds for induced earthquakes in the Central and Eastern United States. We compare binary data of felt or not-felt reports from the “Did You Feel It” database with ShakeMap ground motion intensity measures (IM) for ∼360 earthquakes. We use a Monte Carlo logistic regression to discern the likelihood of perceiving various degrees of felt intensity, given a particular IM. These best-fit nuisance functions are reported in this article and are readily transferable. Of the shaking types considered, we find that peak ground velocity tends to be the best predictor of a felt earthquake. We also find that felt thresholds tended to decrease with increasing earthquake magnitude, after M ∼3.9. We interpret this effect as related to the duration of the event, where events smaller than M 3.9 are perceived as “impulsive” to the human senses. Improved quantification of the nuisance from induced earthquake ground motions could be utilized in management of the public perception of their causal operations. Although aimed at anthropogenic earthquakes, thresholds we derive could be useful in other realms, such as establishing best practices and protocols for earthquake early warning.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Quantifying nuisance ground motion thresholds for induced earthquakes
Series title Earthquake Spectra
DOI 10.1177/8755293020988025
Volume 37
Issue 2
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher Sage Publications
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description 14 p.
First page 789
Last page 802
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details