7 Geological Hazards

Tuesday, 1 April 2003
8:20 AM - 12:05 PM

DPS: AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM FOR ANALYSIS OF MEXICAN ISOSEISMAL MAPS

Paper number: 7-9
Program: SYMPOSIA SESSIONS
Time: 10:40 AM – 11:00 AM

Authors

Abstract

Due to the high level of seismicity and a constant growing of populated areas in Mexico, it has been necessary to develop tools that allow a basic analysis of the effects due to past great magnitude seismic events affecting large regions in order to prepare and improve mitigation programs.

Through an interactive PC-platform program, 52 isoseismal maps, based on MMI scale, are presented corresponding to the period 1845-1999. These maps can be displayed, in an individual or combined presentation, including the possibility to generate a global map representing the distribution of maxima intensities throughout the country, for the period already mentioned.

Although the number of great magnitude earthquaked occurred between 1845 and 1999 is larger than 52, it is considered that their epicentral distribution is representative of the main seismogenic zones in Mexico. Therefore, the program can be used to estimate the effects of possible similar earthquakes in a specific zone and to compare estimations of maximum ground motion. The program also can be used as a didactic tool at different instruction levels.