Peak ground acceleration

Peak ground acceleration (PGA) is a measure of earthquake acceleration on the ground and an important input parameter for earthquake engineering, also known as the design basis earthquake ground motion (DBEGM)[1]

Unlike the Richter and moment magnitude scales, it is not a measure of the total energy (magnitude, or size) of an earthquake, but rather of how hard the earth shakes in a given geographic area (the intensity). The Mercalli intensity scale uses personal reports and observations to measure earthquake intensity but PGA is measured by instruments, such as accelerographs, and it generally correlates well with the Mercalli scale.[2] See also seismic scale.

The peak horizontal acceleration (PHA) is the most commonly used type of ground acceleration in engineering applications, and is used to set building codes and design hazard risks. In an earthquake, damage to buildings and infrastructure is related more closely to ground motion, rather than the magnitude of the earthquake. For moderate earthquakes, PGA is the best determinate of damage; in severe earthquakes, damage is more often correlated with peak ground velocity.[2]

Contents

Geophysics

Earthquake energy is dispersed in waves from the epicentre, causing ground movement horizontally (in two directions) and vertically. PGA records the acceleration (rate of change of speed) of these movements, while peak ground velocity is the greatest speed (rate of movement) reached by the ground, and peak displacement is the distance moved. [3][4] These values vary in different earthquakes, and in differing sites within one earthquake event, depending on a number of factors. These include the length of the fault, magnitude, the depth of the quake, the distance from the epicentre, the duration (length of the shake cycle), and the geology of the ground (subsurface). Shallow-focused earthquakes generate stronger shaking (acceleration) than intermediate and deep quakes, since the energy is released closer to the surface.[5]

Peak ground acceleration can be expressed in g (the acceleration due to Earth's gravity, equivalent to g-force) as either a decimal or percentage; in m/s2 (1 g = 9.81 m/s2);[3] or in Gal, where 1 Gal is equal to 0.01 m/s² (1 g = 981 Gal).

The ground type can significantly influence ground acceleration, so PGA values can display extreme variability over distances of a few kilometers, particularly with moderate to large earthquakes.[6] The varying PGA results from an earthquake can be displayed on a shake map.[7] Due to the complex conditions affecting PGA, earthquakes of similar magnitude can offer disparate results, with many moderate magnitude earthquakes generating significantly larger PGA values than larger magnitude quakes.

During an earthquake, ground acceleration is measured in three directions: vertically (V or UD, for up-down) and two perpendicular horizontal directions (H1 and H2), often north-south (NS) and east-west (EW). The peak acceleration in each of these directions is recorded, with the highest individual value often reported. Alternatively, a combined value for a given station can be noted. The peak horizontal ground acceleration (PHA or PHGA) can reached by selecting the higher individual recording, taking the mean of the two values, or calculating a vector sum of the two components. A three-component value can also be reached, by taking the vertical component into consideration also.

In seismic engineering, the effective peak acceleration (EPA) is often used, which tends to be ⅔ – ¾ the PGA.

Seismic risk and engineering

Study of geographic areas combined with an assessment of historical earthquakes allows geologists to determine seismic risk and to create seismic hazard maps, which show the likely PGA values to be experienced in a region during an earthquake, with a probability of exceedance (PE). Seismic engineers and government planning departments use these values to determine the appropriate earthquake loading for buildings in each zone, with key identified structures (such as hospitals, bridges, power plants) needing to survive the maximum considered event (MCE).

Damage to buildings is related to both peak ground velocity and PGA, and the duration of the earthquake – the longer high-level shaking persists, the greater the likelihood of damage.

Comparison of instrumental and felt intensity

Peak ground acceleration provides a measurement of instrumental intensity, that is, ground shaking recorded by seismic instruments. Other intensity scales measure felt intensity, based on eyewitness reports, felt shaking, and observed damage. There is correlation between these scales, but not always absolute agreement since experiences and damage can be affected by many other factors, including the quality of earthquake engineering.

Generally speaking,

Correlation with the Mercalli scale

The United States Geological Survey developed an Instrumental Intensity scale which maps peak ground acceleration and peak ground velocity on an intensity scale similar to the felt Mercalli scale. These values are used to create shake maps by seismologists around the world.

Instrumental
Intensity		 Acceleration
(g)		 Velocity
(cm/s)		 Perceived Shaking Potential Damage
I < 0.0017 < 0.1 Not Felt None
II-III 0.0017 - 0.014 0.1 - 1.1 Weak None
IV 0.014 - 0.039 1.1 - 3.4 Light None
V 0.039 - 0.092 3.4 - 8.1 Moderate Very light
VI 0.092 - 0.18 8.1 - 16 Strong Light
VII 0.18 - 0.34 16 - 31 Very Strong Moderate
VIII 0.34 - 0.65 31 - 60 Severe Moderate to Heavy
IX 0.65 - 1.24 60 - 116 Violent Heavy
X+ > 1.24 > 116 Extreme Very Heavy

Other intensity scales

In the 7-class Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale, the highest intensity earthquake, Shindo 7, generally covers accelerations greater than 4 m/s² (0.41 g).

PGA hazard risks worldwide

In India, areas with expected PGA values higher than 0.36g are classed as "Zone 5", or "Very High Damage Risk Zone".

Notable earthquakes

PGA
single direction
(max recorded)		 PGA
vector sum (H1, H2, V)
(max recorded)		 Mag Depth Fatalities Earthquake
2.7g[8] 2.99 g[9][10] 9.0 30 km [11] >15000 [12] 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2.2g[13][14] 6.3[13] 5 km 181 February 2011 Christchurch earthquake
2.13g[13][15] 6.4 6 km 1 June 2011 Christchurch earthquake
4.36g[16] 6.9/7.2 8 km 12 2008 Iwate-Miyagi Nairiku earthquake
1.7g[17] 6.7 19 km 57 1994 California earthquake
1.47g [18] 7.1 42km[19] 4 April 2011 Miyagi earthquake
1.26g[20][21] 7.1 10 km 0 2010 Canterbury earthquake
1.01g[22] 6.6 10 km 11 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake
1.01g[23] 7.3 8 km 2,415 1999 Jiji earthquake
1.0g[24] 5.8 8 km 0 December 2011 Christchurch Xmas Quakes
0.8g 6.8 16 km 6,434 1995 Kobe earthquake
0.78g[25] 8.8 23 km [26] 521 2010 Chile earthquake
0.6g[27] 6.0 10 km 143 1999 Athens earthquake
0.51g[28] 6.4 612 2005 Zarand earthquake
0.5g[17] 7.0 13 km 92,000-316,000 2010 Haiti earthquake
0.438g[29] 7.7 44 km 27 1978 Miyagi earthquake (Sendai)
0.367g[30] 5.2 1 km 9 2011 Lorca earthquake
0.25 - 0.3g[31] 9.5 33 km 1,655 [32] 1960 Valdivia earthquake
0.24g[33] 6.4 628 2004 Morocco earthquake
0.18g[34] 9.2 23 km 143 1964 Alaska earthquake|}

See also

References

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Bibliography