The relationship between seismic quality factor and peak ground acceleration, a case study: M=4.3, 17.01.2015 Eskişehir Earthquake

Year 2021, Volume: 166 Issue: 166, 127 - 144, 15.12.2021

Muammer Tün

https://doi.org/10.19111/bulletinofmre.841785

Abstract

Seismic wave propagation in subsurface media endures from absorption, which can be evaluated by the seismic quality factor Q (Q-factor). Absorption is frequency-dependent. Lower frequencies are absorbed less, while higher frequencies are absorbed more. Therefore, the Q Factor should be determined in the frequency domain. Q-factor is determined by the slope of the natural logarithm of the output-input signals ratio. Surface waves (Rayleigh and Love waves) are particularly important, as they are the more destructive phases of an earthquake. This study was focused on the Q-factor computation of the surface waves and demonstrated that the determination of the Q-factor is not affected from the dispersive properties of the surface waves. Data were obtained from surface wave signals of earthquake recorded at Eskişehir Technical University Seismic Network - EstuNet. The obtained Q-factor values represent the average values of the rocks that the waves cross between the input and output stations. Finally, the Q-factor map to the Peak Ground Acceleration (PGA) map using the M=4.3, 17.01.2015 Eskişehir earthquake data was compared. These records, show the arrival time of the earthquake from the epicenter to the stations of the seismic waves, and the peak ground acceleration values. In this study, local site effects of EstuNet accelerometric stations have been calculated by using the Standard Spectral Ratio (SSR) method. It is concluded that an inverse relationship exists between the computed Q-factor and measured PGA values. Therefore, the sites where the Q factor is very low should be analyzed in more detail in ground-based earthquake risk assessments.

Keywords

Quality Seismic Factor, EstuNet Seismic Network, Strong Ground Motion, Peak Ground Acceleration, Eskişehir Graben.

Supporting Institution

Anadolu University Research Fund

Project Number

1705F255

Thanks

This work was supported by the Anadolu University Research Fund under Project Numbers 1705F255. I would like to thank Prof. Dr. Berkan ECEVİTOĞLU (Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir) for sharing with us his experience related to seismic interpretation.

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