When color theory meets seismology: Principled visualization design for seismic hazard maps 

Author(s):  
Max Schneider ◽  
Fabrice Cotton

<p>Probabilistic seismic hazard estimates are a key ingredient of earthquake risk mitigation strategies and are usually communicated through seismic hazard maps. Though evidence exists that visual design properties are key for effective communication using such maps, few authors describe their approach in visualizing seismic hazard. Current maps use colors, legends and data classification schemes which are suboptimal, from the visualization perspective. As such, they have the danger of miscommunicating seismic hazard. We present a set of principles regarding color choice, legend design, and classification of the continuous hazard estimate for categorical mapping. These principles are based on (1) communication goals for the seismic hazard phenomenon, (2) empirically-validated recommendations from the visualization literature and (3) other best practices in map design. We discuss the process of redesigning the German seismic hazard map using these principles. A set of prototype maps adhering to these principles are presented. We also describe ongoing efforts to test the redesigned maps, as well as how to use them to further communicate the uncertainty around probabilistic hazard estimates.</p>

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1039-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erol Kalkan ◽  
Chris J. Wills ◽  
David M. Branum

In this paper, we have combined the U.S. Geological Survey's National Seismic Hazard Maps model with the California geologic map showing 17 generalized geologic units that can be defined by their VS30. We regrouped these units into seven VS30 values and calculated a probabilistic seismic hazard map for the entire state for each VS30 value. By merging seismic hazard maps based on the seven different VS30 values, a suite of seismic hazard maps was computed for 0.2 and 1.0 s spectral ordinates at 2% probability of exceedance (PE) in 50 years. The improved hazards maps explicitly incorporate the site effects and their spatial variability on ground motion estimates. The spectral acceleration (SA) at 1.0 s map of seismic shaking potential for California has now been published as California Geological Survey Map Sheet 48.


2009 ◽  
Vol 99 (2A) ◽  
pp. 585-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Akinci ◽  
F. Galadini ◽  
D. Pantosti ◽  
M. Petersen ◽  
L. Malagnini ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. W. Musson ◽  
P. W. Winter

2006 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. H. Cramer ◽  
J. S. Gomberg ◽  
E. S. Schweig ◽  
B. A. Waldron ◽  
K. Tucker

Author(s):  
Chris H. Cramer ◽  
Joan S. Gomberg ◽  
Eugene S. Schweig ◽  
Brian A. Waldron ◽  
Kathleen Tucker

2021 ◽  
Vol 331 ◽  
pp. 07009
Author(s):  
I Wayan Sengara ◽  
Fahmi Aldiamar

General assessment on earthquake resistance spectral design load criteria for buildings and infrastructures associated with the recent development of Indonesian seismic hazard maps is presented in this paper. The assessment is directed toward general identification of their associated risks for input to policy formulation of disaster risk reduction management plans or strategies. Indonesian seismic hazard maps haveevolved for the last three decades. This is originated from an early development map before 2002, where a seismic hazard map particularly for buildings (1983) was developed adopting the early process of probabilisticseismic hazard analysis (PSHA) for 200 years return period (RP). Further, a 2002 version seismic hazard maphas been developed in the form of peak ground acceleration (PGA) for 500 years RP. Spectral design criteriafor buildings and bridges have been later developed by updating PSHA involving new seismic source zones, ground-motion predictive equations, and various earthquake RP, accommodating seismic codes for buildings(2500 years RP), for bridges (1000 years RP) and dams involving various RP up to 10,000 years RP correspond to its design level. The spectral accelerations also have included PGA, short (0.2s) period, and 1-s period. The latest update hazard maps (2017) have been developed and adopted for seismic codes for buildings, bridges, dams, and other related infrastructures. The increase in spectral design load criteria is identified to assess the general risk of existing constructions, considering the results of several recent building damage surveys. Adoption of new seismic codes based on the most recent hazard maps along with its enforcement is expected to contribute to seismic disaster risk reduction in Indonesia.


2004 ◽  
Vol 390 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 159-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
James G. Tanner ◽  
Kaye M. Shedlock

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Molly Gallahue ◽  
Leah Salditch ◽  
Madeleine Lucas ◽  
James Neely ◽  
Susan Hough ◽  
...  

<div> <p>Probabilistic seismic hazard assessments forecast levels of earthquake shaking that should be exceeded with only a certain probability over a given period of time are important for earthquake hazard mitigation. These rely on assumptions about when and where earthquakes will occur, their size, and the resulting shaking as a function of distance as described by ground-motion models (GMMs) that cover broad geologic regions. Seismic hazard maps are used to develop building codes.</p> </div><div> <p>To explore the robustness of maps’ shaking forecasts, we consider how maps hindcast past shaking. We have compiled the California Historical Intensity Mapping Project (CHIMP) dataset of the maximum observed seismic intensity of shaking from the largest Californian earthquakes over the past 162 years. Previous comparisons between the maps for a constant V<sub>S30</sub> (shear-wave velcoity in the top 30 m of soil) of 760 m/s and CHIMP based on several metrics suggested that current maps overpredict shaking.</p> <p>The differences between the V<sub>S30</sub> at the CHIMP sites and the reference value of 760 m/s could amplify or deamplify the ground motions relative to the mapped values. We evaluate whether the V<sub>S30 </sub>at the CHIMP sites could cause a possible bias in the models. By comparison with the intensity data in CHIMP, we find that using site-specific V<sub>S30</sub> does not improve map performance, because the site corrections cause only minor differences from the original 2018 USGS hazard maps at the short periods (high frequencies) relevant to peak ground acceleration and hence MMI. The minimal differences reflect the fact that the nonlinear deamplification due to increased soil damping largely offsets the linear amplification due to low V<sub>S30</sub>. The net effects will be larger for longer periods relevant to tall buildings, where net amplification occurs. </p> <div> <p>Possible reasons for this discrepancy include limitations of the dataset, a bias in the hazard models, an over-estimation of the aleatory variability of the ground motion or that seismicity throughout the historical period has been lower than the long-term average, perhaps by chance due to the variability of earthquake recurrence. Resolving this discrepancy, which is also observed in Italy and Japan, could improve the performance of seismic hazard maps and thus earthquake safety for California and, by extension, worldwide. We also explore whether new nonergodic GMMs, with reduced aleatory variability, perform better than presently used ergodic GMMs compared to historical data.</p> </div> </div>


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