USGS Open-File Report 2014–1025–B: Earthquake Catalog for Estimation of Maximum Earthquake Magnitude, Central and Eastern United States: Part B, Historical Earthquakes

Earthquake Catalog for Estimation of Maximum Earthquake Magnitude, Central and Eastern United States: Part B, Historical Earthquakes

By Russell L. Wheeler

Abstract

Computation of probabilistic earthquake hazard requires an estimate of Mmax: the moment magnitude of the largest earthquake that is thought to be possible within a specified geographic region. The region specified in this report is the Central and Eastern United States and adjacent Canada. Parts A and B of this report describe the construction of a global catalog of moderate to large earthquakes that occurred worldwide in tectonic analogs of the Central and Eastern United States. Examination of histograms of the magnitudes of these earthquakes allows estimation of Central and Eastern United States Mmax. The catalog and Mmax estimates derived from it are used in the 2014 edition of the U.S. Geological Survey national seismic-hazard maps. Part A deals with prehistoric earthquakes, and this part deals with historical events.

First posted October 31, 2014

Report PDF (617 kB)

Table 8 XLSX (54.9 kB)

Open-File Report 2014–1025–A (Part A)

For additional information contact:
Director, Geologic Hazards Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, MS–966
Denver, CO 80225-0046
http://geohazards.cr.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Wheeler, R.L., 2014, Earthquake catalog for estimation of maximum earthquake magnitude, Central and Eastern United States—Part B, Historical Earthquakes: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1025–B, 30 p., https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141025B.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)

Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Earthquake Source Catalogs

Compilation Methods

Magnitude Conversion

Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References Cited