The USGS National crustal model for seismic hazard studies: 2019 update

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Abstract

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Crustal Model (NCM) is being developed to assist in the modeling of seismic hazards across the conterminous United States, specifically by improving estimates of site response. The NCM is composed of geophysical profiles, extending from the Earth’s surface into the upper mantle, constructed from 5 primary elements: 1) depth to bedrock and basement; 2) 3D geologic framework; 3) petrologic and mineral physics database; 4) 3D temperature model; and 5) calibration of a porosity and attenuation model. Parameters needed to estimate site response for existing ground motion models (GMMs), including the time-averaged velocity in the upper 30 meters (VS30) and the depths to 1.0 and 2.5 km/s shear-wave velocity (Z1.0 and Z2.5), can be extracted from the NCM. As GMMs develop, other metrics could also be extracted or derived from the NCM such as fundamental frequency, a fully frequency-dependent site response function, or 3D geophysical volumes for wavefield simulations. Application of the NCM may also benefit other aspects of seismic hazard analysis including better accounting for path-dependent attenuation and geometric spreading and more accurate estimation of earthquake source properties such as hypocentral location and stress drop.
Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title The USGS National crustal model for seismic hazard studies: 2019 update
Year Published 2019
Language English
Publisher Minnesota Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center, Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description 2 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Geologic Mapping Forum 2019 Abstracts
First page 10
Last page 11
Conference Title Geologic Mapping Forum
Conference Location Minneapolils, MN
Conference Date April 10-12, 2019
Country United States
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