Site response models based on geometric parameters for southern California sedimentary basins

Earthquake Spectra
By: , and 

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Abstract

Site response in sedimentary basins is influenced by complex three-dimensional (3D) features, including trapping of seismic waves, focusing of seismic energy and basin resonance. Current ground motion models (GMMs) incorporate basin effects using one-dimensional parameters like VS30 and shear wave velocity isosurface depths, which are limited in capturing lateral and 3D effects. To address these limitations, we develop seismic site response models based on novel parameters that represent multi-dimensional properties of the Los Angeles Basin (LAB) geometry and shear wave velocity. We define a basin shape for the LAB using depth to subsurface geologic interfaces associated with the oldest sedimentary deposits (depth to a particular shear wave velocity horizon, i.e., 1.5 km/s - z1.5) and the depth to the crystalline basement (zcb) which are determined using geologic cross sections and community seismic velocity model profiles. We explore a suite of geometric descriptors computed for the LAB and southern California, from which three parameters with the greatest predictive potential are selected and evaluated using empirical ground motion residual analyses in combination with the Boore et al. GMM. The results demonstrate that the zonal heterogeneity index (mathematical equation), standard deviation of the absolute difference between z1.5 and zcb (mathematical equation) and standard deviation of zcb (mathematical equation) each provide a reduction in site-to-site variability (ϕS2S) of empirical GMMs. The reduction in ϕS2S is period-dependent, with average decreases of 3%, 26% and 6% for mathematical equationmathematical equation, and mathematical equation, respectively. Although these reductions are modest from an engineering application perspective, they are statistically significant, underscoring the inherent difficulty in fully characterising complex basin effects. Collectively, these findings indicate that the inclusion of basin-specific geometric parameters yields measurable, albeit incremental, improvements in site response prediction and establishes a framework for the progressive refinement of seismic hazard characterisation within sedimentary basins.

Suggested Citation

Shams, R., Nweke, C.C., Parker, G.A., 2026, Site response models based on geometric parameters for southern California sedimentary basins: Earthquake Spectra, v. 42, no. 1, e70027, 27 p., https://doi.org/10.1002/esp4.70027.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Site response models based on geometric parameters for southern California sedimentary basins
Series title Earthquake Spectra
DOI 10.1002/esp4.70027
Volume 42
Issue 1
Year Published 2026
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Earthquake Science Center
Description e70027, 27 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial southern California
Additional publication details