Living on an Active Earth

Living on an Active Earth
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 431
Release: 2003-09-22
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309065623

The destructive force of earthquakes has stimulated human inquiry since ancient times, yet the scientific study of earthquakes is a surprisingly recent endeavor. Instrumental recordings of earthquakes were not made until the second half of the 19th century, and the primary mechanism for generating seismic waves was not identified until the beginning of the 20th century. From this recent start, a range of laboratory, field, and theoretical investigations have developed into a vigorous new discipline: the science of earthquakes. As a basic science, it provides a comprehensive understanding of earthquake behavior and related phenomena in the Earth and other terrestrial planets. As an applied science, it provides a knowledge base of great practical value for a global society whose infrastructure is built on the Earth's active crust. This book describes the growth and origins of earthquake science and identifies research and data collection efforts that will strengthen the scientific and social contributions of this exciting new discipline.

Seismic Strong Motion Synthetics

Seismic Strong Motion Synthetics
Author: Bruce Bolt
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 337
Release: 2012-12-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0323155472

Seismic Strong Motion Synthetics describes the methods of modeling the production of strong seismic ground motions by realistic seismic sources. Organized into six chapters, this book highlights the different ways of numerical treatment and the available computationally rapid and conceptually simple algorithms. The introductory chapter describes the intense bursts of radiation emitted during sudden changes in the rupture-front velocity occurring when the zone of slip reaches regions of differing stress drop. This topic is followed by an overview of the observations of seismic waves close to the fault and a discussion on the application of kinematic dislocation models to the synthesis of strong ground motion, such as the representation theorem and methods of theoretical and semi-empirical synthesis. A chapter deals with dynamic shear cracks with an emphasis on numerical modeling of complete three-dimensional, spontaneous rupture processes not only in an infinite, homogeneous medium but also in a homogeneous half-space or horizontally layered medium. This book also describes a tool capable of synthesizing strong motion records from a basic understanding of fault mechanics and seismic-wave propagation in the earth. The text further examines the calculation of ground motions at locations near to large earthquakes. The concluding chapter explores the methods of computing the motions that result from elastic waves propagating through complex structures. This book is an advanced text on numerical modeling for use in graduate and upper-division courses in physics, geophysics, and earthquake engineering.

Tectonics of Strike-slip Restraining and Releasing Bends

Tectonics of Strike-slip Restraining and Releasing Bends
Author: W. D. Cunningham
Publisher: Geological Society of London
Total Pages: 496
Release: 2007
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781862392380

This volume addresses the tectonic complexity and diversity of strike-slip restraining and releasing bends with 18 contributions divided into four thematic sections: a topical review of fault bends and their global distribution; bends, sedimentary basins and earthquake hazards; restraining bends, transpressional deformation and basement controls on development; releasing bends, transtensional deformation and fluid flow.

Basic Earthquake Engineering

Basic Earthquake Engineering
Author: Halûk Sucuoğlu
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2014-05-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319010263

This book provides senior undergraduate students, master students and structural engineers who do not have a background in the field with core knowledge of structural earthquake engineering that will be invaluable in their professional lives. The basics of seismotectonics, including the causes, magnitude, and intensity of earthquakes, are first explained. Then the book introduces basic elements of seismic hazard analysis and presents the concept of a seismic hazard map for use in seismic design. Subsequent chapters cover key aspects of the response analysis of simple systems and building structures to earthquake ground motions, design spectrum, the adoption of seismic analysis procedures in seismic design codes, seismic design principles and seismic design of reinforced concrete structures. Helpful worked examples on seismic analysis of linear, nonlinear and base isolated buildings, earthquake-resistant design of frame and frame-shear wall systems are included, most of which can be solved using a hand calculator.

Chi-Chi, Taiwan, Earthquake of September 21, 1999

Chi-Chi, Taiwan, Earthquake of September 21, 1999
Author: Christopher Arnold
Publisher:
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2001
Genre: Bridges
ISBN:

This report is about the disastrous 7.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred near the village of Chi-Chi in central Taiwan on September 21, 1999. More than 2,400 people were killed and 11,000 injured. Tens of thousands of residential units were damaged or destroyed, leaving more than 100,000 people homeless. Massive landslides destroyed everything in their paths, and in some remote areas, thousands of people were isolated for days. Lifelines were severely damaged or disrupted, and highways, bridges, and other infrastructure components sustained heavy damage. Damage estimates, including lost productivity, range from $20 billion to $30 billion (U.S.). This 184-page volume covers the topics of strong-motion instrumentation and data, fault-related surface deformation, soil liquefaction, landslides, performance of structures, highway bridges, lifeline performance, and emergency response and recovery. The report is the result of a cooperative effort among many engineers, scientists, and organizations.

Earthquake Engineering

Earthquake Engineering
Author: Alberto Bernal
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 938
Release: 1992-01-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9789054100607

The official proceedings of the 10th world conference on earthquake engineering in Madrid. Coverage includes damage in recent earthquakes, seismic risk and hazard, site effects, structural analysis and design, seismic codes and standards, urban planning, and expert system application.

Plate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes

Plate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes
Author: Lynn R. Sykes
Publisher: Columbia University Press
Total Pages: 342
Release: 2019-06-04
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0231546874

The theory of plate tectonics transformed earth science. The hypothesis that the earth’s outermost layers consist of mostly rigid plates that move over an inner surface helped describe the growth of new seafloor, confirm continental drift, and explain why earthquakes and volcanoes occur in some places and not others. Lynn R. Sykes played a key role in the birth of plate tectonics, conducting revelatory research on earthquakes. In this book, he gives an invaluable insider’s perspective on the theory’s development and its implications. Sykes combines lucid explanation of how plate tectonics revolutionized geology with unparalleled personal reflections. He entered the field when it was on the cusp of radical discoveries. Studying the distribution and mechanisms of earthquakes, Sykes pioneered the identification of seismic gaps—regions that have not ruptured in great earthquakes for a long time—and methods to estimate the possibility of quake recurrence. He recounts the various phases of his career, including his antinuclear activism, and the stories of colleagues around the world who took part in changing the paradigm. Sykes delves into the controversies over earthquake prediction and their importance, especially in the wake of the giant 2011 Japanese earthquake and the accompanying Fukushima disaster. He highlights geology’s lessons for nuclear safety, explaining why historic earthquake patterns are crucial to understanding the risks to power plants. Plate Tectonics and Great Earthquakes is the story of a scientist witnessing a revolution and playing an essential role in making it.