[CEUS-earthquake-hazards] Report on estimating maximum magnitude in the Central and Eastern US.

[Oliver Boyd]

Methods of Mmax Estimation East of the Rocky Mountains 

 

The magnitude of the largest earthquake that is thought possible within a
specified area (Mmax) is an important value in probabilistic seismic-hazard
assessment. East of the Rockies, outside the New Madrid seismic zone and a
few others, seismicity is generally sparse and large earthquakes are rare.

In such areas Mmax must be estimated indirectly. The report discusses pros
and cons of the various methods that have been used or suggested over the
years to estimate Mmax in various parts of the East. The report was part of
the preparatory reading for attendees at a workshop on eastern Mmax that was
held in Golden, Colorado on September 8-9, 2008. The 1 MB report is
available free at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2009/1018/.

-----------------------------------------

Rus Wheeler

research geologist

phone: (303) 273-8589

fax: (303) 273-8600

email: wheeler at usgs.gov

 

paper mail:

Russell L. Wheeler

U.S. Geological Survey

P.O. Box 25046, M.S. 966

Lakewood, CO 80225

 

physical address, FedEx, UPS:

1711 Illinois St., rm. 442

Golden, CO 80401

 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://geohazards.usgs.gov/pipermail/ceus-earthquake-hazards/attachments/20090506/b81fa7cf/attachment.html