Turning Disaster into Knowledge: Geotechnical Aspects of the 2020 Magnitude 6.5 Monte Cristo Range Earthquake in Nevada
Publication: Geo-Extreme 2021
ABSTRACT
This paper summarizes some of the preliminary findings by the Geotechnical Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) team from the 2020 magnitude 6.5 Monte Cristo Range earthquake in Nevada. The team visited the Monte Cristo Range area three weeks after the main event mainly focusing on some interesting ground failure patterns reported by other advance teams. This paper first presents the geological and seismological aspects of the studied area, and then discusses the observed ground failure patterns which are mainly attributed to the widespread liquefaction-induced lateral spreads and associated settlements. This paper also presents the observed extensive surface manifestations of liquefaction. Additional discussions consist of recorded ground motions and a comprehensive series of field and laboratory tests. The in situ tests included Refraction Microtremor (ReMi) surveys, and several soil samples were taken in the observed ground failure area and tested in the laboratory for basic index properties and soil classifications. These test results were the basis for a preliminary assessment of liquefaction triggering, the details of which are presented and discussed in this paper.
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Geo-Extreme 2021
Pages: 456 - 470
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Published online: Nov 4, 2021
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