Seismic Parameters from Liquefaction Evidence
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 120, Issue 8
Abstract
The Charleston, S.C., earthquake of 1886 is the largest earthquake to occur on the Eastern Seaboard during historic times. No strong motions from the event were recorded and no causative fault was identified. Following the earthquake, accounts of widespread liquefaction and heavy structural damage were documented. Recent field studies led to the discovery of relict liquefaction features in soil exposures excavated in the Charleston area. The studies indicate that while some of the liquefaction features were caused by the 1886 event, many were caused by prehistoric earthquakes. The present study provides a geotechnical engineering perspective on the liquefaction findings, especially those associated with the 1886 earthquake. Existing liquefaction prediction methods were used to back‐calculate the magnitude and peak ground accelerations required to produce the liquefaction that occurred in 1886. The results suggest that the ground motions of the 1886 earthquake were significantly less than those currently proposed by the seismological community. Of particular significance, the approach demonstrated in this study can be used in other regions of infrequent seismicity to estimate past ground motions.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
Volume 120 • Issue 8 • August 1994
Pages: 1345 - 1361
Copyright
Copyright © 1994 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 12, 1992
Published online: Aug 1, 1994
Published in print: Aug 1994
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