Simulation of Seismic Scenarios in a WebGIS Environment.Application to Azores Islands

Abstract eng:
The aim of this paper is to present and analyze regional losses in Azores islands, when past earthquake ground motions are considered, and to describe recent upgrades in a seismic scenario simulation tool, named LNECloss (LESSLOSS, 2007). This automatic tool comprises several modules like the modelling of seismic action at bedrock and surface level, the evaluation of earthquake damage to buildings and the evaluation of human and economic losses (Campos Costa et al., 2004; Sousa et al., 2004; Sousa, 2006). Several development requirements were identified in LNECloss simulator, namely: (a) to make the simulator available on the Web, as a stand alone tool, with no need of a geographic information platform, although with the GIS capabilities of mapping and synthesis the seismic scenario effects and with a friendly graphic interface, so it could be used by agents of civil protection when planning and managing a seismic disaster emergency; (b) to extend the geographic domain of the application to Azores archipelago, as this is the Portuguese region with higher seismic rate. Damages and losses were simulated for the Faial island, located on the Central Group of Azores Archipelago, based on a strong motion seismic scenario similar to 1998 earthquake, revealing a reasonable agreement with the observations.

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