Building a Open Seismic Hazard Model for South America: the Sara-Psha Model

Abstract eng:
The creation of a hazard model and the computation of seismic hazard for the territories covering the South American continent were two critical milestones of the South America Risk Assessment (SARA) project. This model is the first community-based assessment completed for this continent since the conclusion of the Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Program (GSHAP; [1]). It provides scientists, engineers and decision makers in the region with a complete and transparent assessment of seismic hazard - and its related uncertainties – based on common methods to collect and process input data. The SARA seismic model was created using a compilation of updated and harmonised databases needed for PSHA (e.g. historical and instrumental catalogue, a compilation of active fault data) which were created following, to the greatest extent possible, common standards and transparent procedures. The construction of these databases was completed by a number of South American scientists and engineers. The results computed with the SARA hazard model can support multiple objectives: i) input definition for national and/or regional scale seismic risk studies, ii) input definition for local or urban scale seismic risk studies and iii) seismic input definition consistent with the requirements of internationally recognised seismic design codes (e.g. International Building Code; [2]). Although these results do not intend to replace the existing national design regulations for seismic design and construction of buildings, they constitute a good reference for improving transparency, self-consistency and overall understanding of future revision of national hazard models.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket