Browsing by Author "Saez, E."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Machine learning techniques for estimating seismic site amplification in the Santiago basin, Chile
    (2022) Diaz, J. P.; Saez, E.; Monsalve, M.; Candia, G.; Aron, F.; Gonzalez, G.
    Seismic site amplification and seismic hazard maps are crucial inputs for decision making and risk evaluation in places where seismicity imposes a significant risk to human life and infrastructure. In this work, we propose a novel machine learning (ML) based methodology to integrate qualitative and quantitative data to map the degree of seismic amplification in an area of Chile, one of the most seismically active countries on Earth. Our method uses measurements of surface shear wave velocities (Vs30) and predominant frequencies (f0) combined with gravity anomaly maps to update the geographic extension of seismic amplification classes. Additionally, we trained the predictive models to interpolate and extrapolate Vs30 and f0 to the unsampled sites. Applying this method to the Santiago basin resulted in (i) a refined seismic amplification map, and (ii) maps of Vs30 and f0 estimated with improved accuracy. The best predictions, obtained by ML techniques and validated through crossvalidation, are possibly due to the inclusion of spatial covariates for algorithm training, enhancing the ability of the model to capture the spatial correlations of geological, geophysical and geotechnical data. The estimation of predominant frequencies (f0) is improved considerably by including gravity as a covariant. The accuracy of the f0 predictions apparently depends more on the choice of covariates than on the algorithm used, while the Vs30 predictions are more sensitive to the chosen algorithm. These results illustrate the great potential of machine learning predictive algorithms in digital soil mapping, which surpass traditional geostatistical techniques. The major contribution of this work is to introduce a novel methodology, based on artificial intelligence models, to extend local measurements of site-specific dynamic properties. This information can be used to quantitatively estimate seismic hazard over a regional scale.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Nature and tectonic significance of co-seismic structures associated with the Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake, central-southern Chile forearc
    (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2011) Arriagada, C.; Arancibia, G.; Cembrano, J.; Martinez, F.; Carrizo, D.; Van Sint Jan, M.; Saez, E.; Gonzalez, G.; Rebolledo, S.; Sepulveda, S. A.; Contreras Reyes, E.; Jensen, E.; Yanez, G.
    The Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake on February 27, 2010 affected the central-southern Chilean forearc of the Central Andes. Here we show the results of field investigations of surface deformation associated with this major earthquake. Observations were carried out within three weeks after the seismic event, mostly in the central and northern part of the forearc overlying the rupture zone. We provide a detailed field record of co-seismic surface deformation and examine its implications on active Andean tectonics. Surface rupture consisted primarily of extensional cracks, push-up structures, fissures with minor lateral displacements and a few but impressive extensional geometries similar to those observed in analogical modeling of rift systems. A major group of NW-WNW striking fractures representing co-seismic extensional deformation is found at all localities. These appear to be spatially correlated to long-lived basement fault zones. The NW-striking normal focal mechanism of the Mw 6.9 aftershock occurred on March 11 demonstrates that the basement faults were reactivated by the Mw 8.8 Maule earthquake. The co-seismic surface ruptures show patterns of distributed deformation similar to those observed in mapped basement-involved structures. We propose that co-seismic reactivation of basement structures play a fundamental role in stress release in the upper plate during large subduction earthquakes. The fundamental mechanism that promotes stress relaxation is largely driven by elastic rebound of the upper plate located right above the main rupture zone. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.