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U.S. Seismic Hazard Maps – Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Samoa and the Pacific Islands, and Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Completed

By Earthquake Hazards Program October 23, 2019

Seismic hazard maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Samoa and the Pacific Islands, and Guam.

Map of Puerto Rico with color-shaded contours
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Puerto Rico seismic hazard map showing peak ground acceleration (%g) total mean hazard map for 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years for a firm rock site (VS30 = 760 m/s). (Public domain.) Click for larger version.

Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

2003

Gridded seismic hazard curve data, gridded ground motion data, and mapped gridded ground motion values are available for the 2003 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Seismic Hazard Model. Probabilistic seismic hazard data and maps are available for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 0.2, 0.3, and 1.0 second spectral acceleration at probability levels of 2 percent in 50 years and 10 percent in 50 years, assuming firm rock soil conditions at 760 m/s. Development of the 2003 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Seismic Hazard Model is documented at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr03379.

This dataset is considered a legacy dataset. The original dataset was uploaded to the USGS website at the time of publication of the seismic hazard model (2003) but was later moved over the the USGS ScienceBase Catalog (2019). The original dataset was assumed to be complete and accurate, but may contain inconsistencies when compared to more recent, actively maintained datasets.

Samoa and the Pacific Islands

Gridded seismic hazard curve data, gridded ground motion data, and mapped gridded ground motion values are available for the 2012 American Samoa and Neighboring South Pacific Islands Seismic Hazard Model. Probabilistic seismic hazard data and maps of American Samoa and Neighboring South Pacific Islands for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 0.2 and 1.0 second spectral acceleration at probability levels of 2 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.000404) and 10 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.0021), assuming firm rock soil conditions at 760 m/s, are available. Additionally, seismicity catalogs, deaggregation data, deterministic hazard data, and site-specific hazard data are available. Development of the 2012 American Samoa and Neighboring South Pacific Islands Seismic Hazard Model is documented in the USGS Open-File Report 2012-1087 (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1087/).

This dataset is considered a legacy dataset. The original dataset was uploaded to the USGS website at the time of publication of the seismic hazard model (2012) but was later moved over the the USGS ScienceBase Catalog (2019). The original dataset was assumed to be complete and accurate, but may contain inconsistencies when compared to more recent, actively maintained datasets.

2012

Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

Gridded seismic hazard curve data, gridded ground motion data, and mapped gridded ground motion values are available for the 2012 Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Seismic Hazard Model. Probabilistic seismic hazard data and maps of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 0.2 and 1.0 second spectral acceleration at probability levels of 2 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.000404) and 10 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.0021), assuming firm rock soil conditions at 760 m/s, are available. Development of the 2012 Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Seismic Hazard Model is documented in the USGS Open-File Report 2012-1015 (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1015/).

This dataset is considered a legacy dataset. The original dataset was uploaded to the USGS website at the time of publication of the seismic hazard model (2012) but was later moved over the the USGS ScienceBase Catalog (2019). The original dataset was assumed to be complete and accurate, but may contain inconsistencies when compared to more recent, actively maintained datasets.

2012

 

Below are publications associated with this project.

Seismic hazard of American Samoa and neighboring South Pacific Islands--methods, data, parameters, and results

American Samoa and the neighboring islands of the South Pacific lie near active tectonic-plate boundaries that host many large earthquakes which can result in strong earthquake shaking and tsunamis. To mitigate earthquake risks from future ground shaking, the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested that the U.S. Geological Survey prepare seismic hazard maps that can be applied in building-de
Authors
Mark D. Petersen, Stephen C. Harmsen, Kenneth S. Rukstales, Charles S. Mueller, Daniel E. McNamara, Nicolas Luco, Melanie Walling
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Seismic hazard assessment for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

We present the results of a new probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The Mariana island arc has formed in response to northwestward subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Philippine Sea plate, and this process controls seismic activity in the region. Historical seismicity, the Mariana megathrust, and two crustal faults on Guam were modeled as seis
Authors
Charles S. Mueller, Kathleen M. Haller, Nicholas Luco, Mark D. Petersen, Arthur D. Frankel
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

New seismic hazard maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

The probabilistic methodology developed by the U.S. Geological Survey is applied to a new seismic hazard assessment for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Modeled seismic sources include gridded historical seismicity, subduction-interface and strike-slip faults with known slip rates, and two broad zones of crustal extension with seismicity rates constrained by GPS geodesy. We use attenuation
Authors
Charles S. Mueller, Arthur D. Frankel, Mark D. Petersen, Edgar V. Leyendecker

Documentation for 2003 USGS Seismic Hazard Maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

No abstract available.
Authors
C.S. Mueller, A. D. Frankel, M.D. Petersen, E. V. Leyendecker
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
  • Overview

    Seismic hazard maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Samoa and the Pacific Islands, and Guam.

    Map of Puerto Rico with color-shaded contours
    Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
    Puerto Rico seismic hazard map showing peak ground acceleration (%g) total mean hazard map for 2% probability of exceedance in 50 years for a firm rock site (VS30 = 760 m/s). (Public domain.) Click for larger version.

    Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

    2003

    Gridded seismic hazard curve data, gridded ground motion data, and mapped gridded ground motion values are available for the 2003 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Seismic Hazard Model. Probabilistic seismic hazard data and maps are available for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 0.2, 0.3, and 1.0 second spectral acceleration at probability levels of 2 percent in 50 years and 10 percent in 50 years, assuming firm rock soil conditions at 760 m/s. Development of the 2003 Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Seismic Hazard Model is documented at https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr03379.

    This dataset is considered a legacy dataset. The original dataset was uploaded to the USGS website at the time of publication of the seismic hazard model (2003) but was later moved over the the USGS ScienceBase Catalog (2019). The original dataset was assumed to be complete and accurate, but may contain inconsistencies when compared to more recent, actively maintained datasets.

    Samoa and the Pacific Islands

    Gridded seismic hazard curve data, gridded ground motion data, and mapped gridded ground motion values are available for the 2012 American Samoa and Neighboring South Pacific Islands Seismic Hazard Model. Probabilistic seismic hazard data and maps of American Samoa and Neighboring South Pacific Islands for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 0.2 and 1.0 second spectral acceleration at probability levels of 2 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.000404) and 10 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.0021), assuming firm rock soil conditions at 760 m/s, are available. Additionally, seismicity catalogs, deaggregation data, deterministic hazard data, and site-specific hazard data are available. Development of the 2012 American Samoa and Neighboring South Pacific Islands Seismic Hazard Model is documented in the USGS Open-File Report 2012-1087 (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1087/).

    This dataset is considered a legacy dataset. The original dataset was uploaded to the USGS website at the time of publication of the seismic hazard model (2012) but was later moved over the the USGS ScienceBase Catalog (2019). The original dataset was assumed to be complete and accurate, but may contain inconsistencies when compared to more recent, actively maintained datasets.

    2012

    Guam and Northern Mariana Islands

    Gridded seismic hazard curve data, gridded ground motion data, and mapped gridded ground motion values are available for the 2012 Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Seismic Hazard Model. Probabilistic seismic hazard data and maps of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 0.2 and 1.0 second spectral acceleration at probability levels of 2 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.000404) and 10 percent in 50 years (annual probability of 0.0021), assuming firm rock soil conditions at 760 m/s, are available. Development of the 2012 Guam and Northern Mariana Islands Seismic Hazard Model is documented in the USGS Open-File Report 2012-1015 (https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2012/1015/).

    This dataset is considered a legacy dataset. The original dataset was uploaded to the USGS website at the time of publication of the seismic hazard model (2012) but was later moved over the the USGS ScienceBase Catalog (2019). The original dataset was assumed to be complete and accurate, but may contain inconsistencies when compared to more recent, actively maintained datasets.

    2012

     

  • Publications

    Below are publications associated with this project.

    Seismic hazard of American Samoa and neighboring South Pacific Islands--methods, data, parameters, and results

    American Samoa and the neighboring islands of the South Pacific lie near active tectonic-plate boundaries that host many large earthquakes which can result in strong earthquake shaking and tsunamis. To mitigate earthquake risks from future ground shaking, the Federal Emergency Management Agency requested that the U.S. Geological Survey prepare seismic hazard maps that can be applied in building-de
    Authors
    Mark D. Petersen, Stephen C. Harmsen, Kenneth S. Rukstales, Charles S. Mueller, Daniel E. McNamara, Nicolas Luco, Melanie Walling
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

    Seismic hazard assessment for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

    We present the results of a new probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. The Mariana island arc has formed in response to northwestward subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Philippine Sea plate, and this process controls seismic activity in the region. Historical seismicity, the Mariana megathrust, and two crustal faults on Guam were modeled as seis
    Authors
    Charles S. Mueller, Kathleen M. Haller, Nicholas Luco, Mark D. Petersen, Arthur D. Frankel
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

    New seismic hazard maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

    The probabilistic methodology developed by the U.S. Geological Survey is applied to a new seismic hazard assessment for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Modeled seismic sources include gridded historical seismicity, subduction-interface and strike-slip faults with known slip rates, and two broad zones of crustal extension with seismicity rates constrained by GPS geodesy. We use attenuation
    Authors
    Charles S. Mueller, Arthur D. Frankel, Mark D. Petersen, Edgar V. Leyendecker

    Documentation for 2003 USGS Seismic Hazard Maps for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

    No abstract available.
    Authors
    C.S. Mueller, A. D. Frankel, M.D. Petersen, E. V. Leyendecker
    By
    Natural Hazards Mission Area, Earthquake Hazards Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center