-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        SILS Bulletin 08-21 Atlas of shakeMaps for Selected Global
Earthquakes
Date:   Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:50:31 -0600
From:   Sheryle J Jackson <[log in to unmask]>
To:     undisclosed-recipients:;





SILS Information Bulletin

Number:  08-21 Atlas of Shake Maps for Selected Global Earthquakes

Date:       August 29, 2008

An online atlas of maps containing information of peak ground motions
and intensity 'ShakeMaps' has been developed for almost 5,000 recent and
historical global earthquakes. These maps are produced using established
ShakeMap methodology (Wald and others, 1999c; Wald and others, 2005) and
constraints from macroseismic intensity data, instrumental ground
motions, regional topographically-based site amplifications, and
published earthquake-rupture models. Applying the ShakeMap methodology
allows a consistent approach to combine point observations with
ground-motion predictions to produce descriptions of peak ground motions
and intensity for each event. An estimated ground-motion uncertainty
grid for each earthquake is also calculated.

The Atlas of ShakeMaps provides a consistent and quantitative
description of the distribution and intensity of shaking for recent
global earthquakes (1973-2007) as well as selected historic events. The
Atlas was developed specifically for calibrating global earthquake loss
estimation methodologies to be used in the U.S. Geological Survey Prompt
Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) Project. PAGER
will employ these loss models to rapidly estimate the impact of global
earthquakes as part of the USGS National Earthquake Information Center's
earthquake-response protocol.

The development of the Atlas of ShakeMaps has also led to several key
improvements to the Global ShakeMap system. The key upgrades include:
addition of uncertainties in the ground motion mapping, introduction of
modern ground-motion prediction equations, improved estimates of global
seismic-site conditions (VS30), and improved definition of stable
continental region polygons. All of this information has been merged to
provide a global perspective of earthquake ground shaking for the past
35 years, allowing comparison with probabilistic hazard maps.

This report is available *online* *only* and can be found at
*/_http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2008/1236/  _/*
The Atlas and supporting databases are divided into years and the
countries affected during those years. This information is available at
*/_http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/shakemap/atlas.php/_/**/ .  /*For
more information on this or other USGS products and services contact the
USGS Science Information and Library Services (SILS) at 1-888-ASK-USGS
or online through the USGS store at */_http://store.usgs.gov_/*


Sheryle Girk-Jackson 303 202 4176, FAX 303 202 4633, email:
[log in to unmask]





Sheryle J. Girk-Jackson
Technical Information Specialist/Business Acquisitions
USGS/ESIC