Volume 2, No. 2, 2008
Received: 2008/08/27, Accepted:
Authors:
Rasheed A. Jaradat; Osama K. Nusier; Muheeb M. Awawdeh; Mahmoud Y. Al-Qaryouti; Yasin M. Fahjan;
Abstract:
Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) approach was adopted to investigate seismic hazard distribution
across Jordan. Potential sources of seismic activities in the region were identified, and their earthquake
recurrence relationships were developed from instrumental and historical data. Maps of peak ground acceleration
and spectral accelerations (T=0.2 and T=1.0 sec.) of 2% and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years were
developed. This study deaggregated the PSHA results of 2% and 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years
results of twelve Jordanian cities to help understand the relative control of these sources in terms of distances
and magnitudes. Results indicated that seismic hazard across these cities is mainly controlled by area sources
located along the Dead Sea Transform (DST) fault system. Cities located at short distances from the DST tend to
show close deaggregation behavior. Some discrepancies may exist due to the proximity or remoteness of these
cities relative to the DST seismic sources and local seismicity. The modal or most probable distance distribution
indicated that the distance to the earthquake which contributes most to the hazard at each city is mainly
controlled by shaking along faults associated with near seismic area sources. The influence of adjacent seismic
sources to the seismic hazard of each city is more evident for the long period spectral acceleration. Distant
sources, such as the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus, Suez and the southern region of the Gulf of Aqaba are
relatively low, but can not be neglected due to the intrinsic uncertainties and incomplete seismic data.
Keywords:
Seismic hazard, Deaggregation, Ground motion, Jordan.