Laserfiche WebLink
The characteristics of the subduction zone earthquakes affecting Lane County are <br />summarized in Table 10.4 below. The maximum magnitudes are estimated from the <br />~ength and width of the mapped fault plane or from similar earthquakes elsewhere in <br />the Pacific Northwest (for the intraslab earthquakes). Recurrence intervals are based <br />on current best estimates. <br /> <br /> Table 10.4 <br /> Seismic Sources Affecting Lane County <br /> <br /> Fau~t Maximum Probable Recurrence <br /> Magnitude Interval (years) <br /> <br /> Cascadla Subducbon Zone 8,5 500 to 800 <br /> (interface earthquake) <br /> <br /> Cascadla Subduction Zone 7.5 500 to 1000 <br /> (intraslab earthquake) <br /> <br />Chapter 4 of the Regional Mitigation Plan Phase Two Technical Appendix analyses <br />these two scenario earthquakes affecting the three counties: a Cascadia Subduction <br />Zone interface earthquake (M8.5) and a Cascadia Subduction Zone intrasiab <br />earthquake (M7.5)~ For each of these earthquakes, appropriate attenuation <br />relationships are used to calculate the levels of ground shaking (peak ground <br />acceleration, PGA) with distance from the earthquake. <br /> <br />10.3 Other Aspects of Seismic Hazards in Lane County <br /> <br />Most of the damage in earthquakes occurs directly because of ground shaking which <br />affects buildings and infrastructure. However, there are several other aspects of <br />earthquakes that can result in very high levels of damage in localized sites: <br />liquefaction, landslides, dam failures and tsunamis. <br /> <br /> 10,3.1 Soil Effects <br /> <br />Liquefaction is a process where loose, wet sediments lose strength during an <br />earthquake and behave similarly to a liquid. Once a soil ~iquefies, it will tend to settle <br />and/or spread laterally. With even very slight slopes, liquefied soils tend to move <br />sideways downhill (lateral spreading). Settling or lateral spreading can cause major <br />damage to buildings and to buried infrastructure such as pipes and cables. <br /> <br />Figure 3-6 in the Regional Mitigation Plan Phase Two Technical Appendix shows the <br />areas in the three counties where liquefaction potential is high. These areas of high <br />liquefaction potential largely follow the main river and stream drainage channels in the <br />three county area; these are the areas with loose, wet sediments. Liquefaction does <br />not occur in all such areas or in all earthquakes. However, in ~arger earthquakes with <br />strong ground shaking and long duration shaking, liquefaction is likely in many of these <br />high liquefaction potential areas. Settlements of a few inches or more and lateral <br />spreads of a few inches to several feet are possible. Even a few inches of settlement <br /> <br /> 10-8 <br /> <br /> <br />