What is the amplification of seismic waves and how will this amplification gener

Question

What is the amplification of seismic waves and how will this amplification generate hazards in Seattle during the “really big one” earthquake (Mag > 8) even though the epicenter will be off the coast of Washington, far from Seattle? (Important fact: most of the Seattle is built on top of unconsolidated sediments, including tide flat sediments and glacial sediments.)

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Explanation / Answer

What is the amplification of seismic waves and how will this amplification generate hazards in Seattle during the “really big one” earthquake (Mag > 8) even though the epicenter will be off the coast of Washington, far from Seattle? (Important fact: most of the Seattle is built on top of unconsolidated sediments, including tide flat sediments and glacial sediments.)

Ans:

It is well known that the seismic waves produced by rock failure travel faster in harder rocks than in softer ones. The movement of such waves in soft sediments leads to accumulation of energy which is what leads to their amplification. An earthquake of a strong magnitude is likely to have a devastating impact on Seattle as the waves reaching the loose sediments would cause a reduction in velocity of seismic waves originating far offshore. As the velocity would decrease the energy would build up and amplify the movement of the ground underneath Seattle.

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