Regional map of earthquake-induced liquefaction hazard using the lateral spreading displacement index D LL

We present regional maps of earthquake-induced liquefaction hazard in Mexico considering the lateral or horizontal spreading displacement, as index, D LL . The methodology to prepare the liquefaction hazard maps consists of five steps: (1) identifying zones with soil deposits that are more susceptible to displaying liquefaction based on geologic available information at a 1:1,000,000 scale; (2) characterizing the seismic hazard as a set of stochastic events that collectively describe the hazard, compatible with the distribution of location, depth, frequencies, magnitudes and attenuation of the seismic strong ground motion; (3) employing a parametric method, based on empirical data, to estimate the demand of permanent ground deformation expected due to liquefaction (in this study, the lateral spreading displacement of the ground, D LL ) by event and for the site required; (4) characterizing the earthquake-induced liquefaction hazard as a set of stochastic events that describe the spatial distribution demand of liquefaction for each event; and (5) performing a probabilistic analysis of liquefaction hazard. The results of liquefaction hazard associated with return periods of 150 and 500 years are shown on maps of Mexico. Those maps are compared qualitatively with historical information collected from sites where, based on descriptions, the phenomenon of earthquake-induced liquefaction is seen to have occurred from the year 1593 to 2010. The results obtained in this study provide a first approximation to the liquefaction hazard zones in the country, in accordance with sites where historical evidence of liquefaction has been reported. In addition, the application could be important in land-use planning and urban development, particularly in regions with a historical certainty of earthquake-induced liquefaction, but with little or no geotechnical and/or geophysical studies. These maps can be used to locate zones where more in-depth studies are required to estimate, with less uncertainty, the potential for earthquake-induced liquefaction. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015