Strong-Motion Accelerograms of the Oroville, California, aftershocks: Data processing and the aftershock of 0350 August 6, 1975

Abstract

abstract The Oroville aftershock accelerograms are characterized by short durations (≲2 sec) of strong ground motion, small S-wave minus trigger times (≲2 sec), and an enrichment in frequencies above 1 Hz, as might be expected for 3 ≲ M ≲5 earthquakes recorded at close distances (R ≲ 15 km). These characteristics introduce significant error into the velocity and displacement traces calculated according to the routine procedures used in the series “Strong Motion Earthquake Accelerograms.” These errors are markedly reduced by removing all decimation in the processing scheme and by constructing a smoother response for the Ormsby high-pass filter. The result is an accurate set of velocity and displacement traces that can be used in a wide variety of source-mechanism and ground-motion studies. These revised processing procedures are applied to the ten strong-motion accelerograms of one of the largest aftershocks (0350 August 6, 1975; ML = 4.7) to illustrate the quality of data available for 12 such well-recorded aftershocks and to estimate the source properties of this particular earthquake. All of the accelerographs triggered on the P wave, allowing the recovery of the complete S wave on ten accelerograms. Offsets in displacement across the S wave and a ramp-like signature leading up to the S wave identified on the displacement traces are apparently near-field source effects. The seismic moment and stress drop determined for this normal faulting event are 4.0 × 1023 dyne-cm, and 410 bars, respectively. The seismic moment and stress drop are determined by averaging individual measurements at 9 and 8 stations, respectively, and are well-constrained with standard deviations that are about 25 per cent of the mean.