Arias intensity Macrozonation and the effect of shear wave velocity on its propagation Case Study of Khoy region

Abstract

Abstract Earthquakes are one of the natural hazards that have caused many casualties and financial losses around the world. This is why earthquake risk analysis studies need to be conducted more seriously. Iran is located in one of the seismogenic regions of the world, the Himalayan-Alpine belt, which is subject to many earthquakes every year. The Arias intensity, as one of the important seismic parameters, helps in seismic hazard analysis, and can be used to estimate structural performance, slope stability, and liquefaction during an earthquake. In this study, the tectonics and seismotectonics of the region of Khoy in northwestern Iran were investigated, and the location of future earthquake was determined. Next, Arias intensity’s maps ​​for return periods of 475, 975 and 2475 years were prepared. The effect of shear wave velocity (Vs30) was also considered during the analyses. The most dangerous area, who’s located at one of future earthquake locations, and also has the potential of resonance and liquefaction, is the northeast of the Salmas fault. Evidently, other than the distance from the fault, the intensity of the earthquake is affected by changes in Vs30. It means, in some cases, at more distant points from the seismic source, the intensity even increases. This shows the importance of the effects of geological conditions on the estimation of intensity.