The 1983 Liege Earthquake: Damage Distribution and Site Effects

Abstract

On November 8, 1983, a moderate magnitude (Ml=4.9) earthquake struck Liege (Belgium). A damage study has shown that site effects at different scales have played an important role in amplifying ground motion. On a large scale, the damage distribution has been determined by the presence of a large Carboniferous syncline beneath the city as shown by 2D numerical modeling. On a small scale, the main damage concentrations can be correlated with local superficial deposits which have amplified ground motions in the frequency range of buildings. A geophysical survey was carried out to measure the shear wave velocity of the different formations. Site response computations were made at numerous sites in order to estimate the possible amplification and to compare the results with the damage. It was shown that the spectral amplifications computed in the dominant frequency range of the buildings are consistent with the damage data. In very affected areas, 1D amplifications of 4 to 6 were obtained and in some cases 2D effects may have occurred. The Liege earthquake, taking place in the intraplate region of Northwestern Europe, presents a significant interest to other similar areas as the eastern United States.