Development of Deep Shear Wave Velocity Profiles in the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand. Issue 3 (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deschenes, Michael R.; Wood, Clinton M.; Wotherspoon, Liam M.; Bradley, Brendon A.; Thomson, Ethan
• Is Part Of: Earthquake spectra. Volume 34:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 1065
• Page End: 1089
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Earthquake engineering -- Periodicals; Earthquake engineering; Periodicals; 624.1762
• DOI: 10.1193/122717EQS267M
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 8755-2930

Abstract

Deep (typically > 1, 000 m) shear wave velocity ( V S ) profiles were developed across the Canterbury region of New Zealand at nine strong-motion stations using a combination of active and passive surface wave methods. A multimode, multimethod joint inversion process, which included Rayleigh and Love wave dispersion and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio data, was used to develop the V S profiles at each site. A priori geologic information was used in defining preliminary constraints on the complex geologic layering of the deep basin underlying the region, including velocity reversals in locations where interbedded terrestrial gravels and marine sediments are present. Shear wave profiles developed as part of this study had characteristics comparable to the profiles from 14 Christchurch sites detailed in a separate study. The profiles developed in the two studies were combined to form region-specific V S profiles for typical deposits, which can be used to improve the accuracy of current three-dimensional (3-D) crustal velocity models of the region.