Network analysis of earthquake ground motion spatial correlation: a case study with the San Jacinto seismic nodal array

The spatial correlation of earthquake ground motion intensity can be measured from strong motion data; however, the data used in past studies is sparsely sampled in space, and only the interstation distance was considered as a correlation variable. These limitations mean that we have only weak constraints on the true correlation structure of ground motion and that potentially important aspects of spatial correlation are unconstrained. In this study, we combine a large-N seismic array and graph analytics to explore this issue at a local scale using small local and regional earthquakes. Our result suggests site conditions, and how they interact with the incident seismic wavefield, strongly condition the spatial correlation of ground motion. Future progress in characterizing ground motion spatial variability will require dense wavefield measurements, either through nodal deployments, or perhaps distributed acoustic sensing measurements, of seismic wavefields. Aftershock sequences of major earthquakes would provide particularly data-rich targets of opportunity.

Automated summary

The spatial correlation of earthquake ground motion intensity is explored using strong motion data and graph analytics, revealing that site conditions and their interaction with the seismic wavefield strongly influence the spatial correlation of ground motion. Future progress in characterizing ground motion spatial variability will require dense wavefield measurements.