NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Spreading in Oceano, California, during the 2003 San Simeon Earthquake.
- File
- PB2006105300.pdf
- Author(s)
- Holzer, T. L.; Noce, T. E.; Bennett, M. J.; Di Alessandro, C.; Boatwright, J.
- Source
- January 2004, 56 p.
- Identifying Number(s)
- USGS/OFR-2004-1269
- Abstract
- The December 22, 2003, San Simeon, California, (M6.5) earthquake caused damage to houses, road surfaces, and underground utilities in Oceano, California. The community of Oceano is approximately 50 miles (80 km) from the earthquake epicenter. Damage at this distance from a M6.5 earthquake is unusual. To understand the causes of this damage, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted extensive subsurface exploration and monitoring of aftershocks in the months after the earthquake. The investigation included 37 seismic cone penetration tests, 5 soil borings, and aftershock monitoring from January 28 to March 7, 2004. The USGS investigation identified two earthquake hazards in Oceano that explain the San Simeon earthquake damage-site amplification and liquefaction.
- Keywords
- Site amplification; Oceano (California); Damage; Liquefaction damage; Aftershocks; Monitoring; Earthquakes; Subsurface exploration; Site analysis; Lateral spreading; United States Geological Survey (USGS); Seismic effects; San Simeon (California)