Evaluation of seismicity at U.S. reservoirs

Abstract

This report presents data relevant to the occurrence of reservoirassociated earthquakes. The possible occurrence of earthquakes, presumably associated with reservoir loading, that cause intense shaking at a damsite strong enough to damage the dam, as in the case of Koyna, India and Hsinfengkiang, Peoples Republic of China, poses a problem to the designers of dams. The Committee on Earthquakes is studying the problem and this report is the first that addresses the subject of the occurrence of earthquakes near dams. The Committee has issued an earlier report "Seismic Instrumentation of Dams" by Bruce A. Bolt and Donald E. Hudson, April, 1975, which also appeared in the Journal of the Geotechnical Division, American Society of Civil Engineers, GT11, November 1975. The Committee on Earthquakes collects, analyses and publishes data relevant to earthquake hazards and the design of dams, and identifies areas where additional research is needed. The project for preparing this report received partial support from the National Science Foundation. Any findings, opinions, conclusions or recommendations presented in this report are those of the authors and not of the National Science Foundation.