Earthquakes, Strong-Ground Motion

Earthquake ground motion is a natural phenomenon associ- ated with a sudden release of energy due to a fault rupture. Strong-motion seismology deals with seismic waves radiated by large earthquakes. More precisely, it is concerned with measurement, interpretation and prediction of strong shaking generated by damaging earthquakes. Because of the engineering need for estimates of future strong-ground motion, the scope of strong-motion seismol- ogy encompasses seismic source theory and all other aspects of seismology that can provide insights helpful in making the best possible earthquake ground-shaking scenarios given the limited observational data.