Study of the PGV, Strong Motion and Intensity Distribution of the February 1969 (Ms 8.0) Offshore Cape St. Vincent (Portugal) Earthquake Using Synthetic Ground Velocities

Abstract

The 28 February 1969 (Ms 8.0) Cape St. Vincent earthquake is the largest shock to have occurred in the region after the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. However, the study of the rupture process has been limited due to the characteristics of the available seismic data which were analogue records that were generally saturated at both regional and teleseismic distances. Indeed, these data consist of just one accelerograph record at the 25th April Bridge in Lisbon (Portugal) and the observed intensities in the Iberian Peninsula and northern part of Morocco. We have used these data to simulate the distribution of PGV (Peak Ground Velocity) for the 1969 event at regional distances (less than 600 km) by using a 3D velocity model. The PGV values are very important in seismic hazard studies. The velocity model and the methodological approach were tested by comparing synthetic and observed ground velocities at regional distances for two recent, well-studied earthquakes that occurred in this region, namely, the 2007 (Mw = 5.9) and the 2009 (Mw = 5.5) earthquakes. By comparing the synthetic and observed PGA (Peak Ground Acceleration) at Lisbon, the focal depth was estimated equal to 25 km and the seismic moment equal to 6.4 × 1020 N m (Mw = 7.8) for 1969 earthquake. With these parameters, PGV values were obtained for 159 sites located in the Iberian Peninsula and northern region of Morocco where we have felt intensity values. Using different empirical relations, the instrumental intensity values were calculated and compared with the felt intensities. As a result, the synthetic PGV values obtained in this study for the 1969 earthquake could be used as reference values, and the methodological approach would allow the PGV and intensity to be simulated for other events in the region.