Three-Dimensional Shallow Shear-Wave Velocity Model for the Las Vegas Valley

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2013 Three-Dimensional Shallow Shear-Wave Velocity Model for the Las Vegas Valley HELENA MURVOSH; HELENA MURVOSH 1 Stanley Consultants, Inc., 5820 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89119 1Corresponding author phone: (702) 369-9396; fax: (702) 369-9793; murvoshhelena@stanleygroup.com. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar BARBARA LUKE; BARBARA LUKE Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction and Applied Geophysics Center, University of Nevada–Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar WANDA J. TAYLOR; WANDA J. TAYLOR Department of Geoscience and Applied Geophysics Center, University of Nevada–Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar JEFF WAGONER JEFF WAGONER Atmospheric, Earth and Energy Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808 L-221, Livermore, CA 94551 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information HELENA MURVOSH 1 Stanley Consultants, Inc., 5820 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 200, Las Vegas, NV 89119 BARBARA LUKE Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction and Applied Geophysics Center, University of Nevada–Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154 WANDA J. TAYLOR Department of Geoscience and Applied Geophysics Center, University of Nevada–Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154 JEFF WAGONER Atmospheric, Earth and Energy Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808 L-221, Livermore, CA 94551 1Corresponding author phone: (702) 369-9396; fax: (702) 369-9793; murvoshhelena@stanleygroup.com. Publisher: Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1558-9161 Print ISSN: 1078-7275 © 2013 Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (2013) 19 (2): 115–134. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.19.2.115 Article history First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation HELENA MURVOSH, BARBARA LUKE, WANDA J. TAYLOR, JEFF WAGONER; Three-Dimensional Shallow Shear-Wave Velocity Model for the Las Vegas Valley. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 2013;; 19 (2): 115–134. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.19.2.115 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract A three-dimensional (3-D) shear-wave velocity (Vcontent>S) model was developed for the heterogeneous sediments of the Las Vegas Valley (LVV) in Nevada. The model was based on more than 200 Vcontent>S profiles (one-dimensional representation of Vcontent>S versus depth) and 1,400 geologic well logs. Incorporation of the well logs into the model was accomplished by condensing the geologic-log descriptions of the shallow sediments into five sediment units and then correlating Vcontent>S to these units. Characteristic Vcontent>S profiles were defined to represent four of these units by correlating between closely spaced pairs of Vcontent>S measurement sites and wells located within 500 m. These characteristic profiles were then used to generate Vcontent>S profiles at each well location by assigning Vcontent>S based on logged sediment type with respect to depth. The fifth unit was cemented sediment, for which a constant, depth-independent Vcontent>S value was assigned. Using the software EarthVision, the Vcontent>S profiles were interpolated in three dimensions, considering faults, to nearly 400 m in depth. Using regional data from an existing gravity-based survey, the model was extended to Paleozoic bedrock, which is locally deeper than 4 km. A 3-D section of the model demonstrated strong variability of Vcontent>S both laterally and vertically. Model accuracy varied spatially with data density. This model can be used to forecast earthquake ground-shaking patterns throughout the LVV. Particular application in engineering seismology can be found for high-rise structures that are vulnerable to long-period ground motion in a deep sedimentary basin. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.