Comparison of ground motion prediction equations with ground motion data from earthquakes in Southern Aegean Area

Abstract

Ground motion prediction equations are used to estimate ground motion parameters in seismic hazard analyses. The validity of these equations has been probed for local regions. The aim of this study is investigating the compatibility of ground motion prediction equations selected in international and national projects with respect to magnitude, distance, and site scaling implied by ground motion data from Southern Aegean Area. This province is one of the most seismically active areas of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Comparisons are done for estimations from the ground motion prediction equations developed in the Next Generation Attenuation (NGA) project for application to shallow crustal zones and subduction zones. The observed data recorded by 160 strong motion stations in the National Strong Ground Motion Network (operated by the Earthquake Department of the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, AFAD) (Mercuri et al. 2013) triggered by earthquakes with magnitude greater than 5 are used in terms of peak ground acceleration and spectral acceleration.