Earthquake Ground Motion Scenarios for the City of Ruse

Abstract

Global seismic risk and vulnerability to earthquakes are increasing steadily as urbanization and development occupy more areas that are prone to effects of strong earthquakes. The assessment of seismic hazard and generation of earthquake scenarios is the first link in the prevention chain and the first step in the evaluation of the seismic risk. In the present study both deterministic and probabilistic earthquake scenarios for the city of Ruse are generated. The study is guided by the perception that usable and realistic, based on both local seismic history and tectonic conditions, ground motion maps have to be produced for urban areas. The consideration of the earthquake scenarios into the policies for seismic risk reduction will allow focusing on the prevention of earthquake effects rather than on the activities following the disasters.