Application of MASW in the South Iceland seismic zone

Abstract

Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) is a seismic exploration method to evaluate shear wave velocity profiles of near-surface materials. MASW was applied at seven locations in or close to the South Iceland Seismic Zone, providing shear wave velocity profiles for the top-most 15–25 m. The profiles were utilized for seismic soil classification according to Eurocode 8. The results indicated that the sites that are characterized by sandy glaciofluvial, littoral or alluvial sediments fall into category C and the sites where the deposits are cemented to some degree belong to category B. Furthermore, the MASW measurements were used to evaluate the liquefaction potential at a site where liquefaction sand boils were observed during an Mw6.3 earthquake occurring in May 2008. The simplified procedure of assessing cyclic stress ratio to normalized shear wave velocity revealed that liquefaction had occurred down to 3–4 m depth, which is consistent with observations on site.