Addressing misconceptions regarding seismic hazard assessment in mines: B-value, Mmax, and space-time normalization

Abstract

Seismic hazard assessment, in some form or another, has formed part of seismic risk management in seismically active hard-rock mines for decades. Some misconceptions, however, exist in the mining industry which may lead to errors in interpretation and poor risk management decisions. This paper addresses some misconceptions the author has encountered in the mining industry. This is done by exploring the meaning and implications of the frequency-magnitude distribution. The meaning of Mmax, the methods of assessing it, and the topic of space and time normalization necessary for the evaluation of seismic hazard, are also addressed. The scope of this paper does not include the evaluation of strong ground motion exceedance which also forms part of the evaluation of seismic hazard at mine sites.