U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Characteristics of selected strong-motion records from the

October 18, 1989, Loma Prieta, California, earthquake and the
November-December 1985 Nahanni, Northwest Territories, Canada,
earthquakes
By
William K. Smith

Open-File Report 94-139

1994

This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with
U.S.
Geological
Survey
editorial
standards
and
stratigraphic
nomenclature. Any use of trade names is for descriptive purposes only
and does not imply endorsement by the USGS.
Box 25046, Denver, CO

Characteristics of selected strong-motion records from the

October 18, 1989, Loma Prieta, California, earthquake and the
November-December 1985 Nahanni, Northwest Territories, Canada,
earthquakes
By
William K. Smith

ABSTRACT

As part of a general study of earthquake-induced landslides, 87

strong-motion records from the October 18, 1989, Loma Prieta, Calif.,
earthquake and 17 records from the November-December 1985 Nahanni,
Northwest Territories, Canada, earthquakes were edited and stored in a
format suitable for further processing on a microcomputer. Values of
maximum acceleration, Arias (1970) intensity, Dobry (1978) duration, and
epicentral distance were determined for each record. The Loma Prieta
records are of interest because of the large number of strong-motion
records for a single large event, the characteristics of which may be
correlated with observed ground failures. The Nahanni records are of
interest because of the large peak accelerations (greater than 2.3 g
vertical and greater than 1.3 g horizontal) recorded for one of the
events.

DESCRIPTION OF RECORDS
Data Sources

Two sets of seismic records for the Loma Prieta earthquake were
examined and edited. Strong-motion records from U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) seismic stations were obtained from the National Geophysical Data
Center, Boulder, Colo. (data set SM-USACA45). Records from California
Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG) seismic stations were obtained from
the USGS Branch of Engineering Seismology and Geology in Menlo Park,
Calif. All records are from ground-level stations; records from upper
floors of buildings are not included in this report. Records of the
Nahanni earthquakes recorded by three seismic stations were obtained
from the National Geophysical Data Center (data set SM-CAN01). For all
of the data sets, there were generally three components of motion
recorded by each station.

Editing, Data Format, and File Name Convention

The original data files contained integrated velocity and

displacement values in addition to the corrected acceleration values (in
cm/s 2 ), and header data for each subset. Methods of correcting
acceleration data are beyond the scope of this report, but some of the
corrections are for instrument response, baseline drift, and certain
frequency errors introduced by the digitizing process. Filter data used

in processing each record is contained in the appropriate header file.

For an introduction to accelerogram processing see Hudson (1979). In
editing the files, velocity and displacement data were stripped and
discarded, and header information was stripped and stored in a separate
file for each data set. The remaining acceleration values were
truncated to a whole number of seconds of record, and were reformatted
from eight or ten values per line to one value per line.
File names for the Loma Prieta data sets consist of a three-letter
station code followed by a hyphen and the directional component of the
record. No file name extensions are used for the data files. File
names for the Nahanni data set consist of a two-letter station code
followed by an event code number, a hyphen, and the directional
component.
Lastly, each record was analyzed to determine Arias intensity and
Dobry duration. Arias (1970) intensity is a measure of the severity of
seismic shaking as recorded by a strong-motion record and has been
empirically related to observed ground failure by Wilson and Keefer
(1985). Dobry duration, called "significant duration" by Dobry and
others (1978), is defined as the time needed to build up between 5 and
95 percent of the total Arias intensity of a record. Characteristics of
each record are shown in tables 1 and 2 for the Loma Prieta data, and in
table 3 for the Nahanni data. The original digital data sets have been
released and are in the public domain, and are available from the
previously mentioned sources. The edited data sets from which these
characteristics are derived are not reproduced for this report.
Investigators interested in the edited records should contact Randall W.
Jibson, U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046, MS 966, Denver, CO 80225.

REFERENCES

Arias, A., 1970, A measure of earthquake intensity in Hansen, R., ed.,

Seismic design for nuclear power plants: Cambridge, Mass., MIT
Press, p. 438-483.
Dobry, R., Idriss, I.M., and Ng, E., 1978, Duration characteristics of
horizontal components of strong-motion earthquake records:
Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 68, no. 5, p.
1487-1520.
Hudson, D.E., 1979, Reading and interpreting strong motion
accelerograms: Berkeley, Earthquake Engineering Research
Institute, 112 p.
Wilson, R.C., and Keefer, O.K., 1985, Predicting areal limits of
earthquake-induced landsliding, in Ziony, J.I., ed., Evaluating
earthquake hazards in the Los Angeles region An earth-science
perspective: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1360, p.
317-345.

ADC-340
ADC-UP
ADC-250

Anderson Dam, Crest

Anderson Dam, Crest
Anderson Dam, Crest
Anderson Dam, Left Abutment
Anderson Dam, Left Abutment
Anderson Dam, Left Abutment
Anderson Dam, Downstream
Anderson Dam, Downstream
Anderson Dam, Downstream
Sunnyvale, CoI ton Avenue
Sunn/vale, CoI ton Avenue
Sunnyvale, CoI ton Avenue
Hoi lister Airport Differential Array
HoUister Airport Differential Array
Hollister Airport Differential Array
Palo Alto VA Hospital, Basement
Palo Alto VA Hospital, Basement
Palo Alto VA Hospital, Basement
Hollister City Hall Annex
Hoi lister City Hall Annex
Hollister City Hall Annex
Stanford University, SLAC Test Lab.
Stanford University, SLAC Test Lab.
Stanford University, SLAC Test Lab.
Stanford University Parking Garage
Stanford University Parking Garage
Stanford University Parking Garage
ADL-340
ADL-UP
ADL-250
ADD -340
ADD -UP
ADD-250
SNV-360
SNV-UP
SNV-270
HAO-255
HAD -UP
HAO-165
PAV-302
PAV-UP
PAV-212
HCH-180
HCH-UP
HCH-090
SUL-360
SUL-UP
SUL-270
SUP -360
SUP -UP
SUP-090

File Name

Station Location
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
8000
8000
8000
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
4000
4000
4000

Points

No. of

0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.010
0.010
0.010

Digitiz.
Interval
(s)
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
40.0
40.0
40.0

Record
Length
(s)

-217.07
220.12
252.11
282.08
-91 .82
197.88
-255.02
-151.72
-215.99

-192.99
-378.16

215.15
-110.83
-210.36
-281.42
155.69
-276.98
-341.53

238.84

185.64

-238.79

-265.44
181.22
-381 .57
-78.88
-53.63
-59.71

(Cffl/S2 )

Maximum
Accel.

Table 1. Loma Prieta Earthquake, U.S. Geological Survey Strong-Motion Records.

Files contain corrected acceleration values at constant intervals. Records truncated to full seconds.

11.8

13.9
19.2
13.0
12.1
23.4
17.4
11.6
17.6
12.5
12.5
18.1
12.2

0.821

0.761
0.287
0.823
1.081
0.383
0.819
0.937
0.215
0.578
0.615
0.215
0.591

1.064
0.294

0.668

10.2
11.9
12.2
13.4
12.7
15.7
10.9
12.3
10.5
25.3
24.2
21.2
13.1
26.2

Dobry
Duration
(s)

1.478
0.437
2.316
0.090
0.053
0.094
0.840
0.339
0.836
0.786
0.183

Arias
Intensity
(ffl/s)

27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
43
43
43
45
45
45
47
47
47
47
47
47
51
51
51
51
51
51

Epicen.
Dist.
(km)

MPV-110
MPV-UP
MPV-020

Menlo Park VA Hospital, Bldg. 137

Menlo Perk VA Hospital, Bldg. 137
Menlo Perk VA Hospital, Bldg. 137
Calaveras Arrey, Fremont, Emerson Ct.
Calaveras Arrey, Fremont, Emerson Ct.
Calaveras Array, Fremont, Emerson Ct.
Apeel Array #2, Redwood City
Apeel Array #2, Redwood City
Apeel Array #2, Redwood City
TransAmerica Building, San Francisco, Basement
TransAmerica Building, San Francisco, Basement
TransAmerica Building, San Francisco, Besement
Emeryville, 6363 Christie Ave., S Ground Suite
Emeryville, 6363 Christie Ave., S Ground Suite
Emeryville, 6363 Christie Ave., S Ground Suite
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Golden Gete Bridge, San Francisco
FRE-180
FRE-UP
FRE-090
ROW- 133
RDW-UP
ROW- 043
TAB-261
TAB-UP
TAB- 171
EMY-350
EMY-UP
EMY-260
GGB-360
GGB-UP
GGB-270

File Name

Station Location
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7800
7000
7000
7000
11600
11600
11600
7800
7800
7800
7600
7600
7600

Points

No. of

0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005

Digitiz.
Interval
(s)

Table 1. Loma Prieta Earthquake, U.S. Geological Survey Strong-Motion Records continued.

39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
58.0
58.0
58.0
39.0
39.0
39.0
38.0
38.0
38.0

Record
Length
(s)
-117.10
-96.47
287.90
-142.56
-68.46
190.68
-222.52
84.52
272.30
-120.23
47.45
-104.18
210.33
-58.52
254.69
-124.17
-57.48
-238.75

Maximum
Accel.
(cm/s2 )
0.310
0.128
0.519
0.336
0.102
0.324
0.743
0.108
1.306
0.210
0.034
0.219
0.528
0.057
0.914
0.288
0.062
0.512

Arias
Intensity
(m/s)
25.1
17.9
16.6
17.8
20.3
17.8
11.8
16.3
8.4
8.0
19.4
10.2
15.4
22.2
8.9
7.5
15.7
6.0

Dobry
Duration
(s)

54
54
54
56
56
56
63
63
63
97
97
97
97
97
97
100
100
100

Epicen.
Dist.
(km)

CLF-000
CLF-090

San Frencisco - Cliff House #58132

San Francisco - Cliff House #58132
San Francisco - Cliff House #58132
Cepitola - Fire Station #47125
Capitola - Fire Stetion #47125
Capitola - Fire Station #47125
Corralitos - Eureka Canyon Rd. #57007
Corralitos - Eureka Canyon Rd. #57007
Corralitos - Eureka Canyon Rd. #57007
San Francisco - Diamond Heights #58130
San Francisco - Diamond Heights #58130
San Francisco - Diamond Heights #58130
Hollister - South Street and Pine Drive #47524
Hollister - South Street end Pine Drive #47524
Hollister - South Street and Pine Drive #47524
Oakland - 2-Story Office Bldg. #58224
Oakland - 2-Story Office Bldg. #58224
Oakland - 2-Story Office Bldg. #58224
Oakland - Outer Harbor Wherf #58472
Oakland - Outer Harbor Wharf #58472
Oakland - Outer Harbor Wherf #58472
San Francisco - Pacific Heights #58131
San Frencisco - Pacific Heights #58131
San Frencisco - Pacific Heights #58131
San Frencisco - Presidio #58222
San Frencisco - Presidio #58222
San Francisco - Presidio #58222
CLF-UP
CPT-000
CPT-090
CPT-UP
CRL-000
CRL-090
CRL-UP
DHT-000
DHT-090
DHT-UP
HSP-000
HSP-090
HSP-UP
OAK-200
OAK-290
OAK-UP
OH W- 035
OHW-305
OHW-UP
PHT-270
PHT-360
PHT-UP
PRS-000
PRS-090
PRS-UP

File Name

Station Location and Number

0.020

0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020

2000
2000
2000
2000

0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000

2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
3000
3000
3000

Points

No. of

Digitiz.
Interval
(s)
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
60.0
60.0
60.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0

Record
Length
(s)
-73.118
-105.734
60.564
-462.922
-390.792
-500.053
617.695
469.384
431 .056
-96.433
-110.801
42.397
361.900
-174.549
-193.207
187.280
238.329
-141.272
281.366
265.504
-65.087
60.207
-46.338
30.528
-97.912
-194.873
56.222

Maximum
Accel .
(cm/s2)

Teble 2. Loma Prieta Earthquake, California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG) Strong-Motion Records.
Files contain corrected acceleration velues et constant intervals. Records truncated to full seconds.

0.092
0.136
0.042
4.382
2.373
4.279
3.256
2.572
0.908
0.140
0.106
0.030
2.222
0.791
0.436
0.406
0.656
0.121
0.722
0.990
0.103
0.054
0.040
0.017
0.155
0.265
0.069

Arias
Intensity
<m/s)
10.3
7.3
12.0
12.2
13.2
10.6
6.9
8.0
8.2
8.8
9.4
15.6
16.5
29.7
25.1
11.9
12.7
20.2
8.7
7.0
19.7
11.1
12.4
24.3
10.5
8.6
17.7

Dobry
Duration
<s>

99
99
99
9
9
9
7
7
7
92
92
92
48
48
48
92
92
92
94
94
94
84
84
84
98
98
98

Epicen.
Dist.
(km)

RNC-000
RNC-090

San Francisco - Rincon Hill #58151

San Francisco - Rincon Hill #58151
San Francisco - Rincon Hill #58151
Santa Cruz - UCSC/Lick Lab. #58135
Santa Cruz - UCSC/Lick Lab. #58135
Santa Cruz - UCSC/Lick Lab. #58135
San Francisco - Telegraph Hill #58133
San Francisco - Telegraph Hill #58133
San Francisco - Telegraph Hill #58133
Treasure Island #58117
Treasure Island #58117
Treasure Island #58117
Yerba Buena Island #58163
Yerba Buena Island #58163
Yerba Buena Island #58163
RNC-UP
SCZ-000
SCZ-090
SCZ-UP
TGH-000
TGH-090
TGH-UP
TRI-000
TRI-090
TRI-UP
YBI-000
YBI-090
YBI-UP

File Name
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000
2000

No. of
Points

0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.020

Interval
(s)

Digitiz.

40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0

Record
Length
(s)
-78.611
88.515
-28.429
-433.117
401.543
-324.573
-51.207
90.514
-31.855
97.935
-155.849
15.858
28.081
-65.843
26.952

Maximum
Accel.
(cm/s2 )
0.055
0.068
0.018
2.666
2.044
1.072
0.026
0.046
0.009
0.144
0.361
0.002
0.016
0.043
0.012

Arias
Intensity
(m/s)

Loma Prieta Earthquake, California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG) Strong-Motion Records continued.

Station Location and Number

Tabla 2.

13.9
11.5
19.7
9.5
9.7
9.7
11.5
9.5
23.0
6.0
4.5
25.4
21.7
8.3
21.0

Dobry
Duration
(s)

95
95
95
16
16
16
97
97
97
98
98
98
96
96
96

Epicen.
Dist.
(km)

1800
1800
1800

4000
4000
4000
3600
3600
3800
3800
3800

2000
2000
2000

1800
1800
1800

Earthquake of December 23, 1985, D515 GMT

Iverson (Site 1)
IV2-010
Iverson (Site 1)
IV2-UP
Iverson (Site 1)
IV2-280
Slide Mountain (Site 2)
SM2-330
Slide Mountain (Site 2)
SM2-240
Battlement Creek (Site 3)
BC2-360
Battlement Creek (Site 3)
BC2-UP
Battlement Creek (Site 3)
BC2-270

Earthquake of December 23, 1985, 0548 GMT

Iverson (Site 1)
IV3-010
Iverson (Site 1)
IV3-UP
IV3-280
Iverson (Site 1)

Earthquake of December 25, 1985, 1543 GMT

Battlement Creek (Site 3)
BC4-360
Battlement Creek (Site 3)
BC4-UP
BC4-270
Battlement Creek (Site 3)

File Name

Earthquake of November 9, 1985, 0446 GMT

Slide Mountain (Site 2)
SM1-330
Slide Mountain (Site 2)
SM1 -UP
Slide Mountain (Site 2)
SM1-24D

Station Location

No. of
Points

0.005
0.005
0.005

0.005
0.005
0.005

0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
0.005
O.OD5
O.OD5
0.005

0.005
0.005
0.005

Digitiz.
Interval
(s)

9.D
9.0
9.0

10.0
10.0
10.0

20.0
20.0
20. D
18.0
18.0
19.0
19.0
19.0

9.0
9.D
9.0

Record
Length
(s)

-103.19
-72.80
-88.41

224.13
110.06
87.69

956.66
2322.38
-1319.08
386.46
534.44
-190.20
178.04
191.64

-374.27
-249.08
-450.96

Maximum
Accel.
(cm/s2 )

0.028
0.019
0.024

0.079
O.D33
D.035

4.447
4.571
4.044
1.064
0.992
0.417
0.285
0.406

0.085
0.051
0.098

Arias
Intensity
(m/s)

3.8
4.5
3.5

4.1
4.6
4.5

8.0
7.5
8.0
9.6
9.9
12.0
11.7
11.3

0.6
0.7
0.4

Dobry
Duration
(s)

Table 3. Naharmi, Northwest Territories, Earthquakes of November-December 1985. Geological Survey of Canada Strong-Motion Records.
Files contain corrected acceleration values at constant intervals. Records truncated to full seconds.

19
19
19

7
7
7

7
7
7
7
7
22
22
22

6
6
6

Epicen.
Dist.
(km)