The Santa Barbara earthquake of 13 august, 1978 |
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| Authors: | Richard K Miller |
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| Abstract: | Although the Santa Barbara earthquake was only a moderate seismic event, it was the most destructive earthquake in the United States in 1978 causing more than $7 million damage and at least 65 injuries. Reported Richter magnitudes ranged from 5–1 to 5–7, but estimates based on strong motion records yielded about 5–8. Due to the geologic features of the earthquake, the intensity of strong shaking was geographically asymmetrical, being much larger in the Goleta area north and west of the epicentre. Peak ground accelerations of 0–40 g were recorded near Goleta, while 0–23 g was recorded closer to the epicentre in Santa Barbara. The duration of strongest shaking was only about 2–3 s. The earthquake caused light cracking of shear walls in multi-storey reinforced concrete structures, as well as damage to highway overcrossings, many mobile homes and to rooftop mechanical equipment. Presented in this paper are the results of preliminary investigations of the engineering features of this earthquake. |
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