GIS-based earthquake hazard assessment of urban power systems - memphis electric substations

Using GIS technology, this paper studied and evaluated the potential earthquake hazard existing in Memphis electric substations. Two earthquake scenarios were selected in the potential earthquake hazard analysis at Memphis electric substations. The moment magnitude of each scenario earthquake was set to 6.5, 7.0 and 7.5, all of which would put much damage on the performance of the 44 electric substations in Memphis and Shelby County. The GIS map algebra approach was applied to the analysis of the potential hazard that would result from each moment magnitude earthquake. This included the reclassification and overlay of each spatial data layer. Four major kinds of data layers were included in the study. Results about the relative potential hazard existing at each substation were illustrated in tables and analyzed. The applicability of these results was also discussed.