Comparison between recorded and derived seismic peak horizontal ground acceleration data in Jordan

The isoseismal map for the earthquake that occurred in the Jordan valley on 11 July 1927 was analyzed and used to develop peak ground acceleration (PGA) Attenuation relation for Jordan needed for use in relevant seismic hazard evaluation procedures. Strong motion data of earthquakes that occurred in Jordan and Israel during the last fifteen years were summarized. A comparison was made between recorded PGA's and those calculated using the derived Attenuation relation and that developed by Esteva (1974) that is commonly used by experts in the region. The comparison showed that the derived relation is appropriate for estimating PGA values on alluvium foundations. The derived relation gave results close to those obtained using the Esteva (1974) relation.