Seismic Hazard and Loss Estimation for Central America

A new methodology of seismic hazard and loss estimation has been proposed by Chen et al. (Chen et al., 1998; Chan et al., 1998) for the study of global seismic risk. Due to its high adaptability for regions of different features and scales, the methodology was applied to Central America. Seismic hazard maps in terms of both macro-seismic intensity and peak ground acceleration (PGA) at 10% probability of exceedance in 50 years are provided. The maps are all based on the global instrumental as well as historical seismic catalogs and available attenuation relations. Employing the population-weighted gross domestic product (GDP) data, the expected earthquake loss in 50 years for Central America is also estimated at a 5' latitude × 5' longitude resolution. Besides the seismic risk index, a measure of the relative loss or risk degree is calculated for each individual country within the study area. The risk index may provide a useful tool to help allocations of limited mitigation resources and efforts for the purpose of reduction of seismic disasters. For expected heavy loss locations, such as the Central American capital cities, earthquake scenario analysis is helpful in providing a quick overview of loss distribution assuming a major event occurs there. Examples of scenario analysis are given for San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, and Panama City, capital of Panama, respectively.