Deterministic seismic hazard parameters and engineering risk implications for the Hong Kong region

Abstract

The paper reviews and compares recent regional studies evaluating the seismic hazard parameters required to assess the seismic risk to engineering construction in the Coastal Region of South China (CRSC) including Hong Kong (HK). The review establishes that the CRSC, and in particular the offshore seismic belt, has mean earthquake magnitude recurrence intervals (MRIs) or return periods that are 2-3 times shorter than those in the eastern United States (EUS), with which the HK region has been compared. An ensemble of realistic design-level earthquake events suitable for defining the regional seismic hazard and for undertaking engineering risk assessment is then formulated, in the form of dete..