Regional and local factors in attenuation modelling: Hong Kong case study

Abstract

Seismic attenuation behaviour is controlled by a large number of wave modification mechanisms. The characteristics of some of these mechanisms are specific to a local area, whilst the remainder can be generalised to the entire seismic region. Factors representing these mechanisms are often not resolved. A new attenuation modelling approach is demonstrated in this paper (using Hong Kong as a case study), to evaluate individual regional and local wave modification factors. Shear wave velocity (SWV) information for the four prevalent geological formations found in Hong Kong was first obtained: (a) at shallow depths from instrumented boreholes; (b) at depths of up to 100-200 m from measurements ..