Report of Investigations--KGS
Abstract
From January 2018 to December 2019, the Kentucky Geological Survey monitored earthquakes and conducted research on seismic hazards in the vicinity of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, a former uranium enrichment facility, in McCracken County, western Kentucky. Six hundred forty-four earthquakes with magnitude between 0.5 and 3.7 were recorded in the area during this period. Research focused on the influence of the thick sediments on earthquake ground motion, the so-called site response, through theoretical and data analysis of borehole seismic records. Our research has shown that the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program site classification, which is based on Vs30, and correction factors currently being used in earthquake engineering design and other safety evaluations are not appropriate to account for site response in the area.
Publication Date
10-23-2020
Series
Series XIII
Report Number
Report of Investigations 12
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/kgs.ri12.13
Repository Citation
Wang, Zhenming; Carpenter, N. Seth; and Woolery, Edward W., "An Update of Seismic Monitoring and Research in the Vicinity of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant: January 2018–December 2019" (2020). Report of Investigations--KGS. 60.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/kgs_ri/60
Notes
Statement of Benefit to Kentucky
Continuing efforts to monitor earthquakes and conduct research have enhanced our understanding of seismic hazards in western Kentucky, which in turn has contributed to a sound scientific basis for developing design ground motions for buildings and facilities at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and for western Kentucky, in general.
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