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Probabilistic assessment of earthquake hazard in Sinai in relation to the seismicity in the eastern Mediterranean region

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Abstract

Sinai is surrounded by the most active seismic trends in Egypt and earthquake risk reduction has become an important ongoing socio-economic concern. Twenty-five earthquake source zones were used to define the seismicity of the eastern Mediterranean region. Peak ground acceleration (PGA) values with a 90% probability of not being exceeded in 50 and 100 years were determined for the Sinai and Dead Sea regions. These indicated the highest relative levels of ground motion are expected in regions neighbouring the Gulf of Aqaba, the Dead Sea and the southern part of the Gulf of Suez. Other regions were characterized as having a relatively low to intermediate level of PGA values. The PGA values obtained will be useful for civil engineers, regulators and planners, in order to mitigate the effects of earthquakes and to plan earthquake resistant designs.

Résumé

Le Sinaï est entouré des plus actives zones sismiques d’Egypte et la réduction du risque sismique représente une préoccupation socio-économique actuelle. Vingt-cinq zones sources de tremblements de terre ont conduit à l’établissement de la sismicité de la Méditerranée orientale. Les accélérations de pic au rocher avec une probabilité de non dépassement de 90% en 50 et 100 ans ont été déterminées pour les régions du Sinaï et de la Mer Morte. Les plus fortes valeurs de mouvement au sol sont attendues dans les régions proches du Golfe d’Aqaba, la Mer Morte et la partie sud du Golfe de Suez. D’autres régions ont été caractérisées avec des niveaux faibles ou moyens d’accélération de pic. Ces valeurs d’accélération serviront aux ingénieurs de génie civil et aménageurs, afin de concevoir des structures résistant aux séismes et limiter les effets des séismes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. El-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

    M. El-Hefnawy & N. M. Gomaa

  2. National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, Cairo, Egypt

    A. Deif

  3. Siting and Environmental Department, National Center for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Control Ahmad El-Zomor, Nasr city, Cairo, 1175, Egypt

    S. T. El-Hemamy

Authors
  1. M. El-Hefnawy
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  2. A. Deif
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  3. S. T. El-Hemamy
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  4. N. M. Gomaa
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Correspondence to S. T. El-Hemamy.

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El-Hefnawy, M., Deif, A., El-Hemamy, S.T. et al. Probabilistic assessment of earthquake hazard in Sinai in relation to the seismicity in the eastern Mediterranean region. Bull Eng Geol Environ 65, 309–319 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-006-0044-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-006-0044-3

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