APPLICATION OF MICROTREMOR MEASUREMENTS TO THE ESTIMATION OF EARTHQUAKE GROUND MOTIONS IN KUSHIRO CITY DURING THE KUSHIRO-OKI EARTHQUAKE OF 15 JANUARY 1993

Microtremor measurements were conducted in Kushiro City, Hokkaido Island of Japan. The thickness of alluvial deposits in the central area of Kushiro City abruptly changes from 0 to 80 m. Predominant ground motion at a microtremor measuring site is represented by the spectral ratio, the ratio of Fourier amplitude spectrum of microtremor in the horizontal direction to that in the vertical direction. The peak frequency of the spectral ratio corresponds well to the predominant frequency estimated from the thickness of alluvial layer at each site. Based on a hypothesis that the spectral ratio can be regarded identical with a half of the amplification factor from diluvial bed rock to the ground surface, the strong ground motion due to the Kushiro-oki earthquake at each site is estimated. The method of estimation is verified by the comparison of the synthesized accelerogram with the recorded one at West Port of Kushiro. The results satisfactorily explain major damages and vibrations felt in Kushiro City during the earthquake.