Estimation of Strong Ground Motion Due to Hypothetical Fault Ruptures and Comparison with Recorded Values: The Zakynthos, Western Greece Earthquake of 18 November 1997

In the present study, distribution of the seismic acceleration at base rock level has been computed for the Zakynthos (Western Greece) M _s = 6.6 earthquake of 18 November 1997, using a semi-empirical approach, taking into consideration the shape and dimension of the fault as well as the direction of the rupture propagation. Considering the geological conditions of the region under investigation and a simplified amplification factor, the distribution of peak ground acceleration is obtained. The results derived in this study are based on the amplification factors and velocity response spectra observed in Japan. To get more realistic results we also incorporated in our model attenuation factors obtained by using data from earthquakes in Greece. Different sets of results are compared with peak ground acceleration values recorded by instruments installed in the investigated area and the validity of the applied method is discussed.