BLACKSBURG, Va., July 23 -- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University issued the following news release:
When an earthquake hits, its effects can vary wildly from neighborhood to neighborhood, shaking one area's buildings violently while just a short distance away, tremors hit with noticeably less force.
One reason for this difference is local subterranean variations known as "site effects." For instance, soft or loose soils, such as those found in many coastal areas, can significantly amplify earthquake shaking, causing much more damage to structures.
Understanding site effects is critical for designing safe and resilient infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, and transportation systems. Yet modeling and designing for t...