The expression of faults in UK seismic hazard assessment

Abstract

Earthquakes occur in Britain and faults move, yet traditionally little consideration has been given to active faulting in UK seismic hazard assessment. Increasingly, digital micro-seismic data and geological neotectonic investigations are beginning to identify active faults. Hence, procedures have been developed for incorporating specific faults within calculations of the probability of exceedance of ground motion and ground rupture. Using these procedures, scoping calculations are presented which illuminate the potential impact of active faults on these hazards.