Earthquake Loss Estimation Study for Somerset County, New Jersey: Geologic Component

Geological, topographic and test-boring data were acquired and analyzed in order to map seismic soil class, liquefaction susceptibility, and landslide susceptibility for Somerset County. Soils over most of Somerset County are stringer than the default values, so damage estimates from runs using upgraded geology are less than from runs using default geology. In a few census tracts damage is greater with upgraded geology because soils are more prone to liquefaction than indicated by default data. Total economic loss ranges from a low of $0.6B at M5 to a high of $35B at M7. Damage and economic loss for an M5 earthquake at the county centroid are similar to those from the 2500-year return period probabilistic run, indicating that there is a 2% chance of an earthquake occurring in the county in any 50 year period, based on the history of known earthquakes in the region.Prepared for the New Jersey State Police Office of Emergency Management by the New Jersey Geological SurveyPurpose: To study the earthquake loss estimation for Somerset Count