Ground Motion Characteristics of the San Francisco Bay Area Detected by Microtremor Measurements

Microtremor measurement was done mainly in the damaged areas in San Francisco and Oakland after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The observation areas were (1) the Marina District, (2) Cypress Street, (3) the Embarcadero, and (4) South of Market District. Predominant frequency (Fp) and amplification factor (Ap) obtained from a spectral ratio between horizontal and vertical components were evaluated for each observation cite. Difference in the degree of damage in the areas (1) and (4) was coincident with difference in Ap and Fp. Significant difference could not be found in Ap and Fp between the areas (2) and (3)