Dear Colleagues,
We are pleased to announce the posting of the
GEER preliminary report on the geotechnical effects of the 2010 Chile Earthquake.
The February 27, 2010 Maule, Chile earthquake (Mw = 8.8) is the fifth
largest earthquake to occur since 1900. Its effects were felt along 600 km of
the central Chile coast. The earthquake tested numerous modern structures and
facilities. Many systems performed well, although some did not. Geotechnical
responses in terms of liquefaction, lateral spreading, coastal uplift and
subsidence, seismic performance of earth structures, and site effects were
important. Tsunami effects and societal response and planning were affected by
geotechnical aspects of this event.
The NSF-sponsored GEER team documented the primary geo-engineering aspects of
this earthquake. Reconnaissance was performed remotely using satellite imagery,
efficiently through aerial reconnaissance, and in detail through coordinated
ground-based reconnaissance studies. All observations were geo-referenced. Some
key sites were further characterized using advanced tools (i.e., LiDAR, SASW,
and DCPT).
Many individuals participated in the GEER effort. This NSF-sponsored effort was
led by Jonathan Bray and David Frost. Special recognition goes to our Chilean
lead partners: Ramon Verdugo, Christian Ledezma, and Terry Eldridge, and to
others who also contributed significantly to the effort, including: Pedro
Arduino, Scott Ashford, Dominic Assimaki, Tara Hutchinson, Laurie Johnson, Keith
Kelson, Robert Kayen, Gonzalo Montalva, Robb Moss, George Mylonakis, Scott
Olson, Kyle Rollins, Nicholas Sitar, Jonathan Stewart, Alfredo Urzúa, Rob
Witter, and Nick Zoa. We also wish to acknowledge the support of the National
Science Foundation and the CMMI Geotechnical Engineering Program Director, Dr.
John Daniels.
We hope that you find this GEER report on the 2010 Chile Earthquake useful.
Jonathan Bray and David Frost
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