Regression analysis of Vs30 using topographic attributes from a 50-m DEM

The average shear wave velocity for the top 30 m (Vs30) is one of the simple predictors of earthquake ground motion amplification. We performed a multiple linear regression analysis of the logarithm of observed Vs30 at 1646 locations in Japan with three topographic attributes (slope gradient, surface texture, and the logarithm of elevation) calculated from a 50-m DEM. A Vs30 map was created using the partial regression coefficients. The determination coefficient was 0.318. The development of the estimation method of Vs30 from a DEM will be useful for earthquake vulnerability assessment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.