Iraq Earthquake Contour Maps

Abstract

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the northern Iranian- Iraq border region, it was 350 km north of Baghdad at a depth of 33.9 km. The earthquake was felt as far away as Turkey and Kuwait. Until that moment the Iraqi researchers did not focus on the hazardous of Earthquakes. This research provides national seismic contour maps of Iraq. The use of values on the maps as design coefficients, replacing site-specific studies, is not generally considered best practice. The values are intended to give a general indication of the expected hazard level. Three maps are provided, with return periods of 20 years, 10 years and ne year, whole showing the depth and magnitude. Values were computed over an area bounded by 29 o - 39o N and 39o W - 49o E. The computations were made for points distributed on a grid at approximately 15 km intervals in both directions, and this defines the spatial resolution of the maps.