Proposed Geotechnical-amplification classification of geological materials in Murcia

In this paper a geotechnical-siesmic amplification classification based on geological data is proposed for the Murcia region, (SE Spain). The structural damages caused during earthquake are controlled by local geological condition especially surface geology conditions and topography. The presence of some kind of soil type could produce increase in the intensity as a consequence of seismic wave amplification. The factor of amplification which can duplicate or triplicate the seismic waves is directly related to the geotechnical (dynamic) properties of geological materials. Regarding this fact, we have carried out geotechnical classification of the geological materials, in order to see their possible contribution to this local ground amplification. According to this classification the amplification effect in the earthquake area varies from nil, where bedrock is exposed to high where Plio-Quaternary fluvial and alluvial sediments are present